A Japanese silver and gilt caddy spoon in the form of a chrysanthemum.  It is marked SM whose mark typically appears on Liberty & Co’s silver in the 1893-1899 period. It is further marked with English assay and import marks for Liberty & Co 1898.   It is in excellent condition and a good gauge of silver.

The S.M mark has been documented by Adrien von Ferscht, an expert on Chinese Export Silver, as originating from a little known Canton firm working in Yokahama, Japan, Sadajiro Musashiya. The firm’s founder and silversmith being Ozeki Sadajiro.

These types of Japanese spoons also feature in Simon Moore’s book “Artists’ spoons and related table cutlery” pages 50-52

Price: Sold

Maker: SM, Japanese maker for Liberty & Co

Designer: NA

Date: 1898

Marks: SM, Ly&Co, London, b

Material: Sterling Silver

Condition: Excellent

Size: 12.5cm long

Weight: 1.6 oz, 45 grams