Colonial sterling silver tea spoon...

[K1DDO1979]

Technically this is the “work hunt #3” thread but the spoon deserved the title. HaHa
Im starting to like these quick stops during work because I’ve been having some good luck. I stopped today at a old site i hit other years down there before and were i found one of my other colonial sterling spoons. I was surprised to dig this one out today. I found it already ben and badly tarnished. Maybe ill clean it up eventually. I know its not the prettiest one but finding it made my 14 hour work day way more bearable thats for sure. I believe this spoon is early 1700’s because i researched before that the teaspoons of that time could possibly only have one single mark or none at all like this one. The one thing unusual about this spoon is where the bowl attaches to the handle it has like peddle shapes coming out of it. I know some things can be learned by the style and manufacture process so anyone with more info on this spoon is appreciated. Thanks for looking! [emoji2][emoji106]

 

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[Mdbri]

Rat tails are for reenforcement, your decoration does same.all colonial ones I’ve seen had classic rat tail.look up marks, that will tell most of story. The Who,where,and when.its hard to see, where handle attaches to bowl, is rat tail rounded or are peddles part of it, my first impression is it’s not colonial. But again , I can’t tell from pic how the tail is,

 

[K1DDO1979]

Rat tails are for reenforcement, your decoration does same.all colonial ones I’ve seen had classic rat tail.look up marks, that will tell most of story. The Who,where,and when

Thanks for the reply. This one has no marks. Completely plain except for the manufacture style which can roughly date it. I know its way easier for sure when they are hallmarked but Ive dug others like it that were marked. I know this is also sterling silver for sure with or without the marks! [emoji16]

 

[mhess22]

Nice spoon. I also like the buttons. Any idea how old they are?

 

[K1DDO1979]

Nice spoon. I also like the buttons. Any idea how old they are?

Not sure but i dug dandy and tombac buttons all the way up to the late 1800’s regular plain flat buttons at this spot before. My guess is mid 1800’s on these two buttons! [emoji2][emoji106]

 

[smokeythecat]

I think due to decoration on the bowl it is from Chippendale period, 1770's. BTW a competent jeweler who repairs holloware can restore it so it looks new. I did that to a couple I found. Not very cheap, but you take a black "thing" and restore it to a working, shiny spoon. I would highly consider that if I were you.

 

[K1DDO1979]

I think due to decoration on the bowl it is from Chippendale period, 1770's. BTW a competent jeweler who repairs holloware can restore it so it looks new. I did that to a couple I found. Not very cheap, but you take a black "thing" and restore it to a working, shiny spoon. I would highly consider that if I were you.

Im certainly fine with 1770’s. Thanks. What threw me off is no marks so i was just going by what i could find. I guess the smaller the spoon the less marks in most cases. I realize how lucky i got finding the other two sterling spoons not bent up at all. This one would look great straightened out and shined up i bet also! [emoji106]

 

[K1DDO1979]

I think due to decoration on the bowl it is from Chippendale period, 1770's. BTW a competent jeweler who repairs holloware can restore it so it looks new. I did that to a couple I found. Not very cheap, but you take a black "thing" and restore it to a working, shiny spoon. I would highly consider that if I were you.

Also here is a copy of part of what i read if your interested...
“Pre 1781 - Bottom-marked with only 2 hallmarks (lion passant & Maker). Their date of manufacture can be estimated by their style and where possible from the working period of the silversmith. Early 18th Century teaspoons may only be marked with a maker's mark or sometimes none at all.”

 

[smokeythecat]

It cost me $125 to fix each of mine, but worth every cent. Some of them sell for more than that anyway.

 

[K1DDO1979]

It cost me $125 to fix each of mine, but worth every cent. Some of them sell for more than that anyway.

I bet they look awesome! [emoji106]

 

[smokeythecat]

Here's the Tnet link the one. The "before" is on the right side of the first photo.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/my-best-finds/543834-1810-period-silver-teaspoon.html

 

[K1DDO1979]

Here's the Tnet link the one. The "before" is on the right side of the first photo.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/my-best-finds/543834-1810-period-silver-teaspoon.html

That did look worth the repair. It looks perfect! [emoji2]

 

[Hawks88]

Nice spoon. Congrats

 

[Phishfarmer]

Nice find. I'd like to see pics after it has been cleaned up.

 

[against the wind]

Thanks for the reply. This one has no marks. Completely plain except for the manufacture style which can roughly date it. I know its way easier for sure when they are hallmarked but Ive dug others like it that were marked. I know this is also sterling silver for sure with or without the marks! [emoji16]

Congrats on the Silver Spoon and buttons.
Very nice way to spend your lunch hour.
If your spoon was made here in the USA, it may be made from Coin Silver, which is 90% Silver. The silversmiths in this country didn't convert to European purity standards, (925, Sterling), until the early 1880's.
Of course it is very possible that it was made in Europe and brought over.

 

[washingtonian]

Nice find!

 

[K1DDO1979]

Congrats on the Silver Spoon and buttons.
Very nice way to spend your lunch hour.
If your spoon was made here in the USA, it may be made from Coin Silver, which is 90% Silver. The silversmiths in this country didn't convert to European purity standards, (925, Sterling), until the early 1880's.
Of course it is very possible that it was made in Europe and brought over.

I was thinking a possibility of that. Id be happy either way. Thanks for the info! [emoji2][emoji106]

 

[K1DDO1979]

I had a bit of time and did some cleaning and straightening of the spoon. I might do more cleaning another time but Its fine for now and looking better...

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice old spoon!

 

[sutphin]

DAMN NICE SPOON