Abalone fish ladle 1863 - any information?

We would imagine that this is a one-of-a-kind piece, and it appears to have been a gift for someone with the engraved initials... Any ideas on where this may have originated from, what else the initials could mean, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Approximately 13” long and 4” at its widest.

 

interesting..

 

caviar ladle

 

Wouldn't it be nice to have enough caviar to...just...ladle...?

 

That’s one big bunch of caviar!

 

Think you're not supposed to use metal with caviar. Seems most spoons with a polished shell for the bowl get described as being for caviar, although some I think are just souvenirs of seaside resorts. This one is much nicer than most.

 

wouldn't the fish eggs fall into the holes...?

 

Into, but not through; looks like that side is covered with silver.

 

ya...so some eggs and juice fall in there.....and how do you clean them out....
I don't think it would be good for fish eggs....

 

Ir's really very large for a caviar implement & design would lead to metal coming into contact with the roe.

 

still looks like the tail of a sturgueon to me. and I do not believe that people who used this would count the few eggs of roe that filled the holes and therebye separated the roe from the metal, a big loss.

 

Thanks for taking the time to speculate!

 

If i look in the things with the same idea i've seen, it can be made for separating the fat part in a gravy, the water based part goes through the holes and the fat stays in the ladle ?
For the provenance, it's easy to see where the date is write in that manner, the gothique writing is used in many countries at that period, a really nice example of silversmithing.
ps. it can be just a gift and with no real use…

 

Most certainly caviar, I've seen them that large. As a showy off thing, it was served in large crystal bowls. Looks English to me.

 

Think caviar spoon is the winner! I thought it was such an interesting item, we HAD to buy it! Thanks everyone!

 

he might need one...
https://www.danspapers.com/2013/09/...ers-caviar-baths-at-montauk-seafood-festival/

 

Actually, looking again, I think possibly Scottish.