Here we have for you a beautifully delicate vintage silver and trigonia shell souvenir spoon from Tasmania, Australia. It is circa 1910-1920 and very likely to have been crafted by either William Golding or Sargison's -- both of Hobart in Tasmania. William Golding & Son was among the few makers of spoons with map-of-Tasmania finials and trigonia shells as bowls supported by silver mounts that joined the shell to a twisted stem. Taylor & Sharp and FA Flint in Hobart are two other possible makers of this spoon.
Beginning in online the 1890s, some settlers in Tasmania recognized the trigonia shell heaps along parts of the shoreline on the east coast as the "refuse heaps" of the local Aborigines. Using some of these shells, these distinctively Tasmanian spoons with the map-of-Tasmania finials were made when Tasmania was a popular tourist destination for mainland Australians at the turn of the century!
The crafting of the handle and stem to the shell bowl is really something to marvel at for its brilliance of design. The iconic finial is a map of Tasmania. The 'SILVER' mark is impressed into the back of the finial.
The spoon is in remarkably good vintage condition, as seen in the photos, with no damage to the shell whatsoever. It measures 3.25" in length. Please refer to each photo we have provided as they represent a very important part of the item's description and condition.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. We entertain reasonable offers and are happy to combine two or more items in the same package to save you money. Thanks for looking, and check back with us often as we are regularly adding new items!
Product code: Tasmania Australia Silver & Trigonia Shell Vintage Souvenir online Spoon