What is a caddy spoon used for?

A caddy spoon was specifically designed to scoop dry tea leaves from a caddy into a teapot during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These small spoons often featured inventive bowl shapes, including shells, leaves, and caps, making them popular collector items today.

How do I read silver hallmarks?

Silver hallmarks consist of a series of stamped symbols indicating the purity of the metal, the town where it was tested, the maker, and the exact year of production. Assay office symbols like leopards heads for London or crowns for Sheffield help establish the precise age and origin of the piece.

What is a marrow scoop?

A marrow scoop is a long, slender utensil featuring a small trough at each end designed to extract bone marrow from joints during formal dining. Georgian examples in solid silver were standard dining accessories before falling out of common kitchen use in later periods.

How should I clean antique silver?

Antique silver requires gentle washing in warm, soapy water followed by thorough drying with a soft cloth to protect the metal and any engraved details. Harsh abrasive dips should be avoided because they can strip away desirable surface patination and soften crisp hallmarks.