Highly collectible and sought after, spoon warmers were never subject to mass production and are rarely found at market. We are pleased to share three recently discovered examples from the north of England - these lovely Victorian Silverplate Spoon Warmers promise to hold not only hot water and warm spoons, but a full helping of charm for today's table. 

In the drafty English home of yesteryear, food served with a cold spoon would cool down too quickly for those with discriminating tastes! Even worse, a delicate dish with rich, full fat sauce could unappealingly congeal on its way to the plate. Much like the large variety of specialty dishes that concealed hot water compartments for maintaining temperature in service of the elaborate multi-course Victorian meal, the enchanting spoon warmer was fashioned. Filled with hot water in the kitchen, it was brought to the table with serving pieces stored inside to keep warm spoons at the ready.

British homes could (and can still be!) be quite chilly for much of the year - with most dining rooms having no central heat and perhaps only a fireplace for warmth. Households with servants urged haste from kitchen to dining room so food could be served hot, or at least warm, on heated plates. Keeping plates hot was also a big deal, but that’s a story for another day...

Each of these cleverly designed warmers is stylishly elevated to prevent damage to the table surface from the hot metal surface and works as well today as the day it was fashioned by a talented silversmith.

Warmer A: With a shining lid that detaches for multi-use as a sauce or gravy boat, this regal spoon warmer is as versatile as it is beautiful. Expertly hand-engraved in a trailing leaf pattern that flows along the graceful edge of the upper rim, additional artist-applied patterns encircle the perimeter in attractive bands and repeat on the cleverly designed removable lid. The warmer is elevated on feet reminiscent of rolled acanthus leaves, while the showpiece handle and stately finial unify the rich collection of motifs.

Warmer B: In the romantic shape of a Nautilus shell floating above the rocky shore, the gleaming upper expanse of this stunning warmer is made all the more awe-inspiring in contrast with the realistically rendered seashore-inspired elements below. Serving as a pedestal base to elevate the piece safely above the table, the articulated nautical detail includes a lovely scalloped shell handle to assist in transporting this (hot!) serving piece to the table. A smooth, hinged lid smoothly swings back to allow easy access for filling with hot water, spoons and other utensils.

Warmer C: A wide-bellied body and gently curving silhouette give this large capacity spoon warmer a whimsical feel. With two sturdy handles for easy conveyance and cheerful hoof-like feet to protect from contact with the table, this charming warmer has a shaped opening for hot water and spoons that would have helped ensure against accidental spills as servants rushed the precious vessels to the dining room posthaste.

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Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Circa 1880s. In very good antique condition. Please make your selection from the drop down menu below.  A measures 5.5"H x 8.75"W. B measures 5.5"H x 6.5"W. C measures 3"H x 7.75"W.

Learn More about Hotel Silver

Once found in Grand Hotels, chic cafés, elegant restaurants as well as luxury steamships and the dining cars of the great locomotives, vintage hotel silver beautifully evokes the Golden Age of Travel. Enduringly crafted using sturdy nickel silver as its base metal and coated with a thick plating of pure, gleaming silver, vintage hotel silver is unmistakeable for its simple, classic lines and its pleasing heft. Often crested with the name of the establishment, the pieces bear the gentle, lovely patina often referred to as a “butler’s finish”.

Produced by the great silversmiths here in the United States, as well as those in Britain and on the Continent, most hotel silver dates from the 1920s to the 1940s. Prized for its perfect blend of form and function, hotel silver was made to withstand the rigors of daily use. Highly collectible, vintage hotel silver is a wonderful addition to any home.

Evoking the days of elegant travel, there are many new ways that hotel silver can be enjoyed. A milk pitcher or sugar basin makes an elegant vase for flowers or fresh herbs on the kitchen counter. A collection of oval platters adds sparkle and depth in a hutch when not being called into service for a buffet or dinner party. A toast rack becomes the perfect way to display photographs, hold fingertip towels in a powder room or organize mail in the office. Mix and match cutlery brings a relaxed sophistication and elegance to any tablescape. Whatever the piece, vintage hotel silver is sure to stir memories not only of your own travels, but of exotic destinations and ports of call from parts unknown.