Very Early Caddy Ladle, c1775

This is a particularly early form of caddy spoon and is struck with just the two marks that one would expect for the pre-1781 period (i.e. when date letters were first added to small spoons). This caddy spoon is a ladle in form with a deep round bowl and a curved handle. The handle is decorated with a crisp bright-cut engraved border in the style of the mid-1770's. Tea caddies during this period were only afforded by the most wealthy and so the family crest to the reverse of the bowl would be expected on such a piece of silver.

The makers mark is part rubbed, but can be positively ascribed as the IL mark of John Lambe. As caddy spoons are generally thought to have been introduced circa 1770, then this is a very early example and is in fine original condition.