A Fine 18th Century Silver Mote Spoon

Mote spoons were 18th Century table items for collecting tea-leaves (motes) from un-strained tea. The long handle with a pointed terminal was for unblocking the teapot spout when clogged with leaves (18th Century silver teapot primarily had straight spouts). The bowls were pierced to allow the liquid to flow through while retaining the tea leaves (motes).

These rare items are much sought after by collector's This lovely example has the traditional oval bowl with cross foliar piercing. The handle is straight and has a steeple finial at the terminal. Unusually, the reverse of the bowl has a rat-tail. Dimensions below.

Postage and packing :- £10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£54.00 USA (including US tariff)

£22.00 Outside Europe

Condition :- Excellent, with no splits or breaks.

Hallmarks :- Mote spoons were bottom struck (marks above the reverse of the bowl and only ever bear the Sterling Lion and the Maker's mark).

Date :- c1785.

Maker :- Samuel Godbehere.

Length :- 15 cms.

Width :- 2.3 cms.

Depth :- 1 cm.

Payment by BANK TRANSFER (preferred),DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, STRIPE or UK cheque please. Great care is taken with packing and only 'signed for' postal options are used, where available. In the UK, Royal Mail Special Delivery is used, which is both fully insured against loss or damage and guaranteed next day (excluding weekends). If an item goes missing, or is damaged in the post, all available assistance will be offered to make a claim against the provider. Loss or damage in transit, is NOT the responsibility of the seller.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE. Due to the imposition by the US Government of a 10% tariff - after making payment for purchase, an invoice will be sent to all US customers prior to dispatch for the required amount, as items cannot be sent to the USA without the tax being prepaid. Alternatively, the tax amount will be added to postage. If this additional charge is not acceptable, please do not proceed with the purchase.

Returns are accepted if the item has undisclosed damage at point of sale, or has been seriously mis-described. Buyer pays all costs. If you are not certain that you will be completely happy with the item, please do not purchase it.

PLEASE CONTACT ME TO PROVIDE CARD DETAILS OR REQUEST BANK DETAILS. PLEASE ADD POSTAGE FOR PAYPAL/STRIPE AND PRESS PAYPAL/STRIPE OPTION. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR POSTAGE COSTS or with any further questions. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask. We would like your experience with us to be a happy one and will always try to be accommodating.

Thank you for looking.