Hello From Missouri

[murreywalker]

My wife and I have a small collection of antique and contemporary bottles.

However my purpose today, is to try to get some input on what my daughter in law found at an estate sale.

She was told is was a snuff spoon. Personally, I have my doubts, but in things such as this, I'm still using training wheels. ;-)

The overall length of this device is about six inches.

Thanks In Advance!

http://www.pbase.com/murreywalker/image/158979674/large

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Murreywalker,
      Yes it is, but I believe it is Scottish rather than Chinese, and for use with a Scottish Snuff Mull (a large snuff box made of a small ram's horn).
      I saw one in the Cavalry & Guards Club Dining Room in London. There was an oval Mahogany platter, about 12 inches by 8 inches, and a bit over an inch thick.  Placed  on top on silver supports, was a silver and mother of pearl snuff scoop like the one you posted; behind it, also placed on silver supports, was a Snuff Mull of an 8 inch long ram's horn with a hinged silver 'trap door' in a  silver frame sealing the open end.
      After dining, when some gentlemen lit up cigars with the port,  they passed the platter around, and those who so desired, took the Mull in one hand, opened the 'trap door',  picked up the snuff scoop, and used it to remove some snuff.  They then replaced the two pieces on the platter and passed it on around the table. They also had a supply of loud tartan design cotton handkerchiefs, for those who took the snuff to use to sneeze into.
    When I first saw it, the scoop end actually reminded me of an Irish Georgian Marrow scoop or spoon in my possession. When I asked, I was told the above info.
    Hope it is of use,
Shabbat Shalom,
   Joey

[George]

Hello and welcome ...

Interesting spoon.. Quite a story from Joey to go along with finding out exactly where this is from .

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear George,
     It was thanks to snuff bottles that I had luncheon at the Cavalry & Guards Club in London! A fellow collector hosted me. The dining room at my club, The Sloane Club, is much better. But not as interesting an atmosphere.
Shabbat Shalom,
  Joey

[murreywalker]

Dear Murreywalker,
      Yes it is, but I believe it is Scottish rather than Chinese, and for use with a Scottish Snuff Mull (a large snuff box made of a small ram's horn).
      I saw one in the Cavalry & Guards Club Dining Room in London. There was an oval Mahogany platter, about 12 inches by 8 inches, and a bit over an inch thick.  Placed  on top on silver supports, was a silver and mother of pearl snuff scoop like the one you posted; behind it, also placed on silver supports, was a Snuff Mull of an 8 inch long ram's horn with a hinged silver 'trap door' in a  silver frame sealing the open end.
      After dining, when some gentlemen lit up cigars with the port,  they passed the platter around, and those who so desired, took the Mull in one hand, opened the 'trap door',  picked up the snuff scoop, and used it to remove some snuff.  They then replaced the two pieces on the platter and passed it on around the table. They also had a supply of loud tartan design cotton handkerchiefs, for those who took the snuff to use to sneeze into.
    When I first saw it, the scoop end actually reminded me of an Irish Georgian Marrow scoop or spoon in my possession. When I asked, I was told the above info.
    Hope it is of use,
Shabbat Shalom,
   Joey

Joey, I see where you're of "Hero Status".

Couldn't agree more!

Many Thanks,
Murrey

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Murrey,
    Thank you. Oh, I forgot to mention that the mother of pearl bit on the end is for breaking up snuff clumps inside the mull.
Best,
Shabbat Shalom,
 Joey

[Wattana]

Dear Joey

Thanks for the detailed information. I'd never have guessed, and my ancestors are Scottish!
Is your middle name 'Mac' by any chance?   

Tom

[Joey Silver / Si Zhouyi 義周司]

Dear Tom,

    No, it's Baruch! As I always say," Jews do one thing well. We study well!"   

    When I first wore my Wexford Tartan kilt as a Wexford Senator to the House of Lords, complete with a Kipa or skullcap in the Wexford colours of purple and gold (I'd been invited by  Baroness May Blood of Northern Ireland), a gentleman asked me if I'd got my kilt from Cohen & Sons, kilt-makers on the Golden Mile in Edinburgh. I replied that I'd bought it at Kinloch Anderson, in Leith.
I said,"If they are good enough for the Queen, they are good enough for this queen!". 

Shabbat Shalom,
    Joey

Dear Joey

Thanks for the detailed information. I'd never have guessed, and my ancestors are Scottish!
Is your middle name 'Mac' by any chance?   

Tom