A very rare Sphinx Caddy Spoon made in Birmingham in 1881 by Hilliard & Thomason.
A very rare Sphinx Caddy Spoon made in Birmingham in 1881 by Hilliard & Thomason.
135382
This rare spoon has a curved shovel shaped bowl and the detailed handle is finely modelled with the head of a Sphinx, decorated with Greek key designs. An identical example is illustrated on page 24 of Caddy Spoons - a supplement by Captain Norie. Norie explains that this spoon reflects the spirit of the time when Britain was heavily involved in Egyptian affairs. In 1875 Britain has purchased the Khedives shares in the Suez Canal and in 1878 Cleopatras Needle was brought to Britain. In 1879, Britain assumed, along with France, dual control of Egypt, culminating in Cairo being occupied by British Troops in 1882. This rare spoon is a scarce example whose design was founded on the historical background of the British Empire.
Length: 3.5 inches.
1882
Birmingham
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