Indonesian Horn Serving Spoon with Engraved Metal Band
Late 19th century — c. 1880–1910
- Material
- Horn / bone
- Use
- Serving
- Century
- 19th century CE
- Size
- Wumbo
- Provenance
- Owner's collection
Dimensions2 measurements
- Overall length
- 28.5 cm
- Overall width
- 6.5 cm
Catalogue Note
A handsome serving spoon fashioned from horn, displaying the warm tortoiseshell patina characteristic of age and use. The bowl is generously proportioned and gently curved; the handle tapers naturally to a rounded terminus. A decorative band of engraved metal—likely brass or white metal—encircles the junction of bowl and stem, incised with a geometric zigzag or lattice motif. The surface bears the mellow spotting and darkening typical of horn that has mellowed over decades, with scattered wear consistent with honest service.
Spoon Lore
Horn spoons, particularly serving implements, were prized in the nineteenth century for their warmth to the hand, subtle translucency, and resistance to staining—advantages over metal for serving delicate foods. The tortoiseshell or mottled appearance develops naturally as horn ages and oxidises, making older examples visually distinctive.
From the collection of
Lucas Silva