James Morison Silver Mote Spoon, c.1760

This attractive Georgian silver mote spoon bears the "IM" in script maker's mark of James Morison who was working in London during the mid-18th century.

The spoon is pierced with crosslets and scrolls to the bowl and has a mitre-shaped point to the end of the shaft. The heel on the reverse of the bowl is subtly engraved with original "NM" ownership initials. The spoon is appropriately marked twice to the underside of the handle and is in fine condition.

Mote spoons were used for skimming dust motes from the surface of a cup of tea (a common problem for tea drinkers at a time when the product was carried in wooden chests) and the long tapering, pointed stem was used to unblock teapot spouts.