This listing is for a lovely pair of Georgian Sterling Silver partial gilt berry spoons, c. 1814. These lovely spoons have an engraved design extending down the stem with a faint armorial on handle end. No monograms. The spoons have a scalloped/pleated outer edge with an elaborately berry decorated bowl with the design added at a later date to appeal to the Victorian taste. The silver is marked with English hallmarks for London, Sterling with date letter for 1814 and maker's stamp of Solomon Hougham.
Measure 8 3/4" long. Combined weight is 105 grams.
These nice spoons are in very good to excellent Estate condition with no noted flaws. The armorial is faint from wear and the back of the handles have signs of hand work from the engraving on the front side.
History: Berry spoons are a type of spoon that have a chased decoration of berries or fruits on the interior of the bowl. Silver berry spoons that have marks dating prior to the mid-19th Century originated as plain serving spoons with the "berry" decoration added later. This practice started in the Mid-19th Century to adapt earlier silver spoons to the elaborate tastes of the prosperous Victorian owner. Although today we categorize all spoons with the berry and fruit decoration as "berry" spoons, Georgian berry spoons didn't exist and these spoons should be more accurately described as a "Georgian spoon in Old English pattern with later decoration".
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