A beautifully elegant and genuinely usable piece of late Georgian silver, this antique solid silver tea caddy spoon was hallmarked in London in 1823 during the reign of George IV and made by the silversmith George Wintle.

Refined rather than ostentatious, this is exactly the sort of intimate domestic silver associated with the ritual and ceremony of tea drinking in Regency England — a period when tea remained a prized luxury, carefully stored in locked tea caddies and measured out with dedicated silver spoons such as this example.

The spoon has a wonderfully balanced and understated form, with a graceful fiddle-pattern influenced handle leading to a broad oval bowl perfectly shaped for measuring loose tea leaves. Unlike heavily decorated Victorian examples, this spoon retains the restrained elegance so characteristic of fine late Georgian silver.

The terminal carries an attractive period engraved monogram, adding to the sense of history and authentic domestic use accumulated over more than two centuries.

The hallmarks are crisp and clear:

* London assay office
* date letter for 1823
* sterling lion passant
* George IV duty mark
* maker’s mark for George Wintle

By 1823 Britain was emerging from the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, and Regency taste still dominated fashionable society. Afternoon tea and formal tea service had become defining features of upper and middle-class domestic life, and objects like this would have occupied a central place in the drawing room rituals of a refined Georgian household.

At 97mm long and weighing 12.19g, the spoon has an excellent feel in the hand and survives in lovely period condition, with:

* crisp hallmarks,
* strong bowl shape,
* no obvious repairs,
* attractive surface patina,
* and only gentle signs of honest age-related use.

Unlike many surviving Georgian caddy spoons, this example has not been over-polished and still retains the clean, confident lines intended by its original maker over 200 years ago.

A wonderful collector’s piece, decorative object or highly usable item of antique silver for anyone who enjoys tea, Regency interiors or fine English craftsmanship.

Presented in a gift box and ready to enjoy or give.

Maker: George Wintle
Assay Office: London
Date: 1823
Length: 97mm
Weight: 12.19g

A charming and increasingly collectible piece of genuine Georgian silver history.

From TicketyBooFinds – interesting antiques chosen for their character and craftsmanship.
If you enjoy unusual silver, antiques and well-made objects with history, do have a look at my other listings — I’m always adding interesting pieces.