how old is it and who made it?

[Ian Gerhard]

i dug this spoon up on a farm in Northeast Pennsylvania. It appears to be brass or maybe bronze, i tried researching it myself but could not find anything about it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

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[nhbenz]

Welcome to TreasureNet! Are there any markings (even partial markings) on it? A close up of the top portion would help too. It's certainly an oldie (by US standards anyway).

 

[Mackaydon]

I'll ask the same Q. as 'nhbenz' asked: What marks are on the spoon's reverse side from the bowl through the handle? Is the 'bowl' actually a bowl shape or is it flat?
Don...

 

[Ian Gerhard]

Thank you for the reply, i looked it over many times and can not find any markings. The only thing i noticed is grind marks on the side, I think this was from a casting process. I tried taking close up pictures but my camera does not focus up close very well.

 

[Ism]

What about the back end, is it concave or flat. It looks like it served a dual purpose as opposed to a fancy spoon.

 

[Ian Gerhard]

the spoon ends are slightly curved, flatter than any spoon I have ever seen.

 

[G.A.P.metal]

man that spoon just screams old to me.. very cool find ,but i can tell you nothing more
Gary

 

[Ian Gerhard]

both ends have a slight concave, one end is smaller than the other however. the deed for the farm goes back to the mid 18th century. The earlier proof was lost to a fire.

 

[Ian Gerhard]

heres a view from the side

 

[Paleopilot]

Is that a metal rod going through the shank? If so it may not be a spoon, but maybe a whirlygig spinner.

 

[Breezie]

Your spoon appears to be an antique apothecary spoon, which had use of measurements on both ends. In today's world, it would be called a bartender's spoon. After all, they do mix spirits. Below is a pic of a 'modern' apothecary spoon, but you get the idea of how it is shaped on each end.

WELCOME to the forum. Neat find Breezie

 

[Ian Gerhard]

it looks like its all one piece i dont see any lines seperating the ends from the middle. anyone know an archeologist? or maybe a historian? i think it was used for measuring because of the ends being different sizes. thank you all for clearing this up a bit its been bothering me since i found it 2+ years now.

 

[Breezie]

it looks like its all one piece i dont see any lines seperating the ends from the middle. anyone know an archeologist? or maybe a historian? i think it was used for measuring because of the ends being different sizes. thank you all for clearing this up a bit its been bothering me since i found it 2+ years now.

Ian, as we say down South, 'bless your heart.' As you said, you've been bothered 2+ years on an ID of your item. Trust me on this one, it's an apothecary medical spoon. Of course, nothing is certain but death and taxes, so I'll say, I'm 99% sure this is an apothecary medical spoon. Don't let my blonde hair fool you. I've often though I needed to change my avatar for that very reason. Breezie

 

[Ian Gerhard]

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I think your right about it being apothecary, makes sense. I asked my friend, a history fanatic before i joined and he thought it could be very early maybe from the renaissance period. I liked the idea but I thought it to be unlikely based on American history. Unless it came over with a Pilgrim? Either way thank you Breezie and friends!

 

[Breezie]

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I think your right about it being apothecary, makes sense. I asked my friend, a history fanatic before i joined and he thought it could be very early maybe from the renaissance period. I liked the idea but I thought it to be unlikely based on American history. Unless it came over with a Pilgrim? Either way thank you Breezie and friends!

Thanks Ian for your vote of confidence. Actually I do believe your spoon is old/antique; perhaps 19th century. I don't think any of us could accurately put a date on the spoon without seeing it in person and without some type of maker's marks. It's a really neat find Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I have a steel spoon that looks just like it. Hard to tell by the pics but I always thought mine was for cement work.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Moulders tool? http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/210998-spoon.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think yours is bent.

Speaking of taxes, someone stole my SS number and I havent yet received last years refund. Im gonna be pissed if that someone files again this year in my name!! The first person to file, gets the refund but I have to wait on my W-2.

 

[Breezie]

I have a steel spoon that looks just like it. Hard to tell by the pics but I always thought mine was for cement work.

BCH, his looks like it has a straight shaft instead of an angled one like the cement tools, plus his is rounded at the large end instead of pointed.

I'm sorry to hear about your SS#. What did the govm't suggest you do? I'd be irate if someone stole mine, and what's the deal about the first one who applies gets the refund. Dawg, it doesn't sound like the IRS is too smart about that.

Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

When I filed with Turbotax it would not accept it because someone had already filed. The IRS will only accept one per SS number (the first one). The IRS wont tell me anything other than to send on paper which I did. . I filed a stolen identity report with police and the credit agencies.

I think the item in question could have easily bent but it still has the angles. It doesnt seem to have enough cup for a spoon. Hard to tell by the pic. Are all apothecary spoons flat?