{"id":8665614712982,"title":"Late 16th \/ early 17th century German Spoon with a bowl formed of the segment of a large cowrie shell and silver-mounted handle.","handle":"late-16th-early-17th-century-german-spoon-with-a-bowl-formed-of-the-segment-of-a-large-cowrie-shell-and-silver-mounted-handle","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLate 16th \/ early 17th century German Spoon with a bowl formed of the segment of a large cowrie shell and silver-mounted handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis rare personal eating utensil consists of a detachable silver handle fitted with an oval bowl carved from large cowrie shell. The bowl is secured by a threaded silver mount decorated with stylized foliate terminals, allowing the spoon to be disassembled for transport. The opposite end of the handle terminates in a circular engraved plaque depicting a walled town or ecclesiastical complex rendered in miniature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePortable eating implements of this type were used by travellers, merchants, military officers, and pilgrims during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a period when personal cutlery was commonly carried rather than supplied by hosts or inns. Luxury examples were often fashioned from precious metals and exotic materials such as of a large cowrie shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis cowrie-shell spoon could have been kept in a Kunstkammer, but it may also have been used for particular purposes, for example for taking medicine, or for eating caviar, as the lack of silver on the bowl avoided the problem of oxidisation. The cowrie shell was rare and exotic in the 16th century; a worthy addition to a princely cabinet and a splendid banquet. The silver mount added monetary value to that accorded by the marvellous nature of the shell. Unusual cutlery often functioned as conversation pieces at banquets, as the diners discussed the materials, value and make of the objects they handled. The owner's coat of arms on the spoon ensured that he was accorded the kudos due to him for the possession of such an artefact, and more prosaically prevented controversy over ownership, as it was passed around the table to be admired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe engraved architectural scene may represent a particular city, pilgrimage destination, or family emblem, transforming the utilitarian object into both a personal possession and a commemorative keepsake. Such objects illustrate the intersection of travel, status, and craftsmanship in early modern Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe engraved terminal is particularly important. The letters visible on either side of the cityscape appear to read \"V\" and \"B\", which stand for Vilbel or Vilbel Burg(17th century). During the 17th century, Burg Vilbel (located in Bad Vilbel, Hesse, Germany) served continuously as the administrative center (Amtssitz) for the Electorate of Mainz, a role it held securely from 1590 until 1803.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e Measurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLength: 155 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWidth: 47 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWeight: 33 grams \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2026-06-16T17:57:35+01:00","created_at":"2026-06-16T17:57:34+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Silver Spoon","tags":["European Silver"],"price":160000,"price_min":160000,"price_max":160000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46423430856854,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-07229","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Late 16th \/ early 17th century German Spoon with a bowl formed of the segment of a large cowrie shell and silver-mounted handle.","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":160000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_5d8ccf22-5f5f-43c7-8628-6bd62dd0f7c8.jpg?v=1781629021","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626.jpg?v=1781629021","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_1.jpg?v=1781629021","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_2.jpg?v=1781629021"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_5d8ccf22-5f5f-43c7-8628-6bd62dd0f7c8.jpg?v=1781629021","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":32768759398550,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"width":2000,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_5d8ccf22-5f5f-43c7-8628-6bd62dd0f7c8.jpg?v=1781629021"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_5d8ccf22-5f5f-43c7-8628-6bd62dd0f7c8.jpg?v=1781629021","width":2000},{"alt":null,"id":32768759300246,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"width":2000,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626.jpg?v=1781629021"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626.jpg?v=1781629021","width":2000},{"alt":null,"id":32768759333014,"position":3,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"width":2000,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_1.jpg?v=1781629021"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_1.jpg?v=1781629021","width":2000},{"alt":null,"id":32768759365782,"position":4,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"width":2000,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_2.jpg?v=1781629021"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/150626_2.jpg?v=1781629021","width":2000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLate 16th \/ early 17th century German Spoon with a bowl formed of the segment of a large cowrie shell and silver-mounted handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis rare personal eating utensil consists of a detachable silver handle fitted with an oval bowl carved from large cowrie shell. The bowl is secured by a threaded silver mount decorated with stylized foliate terminals, allowing the spoon to be disassembled for transport. The opposite end of the handle terminates in a circular engraved plaque depicting a walled town or ecclesiastical complex rendered in miniature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePortable eating implements of this type were used by travellers, merchants, military officers, and pilgrims during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a period when personal cutlery was commonly carried rather than supplied by hosts or inns. Luxury examples were often fashioned from precious metals and exotic materials such as of a large cowrie shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis cowrie-shell spoon could have been kept in a Kunstkammer, but it may also have been used for particular purposes, for example for taking medicine, or for eating caviar, as the lack of silver on the bowl avoided the problem of oxidisation. The cowrie shell was rare and exotic in the 16th century; a worthy addition to a princely cabinet and a splendid banquet. The silver mount added monetary value to that accorded by the marvellous nature of the shell. Unusual cutlery often functioned as conversation pieces at banquets, as the diners discussed the materials, value and make of the objects they handled. The owner's coat of arms on the spoon ensured that he was accorded the kudos due to him for the possession of such an artefact, and more prosaically prevented controversy over ownership, as it was passed around the table to be admired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe engraved architectural scene may represent a particular city, pilgrimage destination, or family emblem, transforming the utilitarian object into both a personal possession and a commemorative keepsake. Such objects illustrate the intersection of travel, status, and craftsmanship in early modern Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe engraved terminal is particularly important. The letters visible on either side of the cityscape appear to read \"V\" and \"B\", which stand for Vilbel or Vilbel Burg(17th century). During the 17th century, Burg Vilbel (located in Bad Vilbel, Hesse, Germany) served continuously as the administrative center (Amtssitz) for the Electorate of Mainz, a role it held securely from 1590 until 1803.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e Measurements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLength: 155 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWidth: 47 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWeight: 33 grams \u003c\/p\u003e"}