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What-is-it question CLXXXIV.


A product of the Meriden Silver Plate Co. of Toronto:



The item was illustrated in their 1883 catalogue, it gives no indication, that I can see, of the size.

It was sold to be used for a specific purpose. What is the use of this piece?

Trev.

Hi Trev,

Epergne centerpiece to hold sweet smelling flowers with a hoovering colibri above ?

Best,

Oel

Hi Peter,

It certainly looks like a very suitable piece for your suggestion, but no, that is not what this piece was sold for.

Regards, Trev.

I believe this is a wine alarm. As the guests refresh themselves unequally from the white or red wines, the armature becomes unbalanced. This causes the bird to chirp, alerting the host that it's time to bring out another bottle.

Hi Kit,

What a great thought! You should consider taking out a patent for that idea.

No, the use is but a simple one. If I had to hazard a guess on the height, I should think about 15".

Regards, Trev.

That it is gilt lined is throwing me...

I do know the answer because I've seen the catalog, but I don't think I would have ever guessed. There is something peculiar to me about the design of this piece. I'll keep the answer to myself for now and let someone else have fun with it.

Hi JL, and Silverly,

I too am unsure as to why it is gilt lined. As far as I'm aware, on this side of the water, we never really had anything similar for the dining table, so when the answer is revealed, hopefully one of you guys can explain some more about the role of this piece.

Regards, Trev.

The answer is a spoon holder:



I still am not sure if these were receptacles to hold serving spoons or to hold multiple spoons for the use of the diners. Also why would they be gold lined and why do some of them have the addition of a bell in the base?

Trev.

They held teaspoons, much like the sugar bowls/vases with the spoons hung around the rim, they're also sometimes found as part of full tea services; suspect the optional gilt interior was decorative, though suppose it might be protective if a damp spoon were returned to the holder, and the added bell would be to summon the help. The tall spooners, as well as spoon stands, seemed to fall out of fashion by the beginning of the 20th century, but there were a number of low flat teaspoon holders/trays of silver or china in production after that - the illustration below is from a 1922 Canadian catalog.



~Cheryl

That is the oddest one I have ever seen. I use one like the far right bottom row, it was never gilt-lined. The base is not a bell but a weight, otherwise it would tip over from being top-heavy due to the spoons.

Trev you stumped us all, good show.

The odd thing about the design of this spoon holder for me is the two sides. I'd say the gilding is sure to help resist corrosion and makes the item look more attractive.

Like Silverly, I'm familiar with the catalog, so didn't participate - do have a weakness for spooners though, and would agree this one is an eccentric form. Believe in asking about the bell, Trev is referring to two pieces shown bottom row, the second from left mentions a bell in the base and also the second from right, which has a call-bell as the base.

~Cheryl

Hi all,

Many thanks for the information and participation.

Regards, Trev.

Some catalog illustrations of other spoon holders...

1889, showing a double:


1889, sugar bowl/spoon holder:


1896, showing another double:


1896, showing a stand and a tray:


1897, scuttle form:


1897, spoon trays:



1917, spoon tray:


~Cheryl