Souvenir spoon with profile portraits of Queen Victoria 1896 - 1897

Editor: So, this is a silver souvenir spoon, dating from 1896 or '97, featuring profile portraits of Queen Victoria. It was created by Saunders & Shepherd. I find the spoon, itself a utilitarian object, transformed into a kind of royal commemorative artifact quite fascinating. How does this spoon speak to you? Curator: Well, this spoon provides a really interesting lens through which to view Victorian society and the evolving role of the monarchy. Think about it: a souvenir. It speaks to a growing culture of tourism and a burgeoning middle class with disposable income, keen to acquire emblems of national pride and loyalty. Editor: So, this isn’t just a spoon, it’s a statement about belonging and status? Curator: Exactly. The depiction of Queen Victoria, reproduced en masse on an everyday object, cleverly reinforced her image as a maternal figurehead and linked her legacy with concepts of British progress, stability and moral standing. In a way, it democratized access to royalty, making the Queen a tangible symbol of a widespread Empire for even ordinary people. What strikes you about its design choices? Editor: The spoon’s bowl is inscribed with the date, while two effigies crown the handle, giving a certain permanence to it all... Is the fact that there are two likenesses of her especially significant? Curator: That's a really insightful question. Having two portraits of Victoria could imply a visual emphasis on her extended reign – reflecting back towards her earlier rule, while celebrating her then-current position as empress. It acted as a marker of time, almost an announcement of a sustained, ongoing golden age of British society, further enhancing that connection between sovereign and society. Editor: So, this spoon encapsulates both national pride and astute brand management through material culture? Curator: Precisely. And understanding this helps us appreciate how powerful even seemingly simple objects can be in shaping public perception and cementing political narratives. Editor: I see the image of royalty quite differently now. Thanks!