Rare Large Size Provincial Silver Gibson Type Medicine Spoon

A very rare large George IV Provincial silver 'Gibson' type medicine or physic Spoon, the hollow tapered handle is open at the end to allow the user to control the quantity of medicine consumed by placing a finger over the aperture. The elongated oval bowl has a lid with a flush hinge and is engraved with contemporary script initials - 'MB'.

By John Lawrence & Co, Birmingham, 1828.

Charles Gibson designed spoons with lids in 1827. They prevented spillage when giving medicine to those unable to keep still or who had difficulty swallowing. These could include children and the mentally ill. There is a hinged cover over the bowl into which the medicine was placed. The handle was often hollow and had a lip or small hole. This was covered with a thumb to prevent air entering. Air was admitted when the thumb was removed. This forced the medicine down the patient’s throat.

£820.00