Rattail Mote Spoon, 1730

This is a fine example of an early 18th century silver mote spoon with rattail to the reverse of the bowl. It has an attractively pierced bowl 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 a long tapering stem to enable the unblocking of teapot spouts.

As expected with antique mote spoons, the shank of the spoon bears two marks - a lion passant and the "E.L" makers mark for Edward Lee who registered the mark in 1729 (Grimwade ref: 605). The presence of the rattail, the style of the piercing and working period of the maker helps to accurately place a date on the spoon to the early 1730's. A great spoon in excellent condition.