Gorham Bird Nest Gold Washed Function?

[Aguest]

This bird nest spoon is unique in that it is completely gold washed. I have seen one example of another spoon that is also 4.5 inches and 0.38 ozt with a similar rounded bowl but it is not goldwashed. The bird nest demitasse spoons have a pointed bowl and no gold wash. Another large repository of birds nest describes an egg spoon that is 4.5 inches, but I have not seen a pic of it for comparison.

It would make sense that this is an egg spoon due to the entire gold-washed exterior. You would be handling a salty egg, so to preserve the spoon from salt erosion Gorham decided to gold wash the entire spoon, not just the bowl. The non-gold-washed spoon was described as possibly a chocolate spoon.

I have heard of one discovery of a birds nest egg cup in the original box, but I have never seen pics of this item. Does anyone have the article written in Silver Magazine circa 1990 that might help decide if this spoon is an egg spoon or a demitasse spoon or a chocolate spoon?

I bought a large lot of spoons and there are more spoons that I cannot figure out its function. Some Gorhams I cannot even figure out the pattern.

[Aguest]

All birds nest and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

[Aguest]

Aren't egg spoons usually longer than demitasse spoons?

[dragonflywink]

Though they vary a bit, at that size and shape it would be an egg spoon, the similarly sized demitasse (coffee) spoons have a regular bowl and chocolate spoons have round bowls. The egg and demitasse were produced in Bird's Nest, but doubt a chocolate spoon was ever part of the line. Suspect you're a bit too concerned with the gilding, while it's very useful to have an egg or salt spoon with a gilt bowl (egg produces near immediate tarnish and salt corrodes), it's also decorative and gilding would have been an option on pretty much any piece - have seen other all-gilt Bird's Nest pieces, as well as parcel-gilt and plain (keeping in mind that gilding is often worn off over the years too).

Have not seen the 1990 Silver Magazine article, but did read Dr. Hood's 2004 article on Bird's Nest in Antiques Magazine, very informative, and I believe that's where you would find the egg cups referenced (there were also open salts produced). This pattern was a limited-line, those items produced were mostly serving pieces and place pieces for breakfast, tea, dessert, etc. - a pricey pattern when introduced in 1869, most would have been presented as gifts in fitted cases.

~Cheryl

[Aguest]

Thank you C for the information, now this makes sense that Bird Nest primarily for breakfast hence the eggs.
The fork must not have been important at breakfast as there are no Bird Nest forks that I can find and I searched.

I see your point that the degree of gold wash is not really as meaningful as the overall shape and size and pattern.

[dragonflywink]

Believe the the nest with eggs, and usually a small bird, were just decorative elements, and though very appropriate, the pattern wasn't really primarily for breakfast, just not intended for regular dinner service - suppose you could think of them as 'accent pieces' for one's more mundane regular silver. It's been a while, so don't hold me to it, but seem to recall Dr. Hood's article mentioning that forks didn't appear to be part of production, so no berry forks or tea/dessert forks, though tea/dessert knives were made.

~Cheryl