Help With Spoon Type

[Traden]

Hi all just wondered if this spoon has a particular use or name as the bowl is longer than usual.
I have looked but cant seem to find anything that matches the spoon is 12cm long in total and the bowl is 3.7cm x 2.2cm.
thanks for any help with this one
All the best to every one
Den



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[nigel le sueur]

Hi Den

l would call it a mustard spoon, not sure if you require this info but the maker is William Eaton, assayed 1834 London

Regards

Nigel
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[Traden]

Thanks for that nigel
I always thought the mustard spoons were oval in shape never really considered there could be different shapes i getting the hang of the dating and makers marks i'll have to start learning the shapes to
cheers for that
Den
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[salmoned]

I've also seen this called an egg spoon, though I don't know if it refers to eating eggs or the egg-shape of the bowl.
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[Traden]

Thanks for your input salmoned
The bowl of this spoon is gilded and after a little reading this indicates the use for food not just decoration have i understood this right or is the gilt hust for decoration ?
Den
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[SilverSurfer]

In the later nineteenth and early twentieth century, US makers were more prone to "gilding the lily", i.e., adding bowl gilding for decoration sake only. But for earlier Brit work such as your spoon (1834-35), usually the only gilded bowls were those meant for corrosive environments, that is, mainly salt spoons and mustard spoons/ladles. BTW, I am also interested in the origin of "egg spoon" for this style of spoon, based on shape or use?

SS
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[admin]

Hi,
The sulphur in eggs is extremely corrosive to silver, therefore eggspoons are also always gilded.
There are plenty of published sources for flatware & serving piece identification dating from the Victorian era. Can someone point us to a source that identifies the more obscure dining utensils of the 18th & early 19th centuries?

Regards, Tom
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[byron mac donald]

Hi Tom-

That is why I love this site! I learn something everyday.

Thanks-

Byron
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[SilverSurfer]

The sulphur in eggs is extremely corrosive to silver, therefore eggspoons are also always gilded.

So egg spoons are actually used for eating eggs? Like perhaps poached eggs in an egg cup? Makes sense re the bowl gilding, silver's Achille's heel is sulphur, but, again, I wasn't sure whether an "egg spoon" had name based on form or function. I have seen this form of spoon also termed a "jam" or "preserves" spoon, and so would appreciate knowing if it really was solely intended for eggs.

SS
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[byron mac donald]

Hello Tom (All)-

You got me searching for site for obscure items, here is one that I have just book marked, really interesting. I will let you know if I find any others.

Byron
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[nigel le sueur]

Well, that is something l never thought off "egg spoon" normally at auctions and selling sites called mustard or condiment spoons, will keep an eye out in future, very interesting

Nigel
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[Traden]

Well i have to say thanks to all for the info really intresting reading and the best way to learn i find so thanks all
any other obscure item sites you find biron i certainly would be interested in having a look cheers
Den
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[admin]

Just to clarify... the top spoon form with the dimpled bowl is one that I am sure is an egg spoon, almost always available in sets and always gilt, either overall or just the bowls.
The bottom example I believe to have also been originally marketed as an egg spoon, I've seen antique sets of 12 available, which does not make much sense for condiment spoons. But, I suspect that they were also originally marketed, singly or in small groups as condiment spoons.
However...I would like to know for sure.

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