Featured Who made this ladle?

This ladle measures 15.5" long, and 4" across the bowl. The bowl is flat on the bottom so it definitely wouldn't hold much liquid. Is it actually a ladle, then?

The maker's name is also peculiar - it says "CM (squiggly mark)CM(squiggly mark)CM. The squiggly marks look like a crab, possibly, but could just as well be an octopus or a turtle - in any case, it's a blob with five appendages.

 

Please try for an in-focus shot of your marks...

~Cheryl

 

I got a baby tripod for my phone-works goood.

 

Trying again for a better photo of the maker's mark.

 

better...

 

My dad swears by a bean bag. Can plant it on any surface.

 

It's a Scottish provincial mark - Charles Murray of Perth, working dates 1816 to 1836.

Phil

 

Always good to see you post, Phil - felt relatively sure of the same before the clear pic was posted, but my eyes just aren't what they used to be.

If I recall correctly, that Perth critter is supposed to be a two-headed eagle...

~Cheryl

 

Sorry, should have mentioned that it's a toddy ladle.

~Cheryl

 

Wow! So much great information! Thank you for figuring it out (I never would have guessed two-headed eagle).

 

Wait a sec ... does that mean this thing is real silver, and not plate as I had assumed? (Please, please say it's sterling).

 

Hehe, yes it's real sterling silver, the silversmiths in the outlying Scottish towns didn't want to travel to an assay office (or pay the duty), so they typically stamped their initials and a town mark. It's a lovely piece and very collectible - oh wait, that's not right, just send it to me and I'll dispose of the dreadful thing immediately!

~Cheryl

 

Here is my Scottish Provincial toddy ladle with baleen handle from the same period, by John Glenny of Montrose, simpler and smaller than yours at 12" long.





~Cheryl

 

So cool, and yay me! This was in a batch of British silverplate I got last week at an online auction, so it was impossible to examine anything closely. Luck of the draw.

 

Both gorgeous pieces.