3" Steel Wire spoon

Back of handle is marked "Steel Wire" above "Pure Metal" in an oval, with a triangular shape between. Length about 3". Anyone know about this? Thanks.

 

'Zinnstahl' salt spoon - pewter with a steel wire embedded in the stem for strength, late 19th-early 20th century, made by Gebr. Noelle, based in Lüdenscheid, Germany...

~Cheryl

 

Thank you. I assume it was made for export to the US, thus the English usage? And before 1898 as no indication of place of manufacture? Again, many thanks.

 

The language would certainly seem to indicate it was intended for an English-speaking market. Not sure where 1898 comes in - the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, effective March 1, 1891, required a place of origin be indicated before entry into the U.S. This didn't necessarily mean that every single item was marked with the country name, if the items were sold in packaged groups or sets (and this spoon would have almost certainly have been sold to the retailer in multiples), the container would more likely bear the country of origin, and of course labels could also be used. This type of reinforced pewter spoon was made by a few companies, mostly German (at least one English firm), but they weren't particularly popular - if I recall correctly, this company was out of business before WWI...

~Cheryl

 

The act of 1890 was a major factor - but I was taught years ago to be conservative and was shown that a great many pieces sold after 1891 were non-conforming. Thank you.