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Caddy Spoon

1837-1838 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A caddy spoon is a type of spoon for use in taking and measuring dry tea from a tea caddy, usually small enough to fit inside the caddy. English examples were developed in the mid 18th century when the Chinese tea bottle was superseded by the tea caddy, having an opening large enough to accommodate a small spoon to dispense and measure the tea and when the cover (the thimble top) was no longer used as a measure. Caddy spoons were always required to be hallmarked, being excluded from the exemption of the English act of 1790 relating to small articles.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, with gilt bowl
Brief description
Silver, parcel-gilt, Edinburgh hallmarks for 1837-8, mark of Rose and Whittet.
Physical description
Silver, shell shaped bowl, gilt, spreading handle with curved end.
Dimensions
  • Height: 1cm
  • Length: 9.2cm
  • Width: 4.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Back of handle: maker, R&W - for Rose and Whittet, Edinburgh hallmarks, castle, thistle, date F for 1837-8, duty
  • Engraved initials (obliterated)
Credit line
Given by J. H. Fitzhenry
Object history
Acquisition RF: Fitzhenry
Gift - Fitzhenry Collection
Summary
A caddy spoon is a type of spoon for use in taking and measuring dry tea from a tea caddy, usually small enough to fit inside the caddy. English examples were developed in the mid 18th century when the Chinese tea bottle was superseded by the tea caddy, having an opening large enough to accommodate a small spoon to dispense and measure the tea and when the cover (the thimble top) was no longer used as a measure. Caddy spoons were always required to be hallmarked, being excluded from the exemption of the English act of 1790 relating to small articles.
Collection
Accession number
1247-1902

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Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
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