1886 Glasgow Teaspoons

[Granmaa]

I have two questions about this set of spoons with tongs. The first is concerning the style: what is it called?

The second is about the identity of the maker, initials W over S.

Miles



.

[dognose]

Hi Miles,

According to the new Edinburgh site, it's William Smith (first mention 1873, died 1916) or William Sharp II, (first mention 1865).

Regards Trev.
.

[Granmaa]

Thanks Trev, I'll have a look at that site.

Miles
.

[Granmaa]

I found the mark on the site, but it calls it unidentified. Is there a good book for Glasgow makers, I wonder?

Miles
.

[dognose]

Hi Miles,

Unidentified yes, but it does state probably Smith or Sharp, I guess they must have good reason for this attribution. Perhaps they are the only WS's entered at The Glasgow Assay Office for this period?

Regards Trev.
.

[Kester]

I am new to this, but with regard to style, I quote from a house inventory, ... 2 Ceylon coffee spoons, with spiral handle and elephant on the end.

So ... coffee spoons with spiral handle!

Oliver
.

[Granmaa]

Thankyou for the suggestion, Oliver, but I was really hunting for a specific pattern name rather than a description. The design may not have a name of course; in the meantime, I shall refer to it as "Snowman" pattern.

Miles
.

[salmoned]

May I suggest "Twisted Ba-Bang!" ;)
.

[salmoned]

For the less ecstatic, I'd suggest "Bottle Gourd".
.

[georgiansilver]

It must of course be remembered that a lot of "One Off" patterns were coined at this stage in spoon history and many were never registered so short of finding a match.... I guess you could call it whatever you like.....
'Diball' might be a good name...
Best wishes, Mike.
.

[dragonflywink]

In American silver, patterns with a single ball are usually called "Ball Twist" or "Ball and Twist", might suggest the unimaginative "Double Ball Twist" for yours.

~Cheryl
.

[Granmaa]

What a proliferation of ideas! However, I still prefer "snowman" pattern followed closely by "gourd" pattern.

Miles
.

[admin]

Since the snowman is upside down, and this inversion of an iconic symbol carries an accepted association, think you have no choice but to officially christen the pattern - "Twisted Satanic Snowman"

Regards, Tom
.

[Granmaa]

Seconded!
.