ANTIQUE SILVER TEA COFFEE SPOONS
Antique Silver tea coffee spoons Description:
Small size spoons designed to add sugar or sweetener to tea or coffee in a cup. Often made in sets of six or twelve.
Antique Silver tea coffee spoons History:
Although the import of tea and coffee to England began in the mid-17th century it was not really until the mid-18th century that spoons were made in silver specifically for use with tea and coffee cups. They were made throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods, and are still being made today.
Antique Silver tea coffee spoons Design:
There have probably been more designs created for tea and coffee spoons than just about any other piece of silverware. Ranging from the standard flatware patterns through to very unusual examples from the Victorian period. They were often made in sets of six or more with satin and velvet-lined presentation boxes. Many sets were made with enamelled or mother-of-pearl decoration either on the bowls or stems. Some were made with cast stems either in the form of animals or figural humans. Others were made as presentation sets for special events and often had designs which conveyed that, for example golf putter stems, rowing oar stems etc.
Antique Silver tea coffee spoons Collectors Note:
Always check each spoon and make sure that all the hallmarks match. Look closely at any enamelled or mother-of-pearl areas for damage. If cast look for cracks or repairs. There were a huge number of sets made in presentation boxes and many of the boxes are now in bad condition. If the box is in good condition make sure that it is original by looking at the indentations in the velvet which must match the silver spoons exactly. Very unusual examples, especially from the Arts and Crafts period command high prices.