Hobbies And Interests
Use
In the 18th century, tea was very expensive, with a pound often costing more than a skilled worker's weekly wages. Caddy spoons were used to measure tea so none was wasted.
History
The earliest caddy spoons were made in the 1760s, with most originating from London silversmiths. The craftsmen began dating the spoons around 1777, so modern collectors can trace the origins of the antiques.
Features
Caddy spoons are small, typically measuring less than 4 inches long, so they fit neatly inside a tea caddy. Caddy spoons can feature many decorative designs; a shell-shaped spoon was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some caddy spoons also feature a pierced scoop to fish stray leaves out of a cup of tea.
Types
While early caddy spoons were made of sterling silver, other materials used since include bone, brass, ceramic, ivory, pearl and tortoiseshell.
Fun Fact
The term caddy comes from the Malaysian word "kati," which was a unit of measurement.