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A608492, Earthenware medicine spoon, cream glaze, 1801-1920, English(?). A608496, Porcelain medicine spoon, with bowed
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Porcelain medicine spoon, cream glaze, 1801-1920, English(?)
Medicine spoons, such as this white example, were used to measure out doses of liquid medicines. The leaf-shaped moulded decoration at the bottom of the handle gives the spoon stability. Medicine spoons were popular during the 1800s and were generally ceramic (like this one) or pewter. Some had a half cover to prevent the medicine spilling over the sides. One of the problems with this type of spoon is that it is not marked with any scale, although later spoons are marked with a scale of teaspoon, dessertspoon and tablespoon. It is shown here with a blue and white example (A608496).
On display
Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
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Details
- Category:
- Pharmacy-ware
- Object Number:
- A608492
- type:
- medicine spoon
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- medicine measure
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
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