c1870s American Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Calla Lily Serving Spoon

Presented is a beautiful American sterling silver serving spoon, dating to around the 1870s. The server is done very much in the fanciful, naturally inspired Aesthetic Movement style of the time to which it dates. The quality of the piece suggests a high end maker like Gorham or Whiting, and they certainly did a lot of this type of work, but the piece is unmarked. The server has an eggplant shaped bowl with a rich gold wash, topped with a detailed design of leaves and with fabulously hand engraved in the bowl as well, in the form of a realistic calla lily with its leaves. The quality of the engraving is exceptional, and looks very striking, letting the silver show through the gold for a very attractive look. The handle has an ornate acorn finial, with an engraved coral-like design around the surface beneath. The terminal is monogrammed, bearing the name "Connie" in Gothic script. This piece is not stamped or hallmarked, but we have tested it with nitric acid and guarantee it to be ste