Name

Masonic Toddy Ladle

Origin/date

UK, 19th century (?)

Material and dimensions

Whalebone and silver. No marks. Length 37 cm, bowl 6 cm.

Description

Part twisted whale bone handle with a silver final. Rond bowl with various masonic symbols: square and compass, plumb line, level, the holy bible with the engraving IHS and a cross above it, and three geometrical forms (square, triangle and square) within a frame.

Provenance

UK, antiques dealer

Literature

I have only seen one other masonic toddy ladle, made in the US around 1760-1780 by Paul Revere, see: Patricia E. Kane, Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers, 1998, p. 818 (as attributed to Paul Revere Jr.). Livingston, Thomas W., and Karel F. Wessel, "The Discovery of a Paul Revere Ladle," Antiques Week vol. 5, no. 9 (September 1985).