Rattail Silver Mote Spoon, c.1725

This is an early example of an antique silver mote spoon dating from the reign of King George I

The bowl is simply pierced with drilled holes and has a rattail to the reverse. These two features along with the long, tapering stem help date the spoon to between 1715 and 1730. The thin stem of a mote spoon does not lend itself to clean stamping of hallmarks and consequently this spoon only bears the "S" of a maker's mark. The spoon is in fine, collectable condition.

Mote spoons were used to skim the surface of a cup of tea to remove any of the dust that might have been acquired during the journey from the East in the wooden tea chests of the day. The pointed end of the stem could be used to unblock teapot spouts.