Get Vendio Gallery – Now FREE! Antique Austrian Salt Spoon Set Mascarons Palmettos. Easily one of the finest salt spoons I’ve seen; and there are two of them. The decoration is superb and unique. On the upper side, the handles terminate in a mascaron framed by two flaming torches, under a star, on a very finely textured ground. The flaming torch is a symbol of hope, enlightenment and freedom. Pointed upwards, as the torches on these spoons are, the flaming torch symbolizes life, truth and the regenerative power of fire. Is the mascaron a champion, an angel, an athlete or God? An impressive palmetto with flowers at either end climbs the mid point of the handle. This also forms a cartouche with a fine textured ground. The other side of the spoon is also richly decorated with a floral and shell confection. There is clearly a spot for a monogram; and there is no monogram on these spoons. The bowls are gold washed. Yet another remarkable feature is the size of these spoons. I’ve included a photo with this spoon set next to a couple of other salt spoons. The length is 4 3/8; large enough for serving condiments. Rather useful in dating the piece. This mark went on after 1872 to include a city letter. The number three can be found on the lower left portion of the mark; the guarantee for. There is a maker’s punch that is pretty well worn. On one spoon the initials CK may be clearly made out; and that there is an initial ahead of the C. It is very tempting to compare the mark to that of Josef Carl Klinkosch , Imperial Silversmith to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Please see photos of both marks below. Certainly the quality and uniqueness of these spoons would be consistent with the work of perhaps the finest Austrian master-smith of the late 1800’s. Finally, both spoons bear a French guarantee for silver pieces imported into France, A Swan punch, indicating import into France after 1893. I was quite surprised to learn early on in my antique sterling ventures that the guarantee marks cost a pretty penny to be punched on silver objects; both in country and imported into country. So someone paid to have the swan marks placed on these salt spoons! Other dimensions: as noted, the spoons are 4 7/8 long. They are nearly 1 at the widest point; and each weighs 15 grams. Please visit our Bonheur du Jour Antiques gallery! The item “Pair Antique Austrian Salt Spoon Set Mascarons Palmettos” is in sale since Tuesday, October 18, 2011. This item is in the category “Antiques\Silver\Sterling Silver (.925)\Salt Cellars”. The seller is “bonheurdujour_french_silver” and is located in Wayne, Pennsylvania. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Composition: Sterling Silver
- Type: Salt Cellars