George II sterling silver mote spoon, circa 1760
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Directory: Archives: Decorative Art: Pre 1800: Item # 1300555
Directory: Archives: Decorative Art: Pre 1800: Item # 1300555
Please refer to our stock # 26C10 2616 when inquiring.
Antiques Collaborative, Inc.
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6931 Woodstock Rd., P.O. Box 565
Quechee, VT 05059
(802) 296-5858
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View Seller Profile
6931 Woodstock Rd., P.O. Box 565
Quechee, VT 05059
(802) 296-5858
Guest Book
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A rare Georgian silver mote spoon with narrow oval bowl intricately hand-pierced with scroll and cross motifs, attached with an elongated drop to a slender, long and tapered stem with diamond point terminal. Size: 6 1/8" length. Excellent condition with no wear to bowl, and with no breaks or repairs. Stamped at the bowl end of the stem with two indiscernible hallmarks (probably a lion passant standard mark and maker's stamp). The original owner's initials 'T' over 'L.S.' are engraved in block letters on the drop on the reverse of the bowl. Mote spoons are one of the most intriguing of spoon designs, first appearing in the late 17th century and continuing in fashion until about 1770. They are distinguished by their pierced bowls and narrow tapered handles with pointed tips. They were obviously associated with the tea ceremony, as is demonstrated by their appearance in boxed sets together with teaspoons, sugar nips, creamers, and tea caddies. However, their particular function is still debated. They may have been used to remove specks of floating tea, 'motes', from the tea cups, while the long handle could be used to unblock the strainer of the teapot when clogged with loose tea leaves. However, perhaps the most generally accepted theory is that they were the precursor to the tea caddy spoon, which appeared at about 1770, just as the mote spoon was going out of fashion. Tea in the 18th century had a lot of dust in it, so the piercing would permit the user to tap away some of the dust prior to placing the tea in the teapot.
A rare Georgian silver mote spoon with narrow oval bowl intricately hand-pierced with scroll and cross motifs, attached with an elongated drop to a slender, long and tapered stem with diamond point terminal. Size: 6 1/8" length. Excellent condition with no wear to bowl, and with no breaks or repairs. Stamped at the bowl end of the stem with two indiscernible hallmarks (probably a lion passant standard mark and maker's stamp). The original owner's initials 'T' over 'L.S.' are engraved in block letters on the drop on the reverse of the bowl. Mote spoons are one of the most intriguing of spoon designs, first appearing in the late 17th century and continuing in fashion until about 1770. They are distinguished by their pierced bowls and narrow tapered handles with pointed tips. They were obviously associated with the tea ceremony, as is demonstrated by their appearance in boxed sets together with teaspoons, sugar nips, creamers, and tea caddies. However, their particular function is still debated. They may have been used to remove specks of floating tea, 'motes', from the tea cups, while the long handle could be used to unblock the strainer of the teapot when clogged with loose tea leaves. However, perhaps the most generally accepted theory is that they were the precursor to the tea caddy spoon, which appeared at about 1770, just as the mote spoon was going out of fashion. Tea in the 18th century had a lot of dust in it, so the piercing would permit the user to tap away some of the dust prior to placing the tea in the teapot.