A Wiilliam Fearn, George III Period, London c1830, Sterling Silver Mote Spoon

Manufacturer - Attributed to William Fearn, London

Date - c1730

Description - An ornately pierced sterling silver mote spoon, worked with 'star burst' piercings that signal a higher‑quality example of this early tea‑table implement. The long, tapering stem terminates in a spear‑shaped finial, the traditional form used for clearing blockages in a teapot spout.
Mote spoons were an essential part of tea service from the late 17th century through to early 19th century, when loose tea was transported in wooden chests and prone to fragmenting The pierced bowl allowed the drinker to skim away dust motes/large tea leaves from the surface of the cup, while the pointed terminal served its practical secondary purpose.
A charming and increasingly scarce form of early tea equipage, and a particularly attractive example thanks to its crisp piercing and decorative scrollwork.

Condition - This spoon is in clean, very good condition

Hallmark - The spoon has a manufacturer's cypher for ? William Fearn (W.F) together with Lion passant. The hallmark is somewhat distorted because of the space limitation on the shank of the spoon

Dimensions - Maximum length - 13.5cm