Expert: Michelle Lieberman - 9/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello can you please tell me what you think this piece type is?  It was describe to me a berry spoon but in Strasbourg catalog I have it doesn’t appear and I’m sure it’s not a berry cause I have those 2. I have never seen the scroll shoulders come down this far before .
Please help identify



ANSWER: Hi Jamie.  Could you tell me how long this piece is?

Thank you,
Michelle

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It measures 9 inches long and 2 3/4 inches across the bowl.  It is - Lion Anchor G hallmarks for Gorham Pat 1897 Sterling X Shreve & Co.

Answer
Thank you.  This is going to take a little research.  I've got a bunch of old Gorham catalogs I can go through, so will get back with you later today with what I find.


Well I was hoping to find a picture of something similar, but no luck.  I did find an interesting blurb that says about the Strasbourg pattern, "the ornamentation is continued upon the bowls and tines of the fancy pieces, producing an effect of richness and finish not otherwise obtainable."  Evidently your spoon is one where the ornamentation is on the bowl.

So what is it?  I'm not sure.  From the list of items made in the pattern (which, I can tell you, is by no means complete - my catalogs show quite a number of different pieces not on the list), I would guess it's either a large salad spoon (this type of spoon is for non-lettuce salads - the bowl of a lettuce salad spoon would be a smaller version of a berry spoon bowl) or a vegetable serving spoon.

Regards,
Michelle