A fine and rare Georgian silver mote spoon, with wonderful shell detail on the back of the bowl, which is pierced with an elegant design of serifs. The spoon has a slender tapering stem and a pointed terminal. Mote spoons were a part of the tea equipage of the eighteenth century, the pierced bowls were used to remove foreign bodies from the coarse tea, and the spike at the terminal for keeping the teapot grille unblocked. They were made for about one hundred years from around 1690, and were replaced by caddy spoons. The decorating of the backs of the bowls is characteristic of the mid Georgian period as spoons were placed face down on the table following the French fashion. The majority of mote spoons are marked either with the maker''s mark stamped twice, or with the maker''s and the lion passant symbol for sterling silver. These marks are usually worn and illegible. This spoon is stamped twice with the maker''s mark and the marks are unusually clear which is a bonus. An exceptional example.Condition: In excellent antique condition with good definition to the rim of the bowl and no damage or repair to the delicate pierced design. The shell motif is crisp and shows only minimal signs of wear. The maker''s marks excellent.Maker: JAMES WILKES, LONDON 1740Dimensions: 130 mm. 8g.Please have a look at my other items, I have many superb pieces of collector''s silver listed.BUY WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE. All my antiques are good collector''s pieces, ideal as special gifts, for investors or for resale by dealers. I offer generous discounts on multiple purchases. No quibble fourteen-day money back guarantee (purchaser pays return postage).Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information about this antique. Please quote the ''our reference'' number from the bottom of the listing.TO PAY BY CARD OR PAYPAL:• Email me for a postage quote.• Click on the ''PAY NOW'' button.• Put postage amount in the shipping box.• Click on the PAY button.To pay by Bank Transfer or cheque, please email me for details. I post within 48 hours of cleared payment (cheques take up to five working days). UK by next day Royal Mail Special Delivery, international by Royal Mail International tracked, tracking number advised.Please check the dimensions of the object carefully as apparent size can be deceptive.The silver is photographed in flat natural light, but silver is so reflective that black spots from the camera, and other reflections are sometimes unavoidable.All weights and sizes given are approximate.International buyers please note: You are responsible for any taxes or charges levied in your country.I prefer to receive payment by direct bank transfer where possible, please contact me.FREE WORLD WIDE POSTAGE. Postage within the UK by Royal Mail Special Delivery next day tracked and signed for service, postage overseas by Royal Mail Special Delivery 3 to 5 day tracked and signed for ...