Serving Pieces
Serving Spoons, Basting Spoons, Ladles, Serving Slices
Asparagus Tongs, Grape Shears, Sugar Nips
Browse our collection of antique sterling silver serving cutlery. These beautiful pieces are functional and decorative on the table and also make excellent gifts.
As formal table silverware developed during the 18th century many different forms of serving pieces were introduced with very specific functions.
Long handled serving spoons have been in use since c.1680 and the early spoons had tubular handles. These are usually termed as basting or stuffing spoons; the earliest super large size is termed as a hash spoon.
Punch ladles were introduced in the early 1700’s and differ from other ladles in the fact that they have turned wood or twisted whalebone handles. Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls. Later on lips were added and after 1760 they were often inset with silver coins. Silver soup and sauce ladles date from George II period and later.
The first fish slice, made in circa 1740, originally had a triangular blade and these are now highly sought after to serve cake and pastries.
Asparagus servers with a serrated blade and chop tongs date from the end of the 18th century.
Grape shears are not found until the 19th century. These are often in presentation boxes and can have beautiful grapevine decoration.
Tea Caddy Spoons, for measuring out tea leaves, were made from 1780 onwards. Many can be found in novelty shapes such as the collectible jockey cap.
Serving Pieces
Serving Spoons, Basting Spoons, Ladles, Serving Slices
Asparagus Tongs, Grape Shears, Sugar Nips
Browse our collection of antique sterling silver serving cutlery. These beautiful pieces are functional and decorative on the table and also make excellent gifts.
As formal table silverware developed during the 18th century many different forms of serving pieces were introduced with very specific functions.
Long handled serving spoons have been in use since c.1680 and the early spoons had tubular handles. These are usually termed as basting or stuffing spoons; the earliest super large size is termed as a hash spoon.
Punch ladles were introduced in the early 1700’s and differ from other ladles in the fact that they have turned wood or twisted whalebone handles. Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls. Later on lips were added and after 1760 they were often inset with silver coins. Silver soup and sauce ladles date from George II period and later.
The first fish slice, made in circa 1740, originally had a triangular blade and these are now highly sought after to serve cake and pastries.
Asparagus servers with a serrated blade and chop tongs date from the end of the 18th century.
Grape shears are not found until the 19th century. These are often in presentation boxes and can have beautiful grapevine decoration.
Tea Caddy Spoons, for measuring out tea leaves, were made from 1780 onwards. Many can be found in novelty shapes such as the collectible jockey cap.
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1689
9261 Antique Silver Trefid Spoon
£950
A good antique sterling silver spoon, the oval bowl with incised and beaded rat tail heel, the flat stem with a trefid pattern terminal. William & Mary period. Hand hammered finish. Owners initials to the front and back. Weight 51 grams, 1.6 troy ounces. Length 20 cm. Bowl 7×4.6 cm. Makers mark ‘IL’ over a mullet, within a shield. London 1689.
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1728
James Stamp
9958 George II Antique Silver Serving Spoon
£1,650
A massive antique sterling silver spoon in the popular Hanover pattern. Very useful long handled serving spoon. To the reverse of the handle terminal there is an intricate hand engraved armorial. Weight 271 grams, 8.7 troy ounces. Length 40cm. Bowl 12 x 7cm. London 1728. Maker James Savage. Sterling silver..
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1737
William Justis
9806 George II Silver Cannon Handle Punch Ladle
Sold
This is a fine example of an early English silver cannon handled punch ladle. Engraved on the back of the bowl with contemporary initials M.B. Weight 246 grams, 7.9 troy ounces. Length 36cm. Bowl 6 x 7.3cm. Stamped inside the bowl for London 1737. Maker probably William Justis (mark 3200 in Grimwade’s “London Goldsmiths 1697-1837)”.
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Circa 1800
Joseph Taylor
9856 George III Silver Caddy Spoon
£235
A charming little antique silver spoon with wire scroll handle, the bowl fashioned as a leaf. Weight 8 grams. Length 7cm. Width 3 cm. Lion mark only. This type of spoon was generally made in Birmingham. Maker probably Joseph Taylor. Circa 1800.
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1803
John Power
8911 Antique Irish Silver Strainer Spoon
Sold
An elegant antique sterling silver gravy spoon of classic plain design with a feather edge and bright cut engraving. The handle has a monogram of intertwined initials in old fashioned script. Weight 140 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Length 33 cms. Bowl 10.5×6 cms. Dublin 1803. Maker John Power.
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1806
Arthur Murphy
7098 Antique Irish Silver Skewer
£235
A good quality antique Dublin silver meat skewer with ring handle and hand engraved crest to one end. Could be used as a letter opener.. Weight 81 grams, 2.6 troy ounces. Length 31 cm. Dublin 1806. Maker Arthur Murphy.
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1829
Jonathan Hayne
7273 Antique Silver Skewer
£275
A good quality antique silver meat skewer with ring handle and hand engraved crest to one end. Suitable for use as a paper knife. Weight 96 grams, 3 troy ounces. Length 32.5 cms. London 1829. Maker Jonathan Hayne.
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1837
Mary Chawner
9827 Antique Silver Asparagus Tongs
Sold
An elegant pair of antique silver asparagus serving tongs with decorative pierced silver ends. Plain classic thread design which will compliment most cutlery patterns. Weight 203 grams, 6.5 troy ounces. Length 26cm. Width 3.2cm. London 1837. Maker Mary Chawner. Sterling silver.
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1844
John James Whiting
9561 Antique Silver Basting Spoon
£195
An antique sterling silver spoon in the popular fiddle pattern. Very useful long handled serving spoon. Initials “EN” engraved to one end in old fashioned script. Weight 134 grams, 4.3 troy ounces. Length 30.5 cm. London 1844. Maker John Whiting.
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1870
Thomas Smily
9206 Antique Silver Grape Scissors in a Box
Reserved
An attractive pair of antique sterling silver grape shears in the original green velvet lined box. Good quality cast silver with the original bright gilt finish. Grape and vine leaf decoration. Weight 118 grams, 3.7 troy ounces. Length 17.5 cm. Width 8 cm. London 1870. Maker Thomas Smily.
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1877
Barnabas Blackburn
6009 Victorian Silver Tongs
£150
An antique pair of sterling silver tongs beautifully modelled with claw nips.
Weight 65 grams, 2 troy ounces. Length 14.5 cms. London 1877. Maker Barnabas Blackburn..
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1878
Henry Holland
7971 Antique Silver Serving Spoons
£475
A superb set of 6 antique sterling silver spoons in the elegant bead pattern. Excellent plain style. Each piece has a hand engraved crest. Total weight, 6 spoons, 435 grams, 13.9 troy ounces. Length 22.5 cms. London 1878. Maker Henry Holland.
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1897
Allen & Darwin
9834 Antique Silver and Mother of Pearl Fish Servers
£495
An excellent silver serving knife and fork with attractive flower engraving. The real mother of pearl handles are good and chunky and have decorative sterling silver ferules and end caps. All in the original presentation box with green velvet lining. Knife 32.8cm. Fork 26.1cm. Sheffield 1897. Maker Allen & Darwin. Sterling silver.
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1906
James Deakin & Sons
9562 Antique Silver Basting Spoon
£195
An antique sterling silver spoon in the classic Old English pattern. Very useful long handled serving spoon. Initials “B” engraved to one end in old fashioned script. Weight 166 grams, 5.3 troy ounces. Length 31.5 cm. Sheffield 1906. Maker John and William Deakin.
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Circa 1912
Wakely & Wheeler
7080 Antique Silver Grape Scissors
£245
An elegant pair of sterling silver grape shears in the original velvet lined box. Very smart plain design. Weight 77 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Length 7 cm. London 1912. Maker Wakeley & Wheeler.
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1927
William Hutton
9996 George V Silver Egg Cutter
Sold
A rare sterling silver boiled egg topper complete with a full set of teeth. Ready to cut off the top from a soft-boiled egg. An unusual and very practical conversation piece. It would make a splendid gift. Weight 51 grams, 1.6 troy ounces. Length 10cm. Width across the handle 5.4cm. Sheffield 1927. Maker William Hutton & Sons. Sterling silver.
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