{"product_id":"silver-plated-twig-handle-serving-spoon-and-fork","title":"Silver-Plated Serving Spoon \u0026 Fork | Tied-Twig Handles | Wriggle-Work Engraving | c.1880–1910","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver-Plated Serving Spoon \u0026amp; Fork | Tied-Twig Handles | Wriggle-Work Engraving | c.1880–1910\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwo twigs, bound with cord into a small lattice, become the handles of a serving spoon and fork.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNaturalistic branch and twig motifs appeared in European decorative metalwork during the later 19th century. The engraving on these pieces is “wriggle-work”, a zigzag line made by rocking the graver from side to side. The pieces are unmarked, leaving their maker and country of origin unidentified. A jeweller’s test has confirmed their silver-plated construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach handle is cast as a bark-textured twig. At the top, two sticks cross and are tied with cord into an open diamond, and a second cord binding ties the twig to the head. The spoon has a shallow, rounded bowl with shaped edges at the shoulder, engraved inside with a heart-shaped arrangement of wriggle-work and small groups of three dots. The fork has a broad head with shaped sides and five tines, its upper face engraved with scalloped bands of wriggle-work. The backs are plain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery good condition, with signs of age. The cast detail on both handles is crisp and the engraving clear. There are small bumps, light spotting to the spoon bowl and surface scratches to its back. No repairs or cracks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: unidentified; unmarked\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: silver plate (confirmed by jeweller’s test)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForm: small serving spoon and fork with cast twig handles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecoration: tied-twig diamond finials; cord bindings; wriggle-work engraving\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeriod: c.1880–1910\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: spoon 16.5 × 3.9 cm; fork 15.4 × 3.3 cm (length × width)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: spoon 35 g; fork 36 g; 71 g together\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: very good; crisp handle detail; small bumps, light spotting to the spoon bowl and surface scratches to its back; no repairs or cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyer profile: collectors of 19th-century flatware, and anyone looking for unusual small serving pieces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe tied-twig handles distinguish this pair, with each knot and cord binding carefully cast in the round. The open diamond finials, bark-textured stems and delicate wriggle-work engraving give these small serving pieces a character quite apart from their practical purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTheir ornament belongs as much to the garden as to the table.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44997878055112,"sku":null,"price":1195.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/3497\/2104\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_f8006a54-8053-40f5-b135-4c40b8a43812.png?v=1775899844","url":"https:\/\/dancingfaun.co.za\/products\/silver-plated-twig-handle-serving-spoon-and-fork","provider":"The Dancing Faun Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}