A rare Mary Thew silver caddy spoon

Price range: Sold

For sale is this rare silver tea caddy spoon by Mary Thew.   The hand is augmented with a sliver of abalone in classic arts and crafts design.   The spoon is quite crudely made, which I think suggests it is an early work by Thew.  Asides embodying her distinctive style, the caddy spoon is marked with her hammered mark T.

Mary Thew, born in Hillhead, Glasgow in 1876 was a Scottish arts and crafts jeweller. She spent a short amount of time studying at Glasgow School of Arts, before marrying her husband James Mursell Thew in 1903. James Thew was an engineer who enjoyed silversmithing, making pieces for his wife. Through this, Mary fostered her own interest in the craft, making her own designs. After only a few years of marriage, however, James died. Left with a young son to care for, Mary turned her hobby into a professional career. She took a short course of four lessons with renowned Arts and Crafts Jewellery Rhoda Wager.

Maker: Mary Thew

Designer: Mary Thew

Date :  c 1905

Marks: T, not assayed

Material: Sterling silver, abalone

Condition: Very good

Size: 9 cm long

Weight : 10 grams, 0.4 oz