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Origin and use of strange spoons ?

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:42 pm
by dinio
I received 6 silver spoons which are rather strange for me and that I cannot identify.

They are small (8 cm long) but heavy (16 grams each) and show an impressive decoration on their handle.

Here are the spoons:
Image

And close up pictures of their decoration:
Image


My first question is about the possible use of such a set. Caviar spoons ? Only decorative ? I don't know. If somebody has a suggestion, I would appreciate it.

They are all hallmarked with a 13 mark which makes me believe that they could be from Germany or central Europe.
They also exhibit another mark which looks like an animal, but not clearly identified: it seems that it has two legs (not sure) and a tail like a bird, but it seems also that it has two ears like some mammals !? This mark is delineated by a rectangle outline with upper corners cut. Is it a maker's mark or a town mark ? I don't know. I was unable to find a fit with a town mark in my reference documentation.

Finally these spoons are also marked with a french import mark which represents a weevil within an ellipse. This mark was used in France between 1864 and 1893 for imported silver products.

Here are the marks for silver purity and for import in France:
Image

and here are the 6 different marks for the town/maker:
Image

Could somebody help in identifying the origin and age of these spoons ?

Thanks for your help.

Dinio

Possible use

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:59 am
by Hose_dk
Caviar is a possibility. But I think that salt is also a possibility.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:55 am
by Bahner
Hello, not Caviar (to small for that) but salt or spices. Made in Central Europe, probably around 1850/60, they have someting of a Hanau or early Pforzheim touch. As to the mark - maker ? city ? - no clue, I found no match. Best wishes, Bahner

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:07 pm
by dinio
Thanks to both of you.
They are certainly salt spoons, even if I find the bowl a bit too large for that. For the mark, it will surely remain mysterious for a while...

Thanks again
Dinio