The History Of Antique Spoons

Even before the time of Christ, spoons were very much in existence and for the most noble of houses it was not unusual to find gold and silver spoons in use. Unfortunately though not many of these Antique Silver Spoons survived as they eventually suffered the effects of corrosion and tarnishing. Gold spoons actually fared better. There are still however many Antique Silver Spoons that can be found that are centuries old.

As from the 1300s In the United Kingdom, silversmiths were required to mark their works so that the history of any silver item could be traced back to its original creator. This trend has been fortunate for us today as it helps current collectors to identify the age of their antique spoons. In this era there were many apostle spoons created. Each one carried an emblem and they served as a christening present.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, slip top Antique Silver Spoons came into being. The designs were fairly simple with the end of the handle part formed into a column with a flat base. The puritan spoons were much plainer Antique Silver Spoons. They featured flatter stems without decoration. The trefid spoon dates back to the late 1600s and was far more elaborate than its predecessor. The lace-backs and flame-backs are particularly revered in the collectors market as they feature quite an amount of intricate designs.

The dog nose spoon came in towards the close of the 17th century and this particular design was the first to follow the British standard of silver which consisted of 95.8% purity. The end of the handle was typically widened and featured some design. These are just a few of the Antique Silver Spoons that can still be found today. Most of the spoons made after this period resemble what is currently in use today.

As with other collectibles, it is not unusual to find valuable Antique Silver Spoons tucked away in a box in the basement. Although the art of collecting Antique Spoons is not very big, there are many families that hold on to their own as family heirlooms. Though it may not be very active, there are occasional finds that stimulate interest such as the 600-year old English spoon that went on to be sold at $20,000. Amateurs and aficionados can go online and find several resources that cater to Antique Silver Spoons collecting.

You will find more information on the history of Antique Spoon Makers throughout the centuries.

This includes the Victorian Era, Georgian, Lunt, Tiffany, Edwardian, Gorham, Reed Barton, Wallace and more.

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