Rare gold handled garnet spoon, France mid 16th century

A rare gold handled garnet spoon.
French, mid 16th century.

The spoon measures 11.7cm in length.
The garnet bowl measures 3.5 x 2.4cm.

The slender, high carat gold handle is elegantly engraved with a spiral ribbon winding up the length of the handle. The hexagonal finial is stepped, the end engraved with a star. The bowl of the spoon is carved from a large garnet, the handle is secured to the bowl by a carved fleur-de-lis inside the bowl and a rat’s tail to the reverse. The spoon is accompanied with a bronze display stand.

Provenance: Purchased from Galerie Kugel in the 1990’s, described as a Henri II period mocha spoon, circa 1550.