waxantiques

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 Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls.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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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 Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls.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.

  • 1697

    William Fawdery

    10235 William III Antique Silver Cannon Handle Spoon

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    A massive antique sterling silver hash spoon with the long tubular handle and a large deep bowl with a rattail extension to the underside. This elegant form is known as a Cannon handled spoon and can be used as a basting or stuffing spoon. Very useful size. To the reverse of the handle terminal there is an intricate hand engraved armorial. Weight 234 grams, 7.5 troy oz. Length 44.5cm. Bowl 10.4 x 7.5cm. London 1697. Maker probably William Fawdery. Britannia standard silver.

  • Circa 1730 - 1754

     

    10252 Set of 4 Antique Silver Trefid Spoons

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    An excellent quality harlequin set of antique silver serving spoons with shaped handle terminals known as “trefid” form. Bright gilt finish. All with a deeply chased pattern of scroll and foliate designs on a stipple engraved ground, and a hand engraved crest of a lion holding a rose. These spoons were expertly remodelled during the 19th century from plain Hanoverian pattern spoons and fitted into a presentation box. Total weight 216 grams, 6.9 troy ounces. Length 20cm. Bowl 7×4.6cm. Different makers. London c.1730-1754. Sterling silver.

  • Circa 1770

     

    10296 William and Mary Antique Silver Toddy Ladle

    £575

    An antique sterling silver ladle inset with a 22 carat solid gold guinea dated 1691. Elegant, slim design with a twisted horn handle and silver tip. The gold coin bears the heads of King William and Queen Mary of King George to the front, and on the reverse there are armorials for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and the date “1691”. Owner’s initials “T over I*I” are engraved to the front of the handle. Total weight 45 grams, 1.4 troy ounces. Length 32.5cm. Bowl 8.4 x 5.7cm. Unmarked silver, English, circa 1770. Inset 22 carat gold guinea coin, date 1691, diameter 2.5cm. 18th century.

  • 1776

    William Sumner & Richard Crossley

    10268 George III Antique Silver Ladle

    £350

    An elegant antique sterling silver serving ladle with a shell shaped bowl. Excellent plain style. Large size and heavy gauge metal. Weight 186 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Length 33cm. Bowl – width 8.8cm, height 1.5cm (just under 1.5 inches). London 1776. Maker William Sumner & Richard Crossley. Sterling silver. 18th century.

  • Circa 1780

    Nathaniel Gillert

    10285 George III Antique Silver Apple Corer

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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 3cm. Lion mark only. This type of spoon was generally made in Birmingham. Maker probably Joseph Taylor. Circa 1800.

  • 1807

    Eley And Fearn

    10301 George III Antique Silver Ice Cream Spade

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    An excellent quality antique silver spoon in the shape of a shovel for serving pastry or ice cream. Heavy gauge silver with gilt finish. Made in the Kings pattern, popularised by the Royal family during the first half of the 19th century, it has a hand engraved “spur” crest and motto to the handle. Weight 208 grams, 6.6 troy ounces. Length 30cm. Bowl measures 9.9 x 5.6cm. London 1807. Maker Eley and Fearn. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 1810

    Eley‚ Fearn & Chawner

    10265 George III Antique Silver Grape Scissors

    £350

    An excellent quality pair of antique silver grape shears with the original bright gilt finish. Good quality cast silver with reeded handles and silver grape and vine leaf decoration. Weight 109 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Length 18cm. Width 5 cm. London 1810. Maker Eley, Fearn & Chawner. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 1823

    William Sumner

    10299 George III Antique Silver Serving Spoon

    £285

    An attractive antique silver basting spoon in the popular Old English pattern. The long slender handle is prettily engraved with bright cutting and a star pattern. Weight 96 grams, 3 troy ounces. Length 29.8cm. Bowl 9×4.9cm. London 1823. Maker William Sumner. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 1833

    Robert Hennell I

    10271 William IV Antique Silver Ladle

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    An excellent quality little antique silver serving ladle with gilded bowl and horn handle. Dainty size suitable for sauce. The bowl and terminals have a foliate design which is repeated on the handle together with pretty engraved flower heads. Length 22.2cm. Bowl rim 3.6 x 4.6cm. London 1833. Maker Robert Hennell I. Sterling silver. 19th century.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1927

    William Hutton

    9996 George V Silver Egg Cutter

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    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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