Chinese Tea Tasting Spoons

[Pooka]

Hello,

I have two ? antique solid silver bamboo chinese tea tasting spoons. Each spoon is 230mm long and weighing 12.4g. There are marks in a square cartouche on the underside of the bowl and it is hard to know which way up they are supposed to be. Can anyone decipher these marks, eg. age, date, maker, place of manufacture, etc.? At the top of the spoon, on the first bamboo segment, is a small loop for passing a chain or piece of string through.

Many thanks for any help,

Greg.

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii6 ... 2382d1.jpg

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii6 ... ea1c13.jpg

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii6 ... 7db4e4.jpg

[dognose]

Hi Greg,

To me, they look more South American than Chinese.

If the handles are hollow, so that they can be used as a straw, then these pieces are likely made for drinking yerba mate.

This post explains much: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=19922&p=46344

Trev.

[Pooka]

Hi Trev,

Thanks for the reply. I read the article you gave a link to but the spoons I have don't seem to fit in with the description of the " bombilla ” alluded to. My spoons have a definite spoon bowl and not the rounded ends of a bombilla or any design at the ends which would serve as a filter for drinking tea with. The marks on the bowl could be South American but I have an inkling they look like Chinese symbols, and I'm thinking the true origin / purpose of the spoons lies in deciphering them.

Thanks again for taking an interest in my enquiry,

Greg.

[dragonflywink]

They're sippers - lemonade/iced tea spoons (sometimes called straw spoons), the rings/loops would have held little silver charms. Can't really make out your mark, but have seen similar sets of six (including one belonging to my Mom), most have been post WWII Japanese. Even if Chinese, suspect made for the American market, sippers were popular items here from the 1890s to well past the mid 20th century mark.

~Cheryl

Similar Japanese set marked 'Sterling 950':


1920 ad:

[Pooka]

Wow, yes, exactly like my ones! It was very difficult for me to photo the marks but if you are saying that they are probably Japanese and around about the time of world war 2, then I have alot of information now to try and nail the marks down. It was so nice to see the pictures of your spoons and the advertising flyer. Many thanks for such interesting info.

Cheers,

Greg.

[davidross]

Could you please post a clearer image of the marks?

Thank you,

David R

[Pooka]

Hi David,

Thankyou for your reply. I will post some more pictures of the marks tomorrow ( it's past midnight and I better get some sleep! ).They are very small so I will also try and draw them and take a picture of my drawing. Many thanks again, Greg.

[rauls]

The mark looks a middle eastern script for me...

[Pooka]

Hi David,

As promised I've done - I think! - a better photo of the marks on the spoon. If you zoom in on the marks in the photo, it is a fair rendition. My drawing is okay but not entirely accurate - a draughtsman I am not : ) . I hope maybe you or anyone can help with deciphering them.

Many Thanks Again,

Greg.

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii6 ... 7fea40.jpg

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii6 ... 4c3754.jpg

[davidross]

Hi Greg

Thank you for posting the additional photo and the very clear drawing.

As Rauls notes, the hallmark is Middle Eastern. This is an 800 mark from Egypt, probably from Cairo. (The mark as you've drawn it should be rotated 90 degrees clockwise.) With no other marks, it will be difficult to say much more about the spoon except that it is most likely mid 20th century.

Please have a look at some of the threads in the Middle Eastern section and compare for yourself.

Cheers,

David

[Pooka]

Great, thanks to everyone who helped me with this. My imagination is now wandering over souks and samovars!

Cheers,

Greg.