Artisan Spoon Appraisal

Twisted Handle Decorative Spoon with Stone Finial

This is a small, decorative spoon, likely a collector's item or a souvenir spoon, not intended for practical culinary use. Its overall length appears to be approximately 3-4 inches, judging by its placement on a laptop keyboard. The spoon features a twisted wire handle, giving it a delicate and antique aesthetic. The material of the handle and bowl appears to be a dark, tarnished metal, possibly silver or silver-plated, showing a significant amount of natural patina consistent with age. At the very top of the handle, there is a prominent decorative element: a multi-faceted, light-colored stone or crystal, possibly rose quartz, securely wire-wrapped to the end of the twisted handle. This stone is irregular in shape but polished, adding a touch of elegance and uniqueness. The spoon's bowl is relatively small and oval-shaped, exhibiting some surface wear and minor scratching consistent with handling and age, contributing to its character. There are no readily visible maker's marks, signatures, or stamps in the provided images, which might suggest a handmade piece or an item from a period where such markings were less common or located elsewhere. The style suggests it could be late 19th to early 20th century, or a modern reproduction in a historical style. The craftsmanship, particularly of the twisted wire handle and the wire-wrapped stone, appears to be of good quality, indicating attention to detail in its manufacture. The visible condition issues seem to be primarily surface tarnish and minor abrasions, which are typical for an older metal object and contribute to its collectible appeal rather than detracting significantly from it.