Silver Pierced & Engraved Mote Spoon, c.1745
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Mote Spoon - Pierced & engraved - London circa 1745 by John Holland - 13.5cm long - DV/7338
This intricately pierced and engraved antique silver mote spoon is a real beauty!
The bowl is hand-pierced with crosslets and scrolls and heightened with engraved decoration to both the front and back. A lot of time was spent on this mote spoon! The heel to the back of the bowl is also engraved with the A.M initials of the original owner. The spoon has a tapering stem in typical style that terminates in a pointed end for unclogging teapot spouts.
The shank is punched once to the reverse with the makers mark that appears to be a script IH for the silversmith John Holland. This George II period mote spoons remains in fine condition with crisp decoration.
The pierced bowl of a mote spoon allowed the user to clear the surface of tea of the dust specks that originated from the wooden chests used to transport dry tea at the time.
