{"product_id":"victorian-sterling-silver-boxed-set-of-12-tea-spoons-and-tongs-rat-tail-design-london-1882-holland-son-slater","title":"Victorian Sterling Silver Boxed set of 12 tea spoons and tongs | Rat Tail design | London 1882 | Holland, Son \u0026 Slater","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVictorian Sterling Silver Boxed set of 12 tea spoons and tongs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOld English pattern with Rat Tails throughout the set - even the tongs. It is quite a stylish presentation of these spoons within the original box, normally spoons are displayed bowl up, but these being rat tails [a design synonymous with quality] they are designed to be displayed tail up\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker: JA over JS | Holland, Son \u0026amp; Slater (John Aldwinckle \u0026amp; James Slater)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssay: London 1882\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonogramm: none\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight: 180 grams the set  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpoons [12] approx 10.5cms (4 1\/8\") long\u003cbr\u003eTongs approx 10cms (4\") lomng\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn excellent condition\u003cbr\u003eIn original box which is always lovely to have - shows some wear to the leatherette cover but does close nicely - inside the box in the satin lining is the name \u003cstrong\u003eWILLIAM ANGUS JEWELLER AND SILVERSMITH 27 \u0026amp; 29 LORD STREET, LIVERPOOL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Rat Tail Spoons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \"rat tail\" spoon features an elongated reinforcement on the back of the bowl where it joins the handle\u003c\/strong\u003e. The design emerged in England in the 1650s and popularized during the Baroque period, this design strengthened the vulnerable junction between the cast handle and the hammered bowl. While rudimentary versions appeared in Roman times,\u003cstrong\u003e the true three-dimensional rat tail became a definitive hallmark of English flatware during the Restoration of Charles II in 1660\u003c\/strong\u003e. Before this development, medieval spoons featured decorative, cast \"knops\" (such as acorns or apostles) and were prone to snapping. By the early 18th century, the rat tail became the standard reinforcement for newly designed Dog-nose (or wavy-end) and Hanoverian style spoons. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe rat tail remained a fashionable and structural necessity on high-quality silver into the 1750s, after which it gradually transitioned into a mere decorative tongue before disappearing in favor of \"mid-feather\" spines. \u003cstrong\u003eToday, the rat tail design is recognized as one of the oldest identifiable flatware patterns, serving as an indicator of early 18th-century antique provenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sterling Silver","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49376703480036,"sku":"RA-0013588_C","price":650.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0070\/9528\/7908\/files\/1882_set_12boxed_1a.jpg?v=1783737501","url":"https:\/\/roundaboutantiques.com.au\/products\/victorian-sterling-silver-boxed-set-of-12-tea-spoons-and-tongs-rat-tail-design-london-1882-holland-son-slater","provider":"Roundabout Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}