My respect for the staff of the big houses, such as the fictional Downton Abbey, grew this week as I set to sprucing up my silver spoon collection.
Long neglected, it has lain gathering dust in the loft until the recent redecoration of a room brought it to mind. A new blank wall, a whole new canvas beckoned to be filled and up to the ladder I headed to hunt out something appropriate.
Tucked on a shelf the two cases lay next to each other – perfect. Not the entirety of my collection, there are many more in boxes, however these forty-two represent some of my favourites.
They were in a sad state; dirty and blackened and well overdue a clean-up. Cherishing them once more I washed them individually in a bowl of soapy warm water, rubbing them as clean as possible, drying and buffing up to a shine. This took more time and dedication than I’d expected and my esteem for the staff handling the silver in the big houses grew ever more, in awe of their perseverance and dedication!
Although many are gleaming and glittering some still are rather less than shiny. For now, I am not resorting to silver polish as online warnings recommend that if used at all it is important to acquire the right low-dosage one! Who knew!
All children (and many adults too!) love collecting things and as well as bookmarks, spoons are my niche hobby. Many were gifted to me, mostly by family, as well as bought by myself. I love to travel and the spoons represented somewhere exciting and exotic; a memory of special times and other eras; the designs opening the doors of untold mystery and excitement.
The collection is split into three categories: The United States of America, Europe and The United Kingdom. Enjoy browsing through the collection with me! Which are your favourite ones?
For those in America, can you find your state’s spoon?
As a child I was mad about anything to do with space and especially the space shuttle – imagine my joy at receiving this spoon.
I’m particularly fond of the two spoons from Los Angeles and New York City with their golden hanging ornaments.
For those in Europe, can you see your country’s spoon?
When young we visited Greece many times and I have wonderful memories of our time in Corfu!
The slender shape of the Dutch milkmaid spoon is striking and there is exquisite detail of the woman herself, the two pails balanced perfectly on her shoulders.
Here are the spoons from Great Britain.
Have you ever been to any of these places?
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are looking splendid on top of the silver spoon.
I remember being surprised that the local Hedingham Castle (which I’ve written about here) was similarly designed with the building on top.
Finally, one spoon fell in between all categories although it ended up with the American.
Leif Eriksson, also known as Lucky Leif, was a Norse man born in the late 900s, believed to be the first European to reach the shores of America. His father, Erik The Red, was originally banished to Iceland, before moving with his family, including Leif, to Greenland.
According to the sagas, Leif and his crew were said to have been blown off course while sailing from Norway to Greenland, eventually landing on Vinland in Newfoundland.
So much history within just each spoon! It is such a unique way of commemorating a place or moment.
Writing my post I became interested in spoon collections in general and intrigued to learn the following:
- Silver spoon collecting became popular in the 1800s following the birth of tourism and especially the Grand Tours of Europe. By the late 1800s this European fad spread across America.
- The first souvenir spoon produced in the United States, in Washington, D.C. in 1889, featured a profile of George Washington and was created to mark the centennial of his presidency.
- Interest waned following World War One and is a marginal hobby nowadays.
- My collection is palfrey in comparison to the world’s largest collection of 30,000 owned by Des Warren in Mayfield, Australia.
- The phrase “born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth” is well known and is assumed to mean the child grew up wealthy. However, the idiom originated as a way of saying that the person never seems to get sick. There was a belief that the silver offered germ-killing properties and in the past children who were fed with silver spoons (which was a luxury often reserved for wealthier families) were typically healthier babies.
- The most expensive silver spoon was sold for $32,500 / £26,000 at Heritage Auctions, London in 2021. It was manufactured in 1790.
Do you tend to buy a memento of your time visiting somewhere special? Or perhaps you have an unusual hobby or collection yourself? It’s great to chat away in the comments!
Finally, many thanks for David Prosser for mentioning how good the Red Dragon of Wales would look upon a silver spoon! They exist and look amazing- a new one I would love to be my next silver spoon!
Annika Perry 
Such a wonderful hobby, Anika. Thanks so much for sharing with us. If I could I’d begin collecting too. I’ve seen some really cool African spoons, usually wooden or crafted.
Jude, those wooden and handcrafted spoons sound unique and beautiful! That would make an unusual addition to my collection! 😀 I wonder if we have more time for hobbies etc when younger and I’m enjoying giving this one some much needed TLC and look forward to collecting more spoons in the future.
beautiful! interesting how metal used to need to be polished & cared for, unlike now…
I agree, Da-AL, there is a certain reverence in taking the time to clean and polish each individual spoon, really taking it in and travelling down memory lane and history! 😀
Annika, your post “Born with a silver spoon” is captivating! The dedication to reviving your collection is admirable, and your passion for the history and stories behind each spoon shines through. It’s incredible how objects can hold such rich tales and memories, inspiring both nostalgia and curiosity. Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey through your spoons; it’s a reminder of the small treasures that connect us to the world and our past.
Michael, wow! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and it means so much that you’ve enjoyed the post so much! Who knew that these little spoons could spark so much interest!?😀 I’ve enjoyed re-connecting with my collection, giving it a place of honour in the house again and learning more about them. Yes, it is fascinating how much history there is behind them and the places they represent – something I didn’t truly appreciate when younger. So often these days people seem to be clearing the houses of nearly anything personal, sentimental or nostalgic which to me can seem too bare and empty -these things show who we are, teach a story of our lives and the world around us.
Finally, I’m smiling at your words of my ‘journey through spoons’ – that’s lovely. Thank you! 🙏
What a fabulous collection of spoons, Annika. I have a few, which I’ve kept in my curio cabinet, but seeing your arrangement makes me want to collect more. I like the way you’ve displayed them.
And you’re right…hats off to those who keep all the silverware shining and spotless.
Smitha, I love the sound of your curio cabinet and imagine many other fascinating ornaments in there as well as the spoons! For years I had the spoons in their boxes on a shelf in a bookcase – I was happy to find these special displaying cases which really allows them to shine (literally!). Haha! Yes, even in just our home I am now seeing so much that needs a polish – I have a small collection of copper ornaments which are well-overdue some elbow grease. Thank you so much for your lovely comment and interest!
Yes, my curio cabinet has little artefacts from all our travels. It’s precious because everytime we look at it, it brings back warm memories. I showed my husband your cabinet of spoons as a future buy :).
😀🙏
What a splendid collection from your travels and family, Annika! My respect to you, it takes time and dedication to clean the silverware. I only collect fridge magnets from my travels. 🙂
ps. I’m slowly catching up on the blogs… Happy Women’s Day!
Khaya, I am lucky with all the beautiful spoons given to me over the years and that I’ve bought as well – I’m going to treasure them even more from now on!
I must admit the polishing of the spoons has been much neglected in the past few years and hence making it an even trickier job (although the toothpaste tip from a blogger is proving unnervingly helpful!)
Fridge magnets are great to collect. Did you pick up any from your trip this time? I hope you could pack some of the sun in your suitcase and bring it back home with you! 😀
Wishing you a lovely weekend, my friend. hugs xx 💕
Your spoons are definitely a treasure. Who knew a simple toothpaste could do such wonders! 🙂 About fridge magnets from my latest trip, yes I managed a couple. Thanks my friend, a wonderful weekend to you as well. ❤
Terrific collection, Annika.
I get it about silver polish, and I do like tarnish and patina, to a point. Looks like you did a good job.
Other than dust, I don’t believe I collect anything.
Still, some of my dust must date back to the late 1800’s, as that is when my home was built. It’s very good at hiding until one day it dons a dust bunny gown and makes its appearance.
I have about 50 house plants that live with me.
Thank you! Obviously I’ve been engaged by your neat post.
Resa, your lovely comment has me chuckling as I can well picture the century old dust getting all clad up in its Sunday finest gown! 😀 Yes, dust seems to be a collection we cannot get away from but yours is impressive by its age!
I agree, a certain tarnish adds character to silver et al, but when totally black that looks plain sad! I’m glad most of the spoons are now looking respectable!
Wow! That is a greenhouse of plants and what an incredible display they must be in your house! Do you have a system for watering them all? Are they in a special conservatory or such or dotted around your home? I am in awe of the number and that you manage to keep them alive – I have a personal battle with my five indoor plants – the most I’ve ever managed to keep alive at one stage! Thank you for popping by and your great comment, Resa!
Trust you are having a fab Sunday, Annika.
Glad I could make you chuckle! Making someone chuckle about my dust is far more worth while than cleaning it up.
The plants grow like they are trying to over take me.
No watering schedule. We are in the busy time of year, transpotting, pruning, rooting and general mud maintenance so it’s a mess, what with the plants shedding and cats tracking.
Umm, I talk to them a lot.
I’m a little late to comment on your post, Annika! Your silver spoon collection is precious. I can see the Los Angeles one. I can’t read the other ones in the US and Europe, though.
I know the work involved in polishing silver. We had a dining table with a brass frame and legs and a raised 0.5″ glass top. The table top is a crafted picture of lacquer wood with a Chinese garden scene. We tried to polish the brass but eventually let it tarnished. We gave it away when we moved 1,000 miles away last year.
Had I started my collection again, I would have collected silver spoons. They take less space to displace. I collected mugs and magnets when traveled. The mugs are stored away. The magnets are in a box. When the US produced the quarters of each state, one per month for 50 states, I collected the rolls of quarters. They’re still wrapped as uncirculated coins. I don’t know what to do with them, though.
Miriam, thank you so much for your wonderful comment and it’s never too late! 😀 I’m glad you could see the one from L.A. and there is one more from California but none from Oregan which is where you live now, I think?
Your old table sounds amazing and yes, polishing brass is tricky and hard work indeed. What a pity you had to leave it behind as it must have been an unusual and special piece of furniture. The silver polishing is going very well using toothpaste as kindly recommended by a blogger – although I’m getting rather concerned what it is doing to our teeth. Yesterday I polished a beautiful silver filigree sugar bowl and spoon with toothpaste- before it was black and dull, now gleaming away!
What an eclectic set of collections, Miriam and within each so many memories and emotions are stored. Could you use some of the mugs on a rotating basis? The magnets are always fun and as for the coins, a great collection. Yes, there is the issue of what to do with them. Is your daughter and her family interested in them at all? Or you could see if you could sell them. For many years my husband, when he was single, bought and painted hundreds of small figures. Military ones, fantasy, western ones. It turns out these have now become collectors items and as our son was not too interested in them my husband is selling these on eBay in smaller lots, some even going to America!
Miriam, it’s lovely to chat away here! Wishing you a lovely Friday and upcoming weekend! Hugs xx ❤️
Interestingly, you use toothpaste to polish silver. Different toothpastes have different ingredients, I think. My husband uses one that whitens his teeth. He would have a big smile and show me his white teeth! I can see that if toothpaste can brush away the plaque, it can make the silver shine.
I have other collections, Annika. I have two sets of dishes, one English and one Chinese pattern. No, my daughter is not interested in any of my collections. My daughter from her dad and her husband from his mom inherited a lot of things, they sold all of them except one piece of end table.
I can sell the uncirculated coins but the mugs and magnets aren’t worth anything. I still have time to think about the China collection!
Nice chatting with you. We’ll have the grandkids for a sleepover this weekend.
Enjoy your weekend, Annika! ❤
What an interesting collection Annika, it must have brought back lots of memories as you re-visited each spoon.
Andrea, you are right, it was wonderful to take these out once again and going through them took a long time as my memory went off on a few adventures! 😀
I love the little shovel ones! haha My MIL had a spoon collection, though not near as large or nice as yours. I wonder what happened to it when she passed away? I don’t remember seeing it in the clean up. Hmm. Maybe it’s at my SIL’s house.
Luanne, I love those shovel ones too, they are such a fun design! 😀 It is interesting how things seem to disappear in families and I wonder if you will be able to ask about your MIL’s collection? I bet it needs a good polish by now if it is ever found – and the toothpaste recommended by a blogger here is working very well – although I’m now beginning to worry what it does to one’s enamel! Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment, Luanne. Xx
I have some larger silver items sitting here that have grown black over time. I thought of cleaning those is more than I can bear. I doubt anybody will fess up about the silver spoons.
Hi Annika, A spoon collection looks great when spruced up and not neglected, gathering dust. You have inspired me to uncover where we placed ours after our last move (30 years ago). Every spoon goes along with a memory, even when it is a gift from someone else. The golden hanging ornament ones are unique. A huge Wow about the phrase ‘born with a silver spoon in his/her mouth.’ …the healthier baby concept…Re: your question on what I now collect? I think my photo collections make me happy, recalling and revisiting special memories. 😊Thank you for sharing a great story, Annika, and putting a smile on my face, once again.💕 Erica
Erica, how wonderful that you also have a spoon collection and I know exactly what you mean about each one having a special memory / emotion attached to it! Oh my, do you even know where to start searching for yours after three decades since your last move? If you do decide to take it out I would love to see some photos of it. The trick of polishing with toothpaste as recommended by a blogger is working a treat and soon all will be gleaming even more! 😀 I am not surprised at all that photographs are collected and collated loving by yourself- building up a large, unique and very personal collection! These are precious beyond words. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, my friend! Wishing you a good rest of the week! Xx ❤️
My mother had a spoon collection and it had pride of place in our living room. I still have my baby spoons, which she kept. Some of the old traditions are fun.
Mary, too often we can be scornful of the old traditions but I find myself enjoying them ever more – probably the reason I unearthed this one. How lovely that you have a spoon collection too and one displayed at home! That is fantastic! Are yours also behind glass? It protects the silver but I’m wondering if one loses a bit on the viewing experience. I’m glad you’ve got your baby spoons – I have some somewhere up in the loft with my the rest of my collection and these are my most precious ones – I hope I find them!
My sister-in-law has them now. They were in a display case behind glass similar to the ones you’ve shown. My mother kept mementos and I’ve been distributing them to family members now that she’s gone (Feb 2020 – she missed the whole Covid thing).
A space shuttle spoon? That’s super cool! I had no idea they ever made such a thing. How lucky are you to have one! As you know, I’m travelling, but sadly, I travel light and with a carry-on only, so I don’t buy many things along the way. I tend to take a ton of photos, though. I think of them as a diary of my trip and a reminder of where I was each day. Your collection is beautiful, Annika; thank you for sharing them with us. I didn’t know that silver spoons were so elaborate. I love it! Have a great day, my friend! Hugs xo
Tanya, I know! I remember being thrilled by that space shuttle spoon – very special indeed. The artistry and creativity of many of the spoons are indeed impressive. I still pick up some now and then – but I do travel with a suitcase! However, like you, photos are the greatest and most precious mementos of trips and I am sure yours is extensive! Hope you’re having a wonderful and exciting start to the week, my friend! It’s always lovely to hear from you! hugs xx💕
This is amazing. Those spoons sound like they’ve seen some serious adventures. I never knew about the “silver spoon” idiom’s origin
I don’t have a spoon collection myself, but I’m a big fan of collecting unique souvenirs from my travels. Maybe I’ll be inspired to start a spoon collection after reading your post.
Ritish, I’m smiling at the personification of the the spoons and sure there is a story waiting to be written about their adventures!😀 I’m intrigued by your unique souvenirs of your trips and I bet you’re often spoilt for choice!😀 It’s lovely if my post has interested in you in starting your own silver spoon collection!
What a fun collection! I didn’t realize that spoons came in such variety…thanks for sharing this!
I know, Ann -the incredible and beautiful designs of the spoons never fails to surprise me! 😀 Thank you so much for reading and your interest. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend! xx
What a lovely spoon collection, Annika, and I love silver! My mom used to collect spoons, so when we traveled I would buy one to add to her collection. We collect fridge magnets, stickers, and mugs. Fun stuff, but we quickly run out of room in the kitchen and have to rotate mugs in and out. And I also have to get a piece of jewelry to add to my collection. I love jewelry, especially sterling silver, white gold, and unique gems. I don’t need anymore, but jewelry and purses are what I can’t get enough of…call it accessorizing. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your lovely collection with us! xoxo
Lauren, I recognise myself in your comment here and too love jewellery and bags. My favourite jewellery piece was bought on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence and is a golden butterfly brooch (& I never usually wear brooches!) What a great idea to rotate your mug collection and revisit your travels while enjoying a cuppa. Fridge magnets are fun to collect too. Have you found you nearly need a new fridge to put them all on?!😀 One blogger has a special metal board for them and that sounds like an ideal solution. Aww … you know exactly the kind of silver spoons I’m writing about here as you bought them for your mother’s collection – it is fun to browse in the shops for them! Happy Collecting, my friend! Hope you’re doing as okay as possible. hugs xx 💕
How amazing that you have all these wonderful spoons! I’ve never collected spoons but I had friends and family who did, so would often bring one home from my travels for them. I have one. It’s from the UAE and has a camel on top. it was given to me by friends who lived there for a couple of years and knew I had set my first book there. So it is very special. If you use them, they don’t get tarnished. This one is in my sugar pot and gets used when company comes for tea.
Darlene, what a precious gift directly related to your first book – bless your friends for their thoughtful gift and no wonder you treasure it! Now, you could start a collection around the countries where your books are set – you will quickly build up a sizeable group! 😀 I didn’t know that using silver stops it from getting tarnished – maybe the staff of the big houses didn’t have to work quite so hard after all!😀 I reckon the silver was out every day for every meal!
Oh, I’m sure they did a fair amount of polishing too. Things like candlesticks, teapots, tureens, etc. would have needed to be polished regularly. I don’t think I’ll be starting any collections at this time as I am getting rid of things not adding!!
Annika. What elegance you portray. A spoon collector among other things. Thats elegance to me. I’m more of a hoarder not a collector. But I’m mesmerized by collectors. Bless you. This is such a beautiful post. Enjoyed everything. Wow. Thank you. XoXo
Selma, bless you for your sweet and kind comment! 🙏 I like that, elegance! I think at times I might attain this level, and perhaps here with this collection – otherwise I go for cosy and comfy! So glad you enjoyed reading about my silver spoons and thank you! xx❤️
That is quite the eclectic collection, Annika. Polishing them all would definitely required a time dedication. Thanks for sharing!
Jan, I just found your lovely comment in spam! WP is very fickle! Yes,I think that is also why I partly took a break after the gentle washing and drying before I start the polishing for real. One blogger suggested toothpaste so I’m giving that a go first! Hope you’re have a good weekend! xx 💕
What a glorious shining collection, Annika! I have several silver spoons that have my great-grandfather’s name engraved on them from the 1920’s…
Kim, what a precious treasure from nearly one hundred years ago. Do you know if they were given to him for a special occasion and hence his name on them? I’d be extra careful polishing these spoons with such a personal history attached to them.
I have four spoons and it looks like he received an engraved spoon each time he was promoted (he served in the Army)!
That is great and how special! 😀
Very interesting, Annika. I’m not a collector, but I can appreciate your collection. Wow, you’ve got a lot, and I love the history behind them. Thanks for the intriguing tidbits about the origins of spoon collecting too. I had heard that about “born with a silver spoon.” My FIL is adamant about the health properties of silver. I wonder if there really is something to that.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Betsy! It was fun also to look at the history of silver spoons. Another blogger also mentioned the healing properties and I do wonder if this is true and has been scientifically researched- I’ll read up about it!
I should read up about that too!
A truly fascinating article, dear Annika, Your collection of spoons is fabulous.
I know some people who collect spoons and ask me to buy one for them when I go somewhere they have never visited.🥄🥄🥄
Luisa, thank you so much and it’s been lovely to share about my collection here. I love how you are the procurer of spoons for your friends on your travels! How sweet of you and I bet you’ve seen and bought some very interesting ones over the years.
It was a bit of a difficult search at times, but I always managed to find little spoons that my friends appreciated
Thanks for your kind reply 🙏
Lovely displays of a much loved collection, Annika. You are a true collector, spreading knowledge of some of your prized pieces and seeking out the ‘unusual’ pieces as well. Plus, you’ve found a way/place to have them in your life so you can enjoy them within your everyday!
Laura, I’m glad to have rescued my collection from the loft and finally given it pride of place. It’s been a joy to share here and in the process learn even more about them – I’ll treasure them even more! 😀 Thank you so much for your interest and lovely comment! Xx ❤️
Collections of spoons and the things so amazing , you caring them so nicely 😍 🙏🌹💗
Thank you’ Thattamma and after a few years of ‘lost’ in the loft it feels good to be looking after them again and for them to shine!
Thank you so much for sharing dear friend 💖🙏
I’m so happy to view your all spoon collections ❣️
Annika, this was delightful. Your spoon collection is quite a treasure. I remember people who collected spoons. It was popular. Thank you for the back history on the term ‘born with a silver spoon.’
Jennie, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. Thank you! I have never met anyone else who collected spoons and I remember my friends looking at me a bit oddly when I was younger and proudly showing them the spoons! 😀 It was fun to research about the history of spoons and I’m good at falling down the ‘google’ rabbit-hole! 😀
I bet it was fun to get the history. Thank you, Google! Collecting spoons was popular in my parents generation. I remember seeing some collections. I really enjoyed this. 🙂
I can’t find the spoon for Texas or Sweden, but that is an impressive collection. Congratulations 🥇🏆🥄🥄🥄 When I was a kid I got a silver spoon for every tenth time I went to sunday school. I had an entire collection but I don’t know what happened to it.
Oh, Thomas, how sad to have lost your spoon collection; it sounds precious and what a beautiful gift every ten weeks! No, there isn’t a Texas one and the only one from Sweden is from Jämtland with the beautiful red orchids.
Oh I can see the Jämtland spoon now, third from the right in the European picture. I am from Ångermanland to the east of Jämtland.
Wow! What an awesome collection of silver spoons! Thank you for sharing so much information with us!!! I think it is wonderful that these spoons are such special keepsakes…a lovely tradition and so beautifully put together.
Bless, thank you so much for your lovely comment, Linda! 🙏 It has meant a lot to me to share here and to finally find a place of pride for the collection! Although I am trying to clear-out some things, these are just too special and personal.
What a wonderful collection, Annika! I’ve heard about Leif making it to America first and also about the healing properties of silver. Lately, I’ve been hearing about people using colloidal silver for colds & flu. Not only are those lovely pieces you have, but silver will always have worth, as its a precious metal. My collections aren’t worth anything today. I collected Precious Moments figurines when I was a newlywed (many years ago). I also have a collection of sports cards, namely, American football. I inherited my grandmothers large collection of 1960s & 70s Hummel figurines. I was supposed to pass those down, but I was unable to have children. I plan to give them to my nephews (brother’s kids), but three teen boys, at this point, don’t care about those. 😉
Thanks for sharing your lovely collection.
Lori, I loved learning about your various collections over the years and I’ve been looking up about the various figure collectibles. Both the Precious Moments and and Hummel figurines are beautiful & adorable! Even if not of value, they are of a high personal and family value and you can’t put a number on that! I feel in your small line of not being able to have children is a lifetime of heartache and sadness – my heart goes out to you. ❤️ Teen boys have a habit of growing up and maybe your nephews will understand the intrinsic value and history of your collections when older. Surely, they will already appreciate the sports cards! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and it’s great to chat away here! Hugs xx 💕
I loved your collection and wish my eyes were good enough to see the spoons clearly.
We collected mugs, and there are many from England and a few from Europe. I enjoy drinking from them.
Anne, I love the sound of your mug collection! There are always so many interesting and fun ones in shops when travelling one is spoilt for choice.
It isn’t easy to see the spoons clearly even for me with them here and I realise the photos don’t do them justice. Thank you so much for your interest and lovely comment!
What a wonderful collection, Annika! It is definitely something to cherish!
Absolutely, Donna! I fear I haven’t been too good at cherishing them in the past few years – making up for it now! 😀
Wonderful post, Annika. I have a few spoons and I treasure them, but yours is an amazing collection. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Bless, Anneli, thank you! It is relatively small but I’m so happy to have room for them to be out on display again. Time to find a case or two for the rest! It’s great you have some special spoons of your own – you can keep adding to it! 😀
Yes, each one has a story.
Everything collectable I have is made of silver. Some spoons are well over 100 years old and were in my family for a very long time.
Cleaning silver is very easy if you know this trick, Annika, you use the cheapest
toothpaste, and it works like dream! You can even leave a spoon covered in toothpaste for a short time and then just wipe it off with a t-towel to see a brilliantly shiny spoon or anything else.
Joanna
Joanna, first thank you for that tip about toothpaste for polishing the silver spoons! Wow! This sounds incredible and I can’t wait to give it a go and I’ll let you know how I get on. As you can see there were some which were still quite black.
Joanna, you have some serious antiques in your midst and researching for this post saw that spoons over a hundred years old can be quite valuable. How wonderful that they have been in your family so long and that you enjoy collecting silver things. Have you ever written a post about it? Please share a link if you have as I’d like to read it.
Thank you, Annika, it will work, just try it!
I write about nature, and my current series is about the wildlife of the deserts of the world. You will find this interesting, just put in Google,
naturetails.blog
Joanna
Joanna, wow! Your advice worked a treat today as I used toothpaste on the some of the spoons. Like you mentioned, I left some on the each spoon for a while before rubbing to a shine! So easy and I really appreciate your help! 🙏😀
You are more than welcome, Annika!
Joanna x
I love your collection of spoons, Annika! My mom collected many spoons over the years and they’re hanging in the hallway between the kitchen and laundry room.
I love it when I’m decorating, and then I remember something I’d stored away might be a perfect addition to what the room. It is so much fun to decorate that way
Kymber, how wonderful that you’ve kept your mother’s collection of spoons and have them on display. Are they also in glass cases? I can imagine it takes a while to walk between the kitchen and laundry room as you and others pause to look at them.
I totally agree, it is a joy to discover an old item or two for a newly decorated room! I also came across a print we’d bought a couple of years ago and which has just been lying about – finally found its ideal place!
They probably should be encased behind glass, but they are on a spoon shelf, if that makes sense. It’s made for those little spoons. 😀
What fun to find a print, too! And now, it has a place to be. I love that. 🙂
That does indeed make sense and also probably easier to see them!
The print is one we bought a while ago and I shared about it here … very unusual typewriter art!
Thank you for the link. I can’t wait to see this!
You have a very impressive spoon collection! I saw several states where I’ve lived, but not New Hampshire. My husband and I collect refrigerator magnets and small pins of places we’ve visited. The pins are displayed in a shadow box, and the magnets are in a picture frame with a piece of sheet metal painted the color of our kitchen backsplash.
Liz, I love that you found several states where you’ve lived – I think you’ve moved around a lot! 😀 You’re right, there isn’t one for New Hampshire. I love the sound of your collections and also how you have displayed them all. The magnets having its own special display unit and the pins in their own case. (I had to google shadow box!) Are you still buying these mementos when you’re out on your travels?
Yes, I moved quite a bit when I was younger–but not any more, thankfully. Yes, we’re still collecting those mementoes!
💕😀
Lots of elbow grease required to keep them looking lovely. You have some interesting spoons.
Quite, Pat! I can see why they used to talk about housemaid’s elbow! It’s been fun to revisit the spoons here and learn more about them! Soon time to retrieve the rest from the loft!
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I was on my way out when I saw your collection this morning, Annika, and what a lovely thing it is to come back to. There’s one that says Jamtland I really like. I may be reading it wrong. So many memories in a cabinet. I love the idea….but maybe not the polishing 🤗🩷
Jo, how lovely that you mention my one spoon from Sweden! It does indeed say Jämtland on it and this is a county in the centre of Sweden bordering Norway. I visited there on business and luckily also had some time for a few non-work related outings (amongst others to buy this spoon!) I’ve just read up about the beautiful flower: ‘Jämtland’s provincial flower is an extremely rare orchid, the Gymnadenia nigra, an orchid that’s only common in the province and a few other places in central Scandinavia.’
Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment. Hope you’re having a good week, Jo! Xx❤️
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What a collection! Cleaning silver is a lot of work. I acquired many silver pieces when husby and I married, dutifully cleaned them for thirty years, almost never used them, and now, am getting rid of them! Spoons would have been a much better idea.
Jacqui, your comment has a me smiling! Yes, I realised it was tough work and that was just from washing the spoons! I started with far too hot water and a couple bent. Then just warm water, and very gentle rubbing and buffing up. Yours and your husband’s dedication to polishing your silver over three decades has me in awe. I can understand it will be a relief to not have to do this anymore. I assume your two children are not interested in the collection of silverware? Haha! 😀 Yes, spoons probably would have been easier, still fiddly and time consuming! Being behind glass does help a lot though.
I tried to give them the tea service, then the serving dishes. No interest. Not even a little. Sigh. Spoons–I bet they would have taken!
Those are very unique spoons Annika. I’m glad you enjoy them and shared. My mom collected many things including thimbles, elephants, and glass vases. I have a few of my childhood Matchbox & Hot Wheel toy cars. Mostly, I’ve purged my collections and things in favor of living simply.
Brad, there is definitely something to be said for minimalist living and I’m slowly heading there … over the years cleared so many books for charity yet certain things stay with me … for now! Your mother’s collections sound special. Have you managed to find them a good home. I’ve heard of people collecting thimbles and some I’ve seen are unique and very beautiful. My husband has a collection of his old matchbox cars – all well-played with as should be the case! Hope you’re having a good week.
I’m glad he plays with the cars! Sadly, our estate sale agent did a poor job of selling my mom’s things and many were given away or even thrown away due to timing with the closing.
A great collection. My top vote goes to the Dutch milkmaid spoon.
That is a special one, Neil and I just love its detail! Thank you so much for reading and your comment.
I’d forgotten that people collect spoons. Your collection is pretty [now that it’s polished 😉] and meaningful. I like them all but the one with the Christmas wreath on top is my favorite. I’ve never bought a spoon while traveling, don’t know how I missed doing that.
Haha! 😀Ally, you’re not wrong about them being pretty now they are washed- so many were grimy and grey! Oh, the wreath one is lovely, I agree and special to see some colour on the silver spoons. I wonder if you will be tempted to buy a silver spoon on your next trip … be warned, it can be quite addictive! 😀 Finally, a special thank you to you – your post about writing what is in front of you made me look around what I was up … and there I was washing spoons! 🙏❤️
What a charming collection, Annika! Thank you for sharing the spoons and stories. ❤ Have a great day!
Cheryl, the spoons should have been rescued a long time ago and it’s fun to share about them here! My next task is to find a case for the rest! Wishing you a lovely day too! Xx ❤️
Wow, what a wonderful collection and hobby!
Alethea, it is unusual and I treasure them even more now than as young!
Hi Annika, this is a lovely post. I really enjoyed seeing your silver spoon collection. I know a few people who collect spoons and a few who collect egg cups. I collect antique and vintage dolls from certain trips abroad and locally. I also collect African dolls when I visit local places.
Robbie, I love the sound of your antique and vintage dolls as well as the African ones. How long have you been collecting these? Do you have them on display at home? I find some of the older antique dolls are quite spooky as well as being rather elegant and refined! If you’ve ever posted about them please add the link, I’d love to take a look. So glad you enjoyed seeing my silver spoon collection. I’ve never heard of anyone buying egg cups mementos – I’ll probably see them everywhere now! 😀
Hi Annika, I started collecting dolls when I was 17. I had a boyfriend who bought me a few and that is how I started. I do have them on display in antique cabinets. Interestingly enough, both my female cousins (same mother) collect egg cups. They have a couple of hundred each.
That’s quite a collection, Annika. I’m impressed. My collection didn’t grow beyond about 5. Cleaning silver can be quite arduous, as you say. I remember long hours cleaning the silver with my mum at home. Now all my cutlery is stainless steel and doesn’t need the same attention. (I have no idea what grade of silver cleaner we used.)
Norah, you are the perfect person to ask about cleaning silver! Was this the family silver you helped with? It must have been gleaming! I’m wondering whether I am just being over cautious about the type of silver polish- sometimes Google leads us astray! Yes, thank goodness for stainless steel cutlery! 😀
It was the family silver, Annika. It was our every-day cutlery, and in addition, Mum had a lovely set of silver cutlery that was brought out for special occasions. I think she/we used a product called Silvo (from memory).
I always buy a cookbook. I’ll bet you are not surprised. Thanks for sharing your collection with us.
Bernadette, I’m not surprised and I bet you have a very special and unusual collection! Have you ever counted them up?
I was disappointed to see no Welsh spoon in your collection. The Red Dragon would sit nicely onn top of a spoon and add a dash of colour. Hugs
David, the U.K. collection was sadly remiss in featuring all the nations! Although I have been to Northern Ireland and Wales it was always on business and not much time for tourist shops! You are spot on about the Red Dragon on top and of course I had to check if it exists – yes! It looks very dramatic and would become one of my instant favourites! I’ll see if I can work out how to put on a photo here … otherwise I’ll add it to my blog! 😀
What a delight to be met with so much beauty and artistry this morning. Thank you Annika. It is amazing how much creativity and care has been taken by the
makers. Also showing pride and love for the places they lived or visited.
Your collection is stunning and I applaud all the imagination you put in to display
The spoons you have been gifted and bought. Even the cases are delightful.
The history behind was very interesting and adds so much weight to the collection. How it all started and came about. So much creative care to create this post. It lit up this morning. 🙏🤗
Wow! Miriam, thank you so much for your amazing comment and for your deep interest in the collection. You are right about the creativity of these spoons, and how they honour a place in such a unique way. It was great when I finally got the display cases a number of years ago and I now want to buy some more for the rest of my collection – I can see this previous blank wall being anything but empty! 😀 Haha! It is great about loving these silver spoons as it has made present buying for me easy over the years! Miriam, thank you again and I am so glad my post gave you a lift this morning – that means so much to me. Xx ❤️
I was never much of a collector of anything (a couple of half-hearted attempts) but my mother had many silver souvenir spoons and liked to use them. I agree about having respect for the people who used to care for and manage the huge houses such as the fictional Downton Abbey.
Here’s a piece about the Vikings you might find interesting: https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/trip-ideas/travel-stories/vikings-history
I’ve visited this site and found that it really nudged my imagination. Cheers.
Lynette, thank you so much for including this link! What a wonderful place to visit and there is something amazing about walking around ancient sites as these. I’ve been to several in Sweden and Norway and the re-enactments always give a real flavour of the times!
How lovely that your mother had a big silver spoon collection and that you could use them. Did you ever help to buff them up to a shine?
Oh yes, polishing the silver was one of my jobs! I liked doing the little spoons because to my way of thinking at the time, they were smaller. They were also more finicky, but that didn’t occur to me! Cheers.