An extremely rare long handled Sphinx Caddy/Sugar Spoon made in Birmingham in 1880 by Hilliard & Thomason
An extremely rare long handled Sphinx Caddy/Sugar Spoon made in Birmingham in 1880 by Hilliard & Thomason
374640
This extremely rare piece is palely gilded and displays a finely detailed "Sphinx" end and stem engraved with Greek Key designs. The unusual shovel end has curved sides and the reverse displays a crisp set of hallmarks. This design is discussed in "Caddy Spoons - an illustrated suppliment" by Captain John Norie. On page 24 he emphasises that this design reflects the spirit of the times, when Britain was heavily involved in Egyptian affairs. In 1875 Britain had purchased the Khedive's shares in the Suez Canal, and in 1878 Cleopatra's 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. Therefore this spoon is one of those rare examples founded on the historical background of the British Empire.
Length: 5.15 inches, 12.88 cm.
Width of bowl: 1.15 inches, 2.88 cm.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://marycooke.co.uk/caddy-spoons/an-extremely-rare-long-handled-sphinx-caddysugar-spoon-made-in-birmingham-in-1880-by-hilliard-thomason&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/631b77fd23120_image_url_hm23.jpg&description=This extremely rare piece is palely gilded and displays a finely detailed "Sphinx" end and stem engraved with Greek Key designs. The unusual shovel end has curved sides and the reverse displays a crisp set of hallmarks. This design is discussed in "Caddy Spoons - an illustrated suppliment" by Captain John Norie. On page 24 he emphasises that this design reflects the spirit of the times, when Britain was heavily involved in Egyptian affairs. In 1875 Britain had purchased the Khedive's shares in the Suez Canal, and in 1878 Cleopatra's 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. Therefore this spoon is one of those rare examples founded on the historical background of the British Empire.Length: 5.15 inches, 12.88 cm.Width of bowl: 1.15 inches, 2.88 cm.){kind=link}