John W. Biddle ‘Papyrus’ Pattern Coin Silver Ice Cream Spoons - 12, c. 1870

Very unique describes this wonderful set of coin silver ice cream spoons.  The shaped gilded bowls are designed with 3-lobes.  Gilding continues a quarter of the way up the unusual handles which are hollow, tubular and fan out at the top. A simple band of engraved beading and leaf-like accents add decorative elements to the plain handles.  The tops of the handles have angled corners and a pointed center.

The backs are stamped ‘PAT 1867’ and by the maker ‘J.B’. We would love to know who made these but as of yet have not been able to identify this mark. ‘Giles Bro & Co/Chicago’ is impressed on the silk inside the box.

It appears that ‘J.B.’ is John W. Biddle of Philadelphia.  A sugar spoon of the identical pattern with the Krider and Biddle partnership mark is in a private collection. We have had similar pieces, with the ‘J.B.’ mark, which were sold in Boston and date to the same period.  Knowing Krider (who had worked in Boston for Obadiah Rich in the 1840’s), Biddle certainly would have had the Boston contacts to sell here.  This pattern is colloquially known as Papyrus.

These wonderful spoons measure 6 inches long, weigh 10.50 troy ounces and are in very good condition.  There is a small trace of loss to the gilding on the back of the bowl where it rests on the surface.  The original box is covered in crushed maroon velvet and lined with tan and light green silk. The box is in good condition but there is staining to the fabric.

A calling card with the name ‘Mrs. Arthur B. Ottaway’ comes with this set. On the back Mrs. Ottoway writes ‘I want my dear Constance to have, for her own, this set of spoons, which were given me by my brother-in-law Charles Knight, on my wedding May 21, 1885 to her grandfather.’ She then signed, ‘Myrtle R. Ottaway’.

Our Price: SOLD

Item code: J264