Oval clear glass graduated medicine spoon with circular handle, flat bottom and deep curved edges; spoon bowl is uncovered; bottom is embossed with a manufacturers logo of intertwined T and W; one side of the exterior of spoon bowl is embossed with 'table, dessert, tea' for type of measurements; in…
Oval clear glass graduated medicine spoon with circular handle, flat bottom and deep curved edges; spoon bowl is uncovered; bottom is embossed with a manufacturers logo of intertwined T and W; one side of the exterior of spoon bowl is embossed with 'table, dessert, tea' for type of measurements; inside of the spoon bowl there are two lines used for measurement.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and Alice Roeder.
Dates
1920
1950
circa 1920-1950
Date Remarks
Research
Material
glass: clear
Inscriptions
Embossed on bottom: "GRADUATED MEDICINE SPOON // No 40", manufacturing logo; embossed on side of bowl "TABLE // DESSERT // TEA".
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D1
Length
9.5 cm
Width
4.6 cm
Height
2.8 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Documents
Book
eBook
Internet
Reference Comments
Allison, Eileen Michael. Ceramic Invalid Feeders, Pap Boats, and Baby Bottles of the 19th & Twentieth Century. Canada: E.M. Allison, 1997.
Bennion, Elisabeth. Antique Medical Instruments. London: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications by Philip Wilsons Publications, 1979.
Campbell, Gordon. The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. 2006. Accessed August 18, 2016. http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195189483.001.0001/acref-9780195189483
Ebay, "ANTIQUE GLASS GRADUATED MEDICINE SPOON NO 40 measure laboratory cooking baking" Item Description
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/antique-glass-graduated-medicine-spoon-no-40-measure-laboratory-cooking-baking-/281076838201
Donor file
Research Facts
Collected by Maryanne Szuck and sister Alice Roeder, a retired nurse. The collection consists of various eras and types of invalid / infant feeders, infant milk bottles, medicine spoons, urinals and reference material.
By the early 19th century medicinal spoons were becoming more accurate measuring devices. Normally made out of silver, or pewter these items usually had a cover and long spout for blowing the medicine through at the opposite end for administering medicine to the mentally unstable, elderly and invalids. By the mid 19th century, the design had evolved into small oval spoons, with a partial cover. The delicate handles normally had an elongated portion at the base to stabilize the spoon on flat surface. Initially produced in porcelain, these elaborately decorated spoons were then produced en masse in earthenware ceramic material and transfer pattern prints. This cheaper production cost meant this design was widely accessible and very popular for most social classes.
These were also used to feed infants or dose medicine.