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| Georgian Silver Mote Spoon - Philip Roker
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Reference: S11517
Period: George III
Year: 1766-1767
Silversmith: Philip Roker III
Place: London
Price: $ 280.00
Weight: 9 grams
Dimensions: 14.2 cm
Condition: Good, no damage or repair, all piercing intact.
Description: A Georgian silver mote spoon, made by Philip Roker III in either 1766 or 1767. The mote spoon is the traditional shape, with a pierced bowl, tapered handle and diamond point finial, which is quite sharp. The piercing has a central starburst design, surrounded by symmetrical scrolls and holes. The spoon has a long drop, which is also pierced. The spoon has 2 hallmarks, a lion passant and makers mark P. ROKER, which was only used by Philip Roker III for 2 years, hence our ability to date the spoon so precisely. This is mark 3753 in Grimwade, who ascribes the mark to Philip Roker II (who died in 1757, so we assume Grimwade is incorrect. The Roker family were specialist spoonmakers, and have left behind some wonderful spoons. Mote spoons originated in the early 18th century, and were used to skim off floating particles of tea leaves and motes (tea dust) from a cup of tea (Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware, page 217). The long thin handle with sharpened point was used to clear the spout of a teapot (when spouts were still straight) where tea leaves clogged it (remember tea leaves were coarser then than we are used to today). In the Plate Offences Act of 1738 these spoons were called tea strainers, but mote spoon or skimmer is the more popular description. There has been controversy over the years as to their actual use, as their practicality of skimming tea leaves has been called into question, for example some believe them better suited as olive spoons. The mystery and variety of piercing has made these spoons highly collectable today.
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Georgian Silver Mote Spoon - Philip Roker
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Georgian Silver Mote Spoon
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Philip Roker London Hallmarks
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Lion passant london hallmarks
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Silver mote spoon pierced bowl
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Silver Mote Spoon Roker
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