Late Victorian/Edwardian Rococo Revival Salt or Demitasse Spoon
Decorative Art / Silverware (Holloware) • Unidentified manufacturer; likely American or Continental European (German or Dutch influence). Style is consistent with Gorham, Whiting, or Hanau silver workshops.
Style & Movement
Rococo Revival / Victorian Decorative Arts
Medium & Technique
Silver (possibly Sterling or silver-plate) utilizing casting and chasing techniques. The piece features a twisted stem and repoussé-style scrollwork.
Creation Period
Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century (Circa 1890–1915)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length; Miniature/Demitasse format.
Subject Description
A small functional spoon featuring a pear-shaped bowl attached to a spiral-twist (barley twist) stem. The finial is decorated with ornate openwork C-scrolls and foliate motifs characteristic of the Neo-Rococo taste.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Circulated). The piece shows significant surface tarnish (oxidation) and minor surface abrasions consistent with age and use.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $75 USD (subject to weight and metal purity verification)
Auction Estimate
$15 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Unknown. Likely part of a larger service or a souvenir set. Items of this type were frequently gifted during the Edwardian period or collected as 'apostle' or 'souvenir' style spoons.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the late 19th-century obsession with historical revivalism. It represents the height of middle-class dining etiquette, where specific utensils were created for every possible condiment or course (salt, sugar, coffee).
Notable Features
Distinctive barley-twist stem which provides structural rigidity while remaining decorative; ornate openwork handle that mimics 18th-century French goldsmithing.
Condition Issues
Heavy oxidation (gray-black tarnish) across the entire surface; potential wear to the high points of the ornate scrollwork; needs testing for silver content.
Conservation Recommendations
Non-abrasive professional silver polish or a mild phosphate-free soap bath; storage in an acid-free, anti-tarnish cloth or cabinet to prevent further oxidation.