Late 19th Century Silver Heraldic Souvenir Spoon With 5 Pesetas Coin Bowl Featuring King Alfonso Xii, Spain

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Late 19th Century silver heraldic souvenir spoon with 5 pesetas coin bowl featuring King Alfonso XII, Spain

By: unknown
Material: … Read more Late 19th Century silver heraldic souvenir spoon with 5 pesetas coin bowl featuring King Alfonso XII, Spain

By: unknown
Material: silver, metal
Technique: cast, molded, polished, metalwork
Dimensions: 1.5 in x 1.5 in x 5 in
Date: late 19th century
Style: Arts & Crafts, Belle Époque
Place of origin: Spain

Fashioned in Spain during the late 19th century, this silver souvenir spoon unites ornamental craftsmanship with historical significance. The bowl has been created from a Spanish 5 pesetas coin, bearing the profile of King Alfonso XII, whose reign was marked by the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy and a period of political transition following years of instability. Alfonso XII died prematurely in 1885, prompting the production of commemorative objects that circulated widely as symbols of loyalty and remembrance. The handle of the spoon displays heraldic decoration, with a crest-like finial and a twisted shaft enriched by molded details that highlight the silvery surface.

The combination of a functional form with a coin of national currency reflects a practice common in the era, transforming everyday objects into keepsakes that conveyed civic pride and dynastic memory while embodying the artistry of Spanish metalwork in the Belle Époque. See less