6Pcs Stainless Steel Shovel Spoon Set, Creative Spade Spoon Fork Set, Novelty Spade Teaspoons, Fashion Tableware Shovel Spoons Stainless Steel Set for Family and Party

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Mustard spoons are classed as small items, and were hallmarked in a different manner to larger items during the late 18th and early 19th Centuries - seeteaspoonsection below for an explanation of the methods employed. For instance, a shovel can be used to dig holes or scoop soil, while a spoon can be used to stir a pot of boiling soup or scoop out food from a container.

Shovel Spoons - Etsy UK Sugar Shovel Spoons - Etsy UK

Butter knives with scimitar shaped blades replaced the spade in the 19thCentury, originally they too would have had turned handles, but by the 1820’s were made in one piece of silver and followed the standard flatware patterns. By the middle of the century they were being produced with resin-loaded handles made of either ivory, bone, agate, mother of pearl or other materials. From this date the handles tended to be carved as opposed to turned. Scissor action sugar nips superseded tongs at the beginning of George I’s reign (circa 1715) and were in turn superseded by tongs in a different form in the 1770’s. They reappeared, usually in novelty form during the mid–19thCentury.These items are distinguished by the elongated scoops, which were used to remove the nutritious marrow from bones. The silver marrow spoon came first (circa 1700), generally table spoon sized with the standard bowl at one end and the scoop at the other (top example in photo).

Shovel Spoon - Etsy UK

Some shovels even have special features, such as a serrated edge to help with cutting through tough soil or a long handle to help with reaching into deep holes. Pre 1781 - Bottom-marked with only 2 hallmarks (lion passant & Maker). Their date of manufacture can be estimated by their style and where possible from the working period of the silversmith. Early 18th Century teaspoons may only be marked with a maker's mark or sometimes none at all.

Butter Knives & Spades

Shovels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the small hand shovels used in gardening to the large shovels used in construction.

Shovel - Etsy UK Silver Plated Shovel - Etsy UK

However, upon closer inspection, there are some similarities between the two tools that are worth exploring.Shovels are usually made from metal, such as steel or aluminum, although some are made from plastic or wood. Shovels come in a variety of sizes and shapes, while spoons are usually round with a bowl-shaped cavity and a handle. Very small in size is the diminutive snuff spoon. They are generally less than three inches in length with the bowl proportionately reduced in size. Confusion can be made with miniature or toy spoons. They were made from the early 18th century. Beware ofForgeries. It is typically composed of a bowl-shaped cavity with a handle, and is used for eating, stirring, and serving food.