Vintage Silver-Tone Ornate Italian Souvenir Spoon

This is a vintage, highly ornate souvenir spoon, likely of Italian origin based on the provided context. The spoon features a cast silver-tone metal construction, possibly silver-plated brass or a pewter alloy. The bowl of the spoon is decorated with deep-relief repoussé work, featuring a central shield or floral motif surrounded by scrolling acanthus leaves and flourishes. The handle is remarkably complex, utilizing an openwork or pierced design with a series of interlocking scrolls, geometric patterns, and a textured finish that mimics traditional Florentine craftsmanship. The terminal or finial of the handle is wide and fan-shaped with further decorative embossing. Historically, these items were popular mid-20th-century tourist souvenirs. The condition shows significant signs of age and use, including heavy oxidation, surface pitting, and loss of original plating/lustre, particularly within the bowl where food contact or moisture may have occurred. The patina is uneven, with dark recessed areas highlighting the relief. Despite the surface wear, the structural integrity remains intact without visible breaks in the delicate openwork.