What is the age and use of this spoon?

[retiredgun]

Found this yesterday, a spoon made of cast brass or bronze, any ideas on what it is and how old it is? It's 4-3/4 inches long and 1-1/4" wide at the spoon. Found at a flea market site maybe lost by a dealer or customer.

 

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[Rancho Leo]

this looks like a lead ladle for making bullets. here is one similar

 

[retiredgun]

this looks like a lead ladle for making bullets. here is one similar

I am sure it is not a lead ladle, too short, would not hold enough lead, and all metal would make it impossible to handle when hot. It might also melt when the hot lead hit the brass or bronze spoon which is not too thick.

 

[trk5capt]

Looks Like A Melon Ball Maker... Just A Guess...trk5capt...

 

[Rancho Leo]

I am sure it is not a lead ladle, too short, would not hold enough lead, and all metal would make it impossible to handle when hot. It might also melt when the hot lead hit the brass or bronze spoon which is not too thick

Many lead ladles are small for portability and greater control when pouring lead for making bullets. here is a link to one currently being sold. because of the low melting temperature of lead, almost any metal can be used effectively for making a ladle.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/5462/2h/zeiners.safeshopper.com/images/s14z9io.jpg&imgrefurl=http://zeiners.safeshopper.com/436/cat436.htm&h=100&w=100&sz=2&hl=en&start=16&tbnid=cK8UrHEfNFoiRM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlead%2Bladle%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26newwindow%3D1%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox

 

[Montana Jim]

I think you have either a a victorian or pre-victorian:

Bon Bon spoon, Nut spoon, or maybe a Spatuala Salt spoon.

The victorian era lent itself to such opulance that they created a different utensil or every single aspect of preparing, searving, and eating foods.

Very nice find indeed.

 

[PBK]

This type of unusual "bowl" is also found on some tea caddy spoons.

 

[retiredgun]

Thanks everyone for your input it has been helpful.

 

[Old Dog]

Try a Sugar spoon.
The broad bowl of the spoon is to enable a more even sprinkle.

OD

 

[Shortstack]

I think it may be a gravy ladle. Gravy boats are a little bit oblong shaped and their ladles needed to follow shape. Not all gravy boats had spouts for pouring.

 

[DCMatt]

Mustard or condiment spoon. Could be old, but they still make them... This one is from the 1940's.

DCMatt

 

[BuckleBoy]

Try a Sugar spoon.
The broad bowl of the spoon is to enable a more even sprinkle.

OD

Yeah, we always called this type of shallow, bell-shaped spoon a "Sugar Spoon." I have several in my collection--some are old and bear hallmarks. Are there any markings on it? Style-wise, it looks quite old to me...

-Buckleboy

 

[downindixie]

Looks like an oyster spoon to me.

 

[Old Dog]

I have seen several different types of sugar shells. Or shell shaped bowls of spoons used for granulated sugar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_spoon

This should explain a little.

OD