6 Norie Collection Hilliard & Thomason Caddy Spoons, 1852-1879

This group of six silver tea caddy spoons are being sold as an ensemble as they have all been illustrated together on the inside cover of John Norie's "Caddy Spoons: An Illustrated Supplement" - see image showing each spoon side-by-side with its own photograph.

With such an illustrious provenance, it seemed preferable to keep the group together and show the range of decorative designs emanating from the Birmingham workshop of Hilliard & Thomason. The group includes the highly popular "Apples & Pears" (lower left, hallmarked 1852), "Lily Pads" (lower right hallmarked 1852) and "Vine & Grapes" (top centre hallmarked 1879). The floral example (top right hallmarked 1852) is a sought after form and the examples to the top right (hallmarked 1866) and lower centre (hallmarked 1853), although following the same tendril handle and embossed bowl theme, are much more scarce.

The colour photo shows the beautiful gilding that is missing from the Norie illustration. Also, not obviously evident in the original image (but can just be seen!) are two points of damage that ought to be mentioned - a tiny split on the left-side of the bowl at the end of the leaf (top left) and break in the right-hand leaf and stem (top right photo), these are shown in the final photo.

This is a fine looking group that is very competitively priced.