strainer spoon
Mote Spoon
1774-1780 (made)
1774-1780 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The point on the end of the spoon handle was designed to remove blocked tea leaves from the spout of a teapot. The function of the pierced bowl, however, has been debated by historians. It may have been used to remove tea leaves from tea after it had been served, hence the name 'strainer' or 'mote' (a speck of dust) spoon. Other writers have suggested that the pierced holes in the bowl were designed to separate unwanted dust from tea leaves as they were scooped out of the caddy.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | strainer spoon (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Mote spoon, silver, English (London), no hallmarks, around 1774, mark of George Smith III. |
| Physical description | Mote spoon, pierced bowl and pointed finial, from a tea set |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Noel D. Sprague, Esq., through Art Fund |
| Object history | This mote spoon was presented to the Museum through the National Art Collections Fund in 1945 by Noel D Sprague, Esq. (see the Acquisition registered file 45 / 452). |
| Summary | The point on the end of the spoon handle was designed to remove blocked tea leaves from the spout of a teapot. The function of the pierced bowl, however, has been debated by historians. It may have been used to remove tea leaves from tea after it had been served, hence the name 'strainer' or 'mote' (a speck of dust) spoon. Other writers have suggested that the pierced holes in the bowl were designed to separate unwanted dust from tea leaves as they were scooped out of the caddy. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.24C-1945 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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