Tablespoon
INSCRIPTION: Engraved with the initials “HCS–with the surname initial “C” below proper name initials “H” and “C”–and and a three-point floral device on reverse of handle face. The initials most likely represent Charleston carpenter Henry Christie (d.1775) and his first wife Sarah Nelson Christie (1718-d.c.1752).
MARK: Struck twice on reverse of handle with intaglio “D.YOU” mark in a rectangle reserve.
MAKER: Daniel You (b.c.1715-d.1750) is known to have worked in Charleston from approximately 1737 until his death in 1750. He was most likely the son of Jacques (James/John) You (b.c.1690–d.1749) and Marie (Mary) Paitreau You (b.c.1690–d.1753) and older brother of Charleston silversmith Thomas You (b.c.1730-1750). Daniel You was a member of the South Carolina Society and the inventory of his estate lists his tools and patterns. See Gary Albert, “Scratching the Surface: Thomas You, Charleston Silversmith, Engraver, and Patriot,” MESDA Journal, Vol. 33 (2012), online: http://www.mesdajournal.org/2012/scratching-surface-thomas-you-charleston-silversmith-engraver-patriot/ (accessed 5 June 2017) and E. Milby Burton, “South Carolina Silversmiths 1690-1860” (Charleston, SC: Charleston Museum, 1967).
FORM: Larger serving spoons such as this one began to supplement ordinary tablespoons during the eighteenth century. By the nineteenth century, spoons were crafted for such specific purposes as serving salt and sugar (salt spoons), food items (serving spoons), punch and soup (ladles), and for stirring tea and/or eating custard or ice cream (teaspoons).
