TAIN – AN IMPORTANT SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL MASKING / MOTE SPOON HUGH ROSS marked HR within oval punch, the tapered upper section of stem with urn finial, the lower scroll work section of a pierced bowl with double drop heel

(19.2cm long, 20.3g)

Note: This extremely rare example of a Tain Masking spoon seems to fit between the traditional Scottish masking spoon for stirring the tea in the pot, and the English Mote spoon used to strain the floating leaves from the cup and clear blockages in the strainer/ spout. Three of these spoons are known to survive, all are illustrated in The Tain Silver Collection, Tain & District Museum’ page 31. The last example sold see Fine Scottish Silver Lyon & Turnbull, 13th February 2008, lot 49 (now within Tain & District Museum Collection 3283).