Very odd spoon

[Granmaa]

This spoon of 5" is marked on the front with a mark very similar to that of Henry Holland. It seems to have been clipped at the end. Can anyone tell me more about it?

Miles


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[dognose]

Hi Miles,
Whenever I seen spoons like this, they have always been described as medicine spoons, for what reason I have no idea, except that maybe they were marked on the front to show that they were purely a utilltarian piece and not to be mixed up with the table silver.
Are there no marks on the back?
Trev.
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[Granmaa]

Hi Trev,

That's the only mark. It could be a medicine spoon, but others I have seen have had full sets of marks. Why do you think it has been clipped?

Miles
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[dognose]

Hi Miles,
The only reason I can think of, is that maybe it was damaged at some time and someone has attempted to tidy it up. Unless it was a replacement for one lost from a fitted case and it was shortened to fit?
But it is strange that it is not hallmarked and I cannot think of a reason why.
Trev.
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[salmoned]

This item clearly seems to be one arm of a sugar tongs. Every odd detail suggests it to me.
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[dognose]

Its amazing, sometimes something stares you right in the face , but you can't see it! Well spotted Salmoned.
Trev.
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[Granmaa]

I can't help laughing now that it seems so obvious. I suppose the way it had been carefully clipped put me off the scent.
Perhaps some careless person broke their tongs and was tight-fistedly determined to use it for some odd purpose.

Miles
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[salmoned]

Exactly! Since I specialize in collecting tongs, I have developed some familiarity with the form. The length & shape, clipped top and missing marks all combine to 'tell the tale'.
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