Openwork Caddy Spoon, 1780

This is a fantastic example of a rare form of Georgian silver tea caddy spoon. The spoon has an openwork terminal to the handle  (i.e. it has been pierced out). This is a rare feature on small spoons from the 1775 to 1785 period and is most often seen on teaspoons and salt spoons, but rarely on caddy spoons. This is a particularly fine looking caddy spoon and anything prior to 1780 is an early example dating from the first decade of caddy spoon production. Excellent condition throughout.

The spoon bears two clear, well-struck marks to the back of the stem that date the spoon prior to 1784, when the duty mark was added and prior to 1781 when the date letter was first added to caddy spoons. William Brockwell was a specialist caddy spoon maker that generally employed distinctive features on his spoons - the waisted bowl on this spoon being a particular favourite.