Russian Shovel Spoon marked P.S

[wiggy131]

Hi everyone, would like help wit this spoon.

What would it be used for? Sugar Shovel?
Also the maker information and also does anyone recognize the crowned cipher initials, just in case there is a Royal connection?






Thanks
Vickie

[Qrt.S]

The maker is a Finn Paul Fredrik Sohlman 1837-1898?. Active in St. Petersburg around 1867-1898. The assayer is Ivan Yevstignejev 1870-1894. The noble crest is not Russian (Latin S). No Royal connection detected.

[wiggy131]

Thanks so much for your help with the spoon, that was very interesting to fine out about the maker and I had a look at the name and found out a bit more info..
He was a Finn born 12.8.1837 in Kangasala in Central Finland. Apprentice in Fabian Allenius's workshop in St Petersburg, journeyman 1856 and master
1867. In Sohlman's workshop worked as journeyman Hjalmar Armfelt who later became famous working with FabergAO.
In 1865 May 30th Sohlman married Maria Christina Ellonen born 11-1.1848 in LuumÃaki Finland.
Hope this helps someone else as well as me!
Best Wishes
Vickie

[Aguest]

:::: Is it a hooded nut scoop? ::::: Is it a deluxe sugar spoon? :::::: It almost looks like a cheese scoop, but somehow that doesn't seem right? ::::

[Joerg]

Spoons with this type of shovel are used (here in Switzerland, do not know about other countries) to scoop and measure tea.
Regards
Jörg

[wiggy131]

Thanks guys for the ideas, yes could be a loose tea scoop. I'm not sure if they would have nuts readily available in Russia in 1888, not sure about that.
Best Wishes
Vickie

[Aguest]

:::: "Russia is the largest producer of P. sibirica nuts in the world, followed by either Mongolia or Afghanistan. They each produce over 10,000 metric tons (9,800 long tons; 11,000 short tons) annually, most of it exported to China." :::::::

::::: Maybe this was used for tea, but a wealthy Russian household could have been scooping other things too, like pine nuts, which have medicinal benefits as well as being a food source. ::::::