This is one of my favorite spoon designs, designed by Robert Leding of Leding & Moore, Washington, D.C.; U.S. Design Patent #20,339 was issued on Nov. 18, 1890. The patent application describes it as, "...a representation of the Washington Monument, forming the main ornamentation of the spoon-handle, and surrounded by a wreath or garland entwined along the monument, and a representation of the United States Capitol building, occupying the center of the bowl.". It was a very popular souvenir, offered in tea, orange and coffee sizes, and was also available all gilt or just the bowl (a light gold-wash remains on this one).
The Washington Monument, a marble obelisk towering 555' 5⅛" high and weighing 81,120 tons, was completed in 1884 after decades of planning and construction; a four-year renovation was completed in 2000. The monument, with its long reflecting pool is an awe-inspiring sight - and who can forget the scene with Forrest Gump and Jenny reuniting there? Images of the obelisk are still a popular souvenir, the 1901 advertisement below shows the spoon along with some other Washington, D.C. novelty items.
