ANTIQUE SILVER CRUMB SCOOPS
Antique Silver crumb scoops Description:
A dinner table accessory used to remove crumbs from the table.
Antique Silver crumb scoops History:
This was a Victorian invention and the first ones were made in the 1850s, although they are very rare from this period. Most that are still around now date from the latter part of the Victorian period, and they were made into the early part of the 20th century. They went out of vogue after the first World War and are not being made today.
Antique Silver crumb scoops Design:
They were pretty much always designed on the same principle. With a wide flat horizontal blade with, on the rear side, a low rim to retain all the crumbs. The blades were often engraved and the handles were usually made from hand-carved bone / ivory or mother-of-pearl.
Antique Silver crumb scoops Collectors Note:
Silver crumb scoops are rarer than silver plated ones. The hallmarks should be nice and clear. Check to make sure that the handle is not damaged. In the case of ivory, bone, or mother-of-pearl handles check for cracks and any areas that have been obviously ground down. Also always check to make sure that the handle is not loose and there are no gaps around the ferrule (this is the piece of silver that covers the joined area).