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 Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls.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 Originally they had round bowls which were superseded in about 1735 by egg shaped bowls.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
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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 20cm. Bowl 7×4.6cm. Makers mark ‘IL’ over a mullet, within a shield. London 1689.
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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.
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Circa 1700
8638 Antique German Silver Travelling Cutlery Set
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A rare set of antique silver folding cutlery- knife, fork and spoon. All expertly made to be as compact as possible so that it all fits inside the original tooled leather carrying case. The knife and fork have steel blades. Each piece has silver hallmarks for Nurnberg circa 1700. Maker Christoph Hieronymous Clauss.
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1707
Henry Greene
7413 Queen Anne Silver Marrow Scoop
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An early English silver marrow scoop of plain design with an engraved monogram under the bowl. Britannia standard silver*. These scoops were used to remove the marrow from the bone at the dining table. Weight 43 grams, 1.3 troy ounces. London 1707. Maker Henry Green.
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1712
Lawrence Jones
8799 Antique Queen Anne Silver Table Spoons
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A pair of early English silver spoons in the popular Hanoverian rat-tail pattern. Lovely plain style. Britannia standard silver*. Each with a hand engraved monogram to the reverse. Weight 107 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. London 1712. Length 19.7 cms. Maker Lawrence Jones.
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1728
James Savage
9958 George II Antique Silver Serving Spoon
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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 39.5cm. Bowl 12 x 7cm. London 1728. Maker James Savage. Sterling silver..
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1730
Isaac Callard
8922 George II Silver Ladle
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An elegant antique sterling silver serving ladle with a shell shaped bowl. Excellent plain style. Weight 182 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Length 36 cms. Width of bowl 8.7 cms. Makers mark only struck 4 times for Isaac Callard, London. Circa 1730
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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.
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1735
John Blunt II
8205 George II Canon Handle Silver Serving Spoon
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An exceptionally large antique sterling silver hash spoon or serving spoon with a long tubular handle and a large deep bowl. Engraved on the underside of the bowl with initials “ICA”. Spoons of this type were introduced in the late Charles II period and continued until the first part of the 18th century. Weight 214 grams, 6.8 troy ounces. Length 43.5 cms. Bowl 11.7 x 8.4 cms. London 1735. Maker John Blunt II or James Brooker.
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1737
William Justis
9806 George II Silver Cannon Handle Punch Ladle
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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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1744
Micon Melun
8623 Antique George II Exeter Silver Ladle
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A rare piece of antique English provincial silver. A Georgian sterling silver punch ladle with an oval shaped bowl and turned wood handle. Length 34 cms. Bowl 7.7 x 5.8 cms. Stamped inside the bowl with a full set of Exeter hallmarks for 1744. Makers mark stylized “MM” for Micon Melun (see Jacksons, mentioned under Falmouth goldsmiths page 317, Pickford edition).
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1753
Samuel Courtauld I
9053 Antique Silver Serving Slice
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A rare early antique silver serving slice with an elegant turned hardwood handle. The pierced silver surface is decorated with foliate scrolls and flowers. Hand engraved to the reverse is a large lion crest crowned. Total weight 189 grams, 6 troy ounces. Length 31.5 cms. Width 11.4 cms. Sterling silver. London 1753. Samuel Courtauld I (Grimwade 2489).
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1760
John Hague
8672 Antique Silver Serving Tongs
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A plain style pair of antique sterling silver asparagus tongs (or chop tongs) with a corrugated inside surface to grip the food. Very simple and clever manufacture that would suit either a left or righted handed person. Weight 114 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Length 21.5 cms. One side is stamped with the makers initials “IH” and the lion mark; the other side is double struck with the makers mark. Maker probably John Hague, circa 1760.
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1762
George Baskerville & William Sampel
10275 George III Antique Silver Ladle
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An elegant antique sterling silver serving ladle with a shell shaped bowl. Excellent plain style. Hand engraved decorative initials to the end of the handle. Weight 177 grams, 5.6 troy ounces. Length 34cm. Bowl rim measures 9.5 x 9.2cm. London 1762. Maker initials “GB”. Sterling silver. 18th century.
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1766
Edward Aldridge
9158 Antique Silver Serving Slice
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A rare early antique silver slice with the pierced silver surface decorated with foliate scrolls and motifs. The elegant turned ivory handle has a green stained finish, very typical of the Georgian period. Hand engraved to the reverse is a double monogram in old fashioned script. Total weight 154 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Length 31 cm. surface 13×10 cm. Sterling silver. London 1766. Edward Aldridge II.
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1767 - 1769
7559 Antique German Silver Serving Slice
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A delightful antique silver serving slice with a graceful turned ebony wood handle. The pierced filigree silver surface is decorated with foliate scrolls. Length 38 cms. Marked on the surface close to the handle for Augsburg 1767-9.
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1770
Sarah Buttall
8485 Antique Silver Serving Slice
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A rare early antique silver serving slice with a graceful scrolled handle. The pierced silver surface is decorated with foliate scrolls and line engraving. Weight 135 grams, 4.3 troy ounces. Length 28.25 cms. Width 10.6 cms. Sterling silver. London 1770. Maker Sarah Buttall.
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1771
Carolus Benninck
8331 Antique Belgian Silver Spoon
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An early Belgian silver serving spoon of plain form from Brugge. Large size. Heavy gauge silver. Engraved initials to the end of the handle (reverse side). Weight 141 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Length 29 cms. Fully marked on the back with Belgian silver stamps for Bruges 1771. Maker Carolus Benninck.
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1772
Hester Bateman
8236 George III Silver Ladle by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver serving ladle with a shell shaped bowl. Excellent plain style. Made by the highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Weight 184 grams, 5.9 troy ounces. Length 26 cms. Width of bowl 9.5 cms. London 1772. Maker Hester Bateman.
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Circa 1773
James Hetherington
6108 George III Newcastle Silver Skewer
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An antique provincial silver meat skewer with ring handle, feather edge and attractive engraving to one end. Weight 111 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Length 34 cms. Newcastle 1773. Maker James Hetherington.
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Circa 1780
Nathaniel Gillert
10285 George III Antique Silver Apple Corer
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1782
William Sumner
8451 Antique George III Silver Soup Ladle
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A good quality antique sterling silver ladle in the popular Old English pattern. Good plain style. Weight 131 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Length 31 cms. Diameter of bowl 9 cms. London 1782. Maker William Suumner I (mark entered in 1782).
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1782
Hester Bateman
8148 Antique Georgian Silver Marrow Scoop Spoon. by Hester Bateman
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A rare and very collectible item by this sought after English lady silversmith. This George III sterling silver spoon is double ended, with a regular spoon end and a narrow scoop end for scooping marrow out of bones. Weight 59 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Length 23 cms. London 1782. Maker Hester Bateman.
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Circa 1790
John Heyland
8916 Antique Cork Silver Basting Spoon
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A rare Irish provincial sterling silver serving spoon with a sought after Cork makers mark. Long length. Plain style with an initial in old fashioned script hand engraved to the handle. Weight 107 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Length 30 cms. Bowl 9.2×5.5 cms. The bowl is solid and has no wear. Stamped 3 times with the makers mark only for John Heyland. Circa 1790.
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1792
8452 Antique George III Silver Toddy Ladle
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An antique sterling silver ladle inset with a Georgian silver crown. Elegant slim design with a long, twisted horn handle with a silver tip. The Georgian silver coin has the head of King George on top, and the date 1789 and armorials for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland on the reverse. Weight 40 grams, 1.2 troy ounces. Length 33.5 cms. Bowl 7 x 5.2 cms. London 1792. Makers marks uncertain. looks like GG overstruck with PB.
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1795
George Smith III & William Fearn
8151 Antique Georgian Silver Marrow Scoop
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A good antique sterling silver marrow scoop used for scooping marrow out of bones. Double ended. One end has a hand engraved monogram of interlaced initials in old English script. Weight 49 grams, 1.5 troy ounces. Length 20.75 cm. London 1795. Maker Smith & Fearn.
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1799
Thomas Wallis I
7652 Antique Silver Skewer
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An attractive antique sterling silver meat skewer (or could be used as a letter opener) with excellent quality cast shell handle and hand engraved snake crest. Weight 98 grams, 3 troy ounces. Length 30.5 cms. London 1799. Maker Thomas Wallis II.
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Circa 1800
William Fitzgerald
8402 Antique Irish Limerick Spoon
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A rare Irish provincial sterling silver serving spoon with highly sought after Limerick marks. Excellent plain style with the pointed terminal, typical of the late 18th century. The end is hand engraved with with a crest and the motto “Pro Rege, Lege Grege” (Latin for ‘For King, Law and People’). Weight 98 grams, 3.1 troy ounces. Length 33 cms. Width 5 cms. Marked on the back of the handle with the makers mark WFG for William Fitzgerald (worked at Mary Street and 15, Patrick Street, Limerick 1794-1824) and “STERLING”.
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1802
Henry Plumpton
8176 Georgian Silver Basting Spoon
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A good quality antique sterling silver spoon in the popular Kings pattern. Excellent weight. With the crest of a bird over a crown. Weight 206 grams, 6.6 troy ounces. Length 30 cms. London 1802. Maker probably Henry Plumpton.
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1803
John Power
8911 Antique Irish Silver Strainer Spoon
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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 33cm. Bowl 10.5x6cm. Dublin 1803. Maker John Power.
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1806
Arthur Murphy
7098 Antique Irish Silver Skewer
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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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1807
Samuel Neville
8150 Antique Georgian Irish Silver Marrow Scoop
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A good antique sterling silver marrow scoop used for scooping marrow out of bones. Double ended. Weight 53 grams, 1.7 troy ounces. Length 23 cms. Dublin 1807. Maker Samuel Neville.
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