English George IV Sterling Silver Caddy Spoon by John Lawrence, Birmingham.

English George IV Sterling Silver Caddy Spoon by John Lawrence, Birmingham.  The shell-form bowl, with scrolls issuing berries, and a fiddle-form handle, etched with cross-hatching at ears, bright-cut floral design to handle.  Marked for John Lawrence, Birmingham, 1827.  3 1/2" L. x 1 1/2" W.  Caddy spoons were designed to scoop tea out of a vertical box for tea leaves, called a tea caddy. The leaves were quite precious, and thus only aristocrats could partake. This was designed in 1810, at a time when tea was becoming more available, and thus the proliferation of tea accessories also expanded.  Price includes shipping from California.