Another mystery utensil

This is fascinating, susan g -- thanks for sharing!

Eatyourbooks.com has a little article about table food implements, with this paragraph: I think the big thing that happened in the 19th century was a new civilization of table manners -- a new anxiety at the table about touching food, handling food. These specialized spoons go along with that because it's a way of never feeling you have to get too close to food with all of its stickiness and noise. It's a way of being extremely polite. There were even special solid silver potato chip servers marketed by Tiffany's, which I think is a very rarefied item. I'm not sure many households have those today.
There's more in the full article, based on an interview on The Splendid Table -- interesting! http://www.eatyourbooks.com/blog/2013/6/17/what-food-implement-is-used-by-every-culture-in-the-world

We must get to the bottom of this. Mid-century, silverware-makers often made the same patterns with different names. Such as "Coronation" vs "Hampton Court."

EmilyC, if you email a couple close-up photos of your cherry tomato server (the handle end, the stem and the spoon) to [email protected], they will identify the pattern.

My Grandmother used the smaller one to serve pickles and pickled veg that were set in bowls at the dinner table.

My mother always called it Coronation, if that helps

In my family service: aspic (tomato or celery) server...

Sorry, it's not Hampton. (I'm doing a search for two other people right now...)

OK, I've neglected my family long enough... last post.
The smaller one appears to be Hampton Court.

@PeteF... Yes! Absinthe!

I love this thread too (I have minor OCD regarding silverware). Healthierkitchen, as I pick myself up and sit back down on my chair, I'm going to assume your service is hollow-ware. However, if you have sterling silver service for 40, I just want you to know I am your NEW BEST FRIEND FOREVER. ;-) I think the new "Provisions" site on Food52 will need a whole section devoted to silver and bizarre serving pieces.

My mind immediately went to absinthe spoon!

I love this thread! The last item I couldn't identify belonged to my husband's grandmother and turned out to be grape scissors!

Oh my, healthierkitchen! My parents were married in 1949, so that last note sent me to my silver chest. I did not have a round perforated spoon, but I did have one that's about the size and shape of a teaspoon. It's sterling but very light weight. I'm pretty sure I've never used it but am thinking it would be great for olives.

I think the pattern is called Coronation

Yup, it did look like Community to me. It's an Oneida silverplate pattern that everyone from certain areas of the Northeast, of a certain age, seems to have regeistered for or been given for a wedding gift. I have many friends whose parents had the same set. My mother and aunt both had it and apparently, my grandmother liked it so much when they got it, that she got some too. I now have service for about 40 and there are about 10 or 12 more place settings floating around the family. My parents married in 1950 in NYC, though one friend's parents who also had it married then too but in Ottawa.

This one looks quite a bit like yours http://www.ebay.com/itm/Community-Plate-HAMPTON-COURT-BON-BON-SERVER-/251275497365

healthier kitchen - if I remember correctly, bon bons were soft candies made from chocolate. It was probably frowned upon to stick in your fingers, to ply out some of the candies.

Thanks everyone! How interesting that several of you have or recognize the serving piece. My mom bought it for $1.00 -- the store owner didn't know its original purpose either. I imagine I'll end up using it mostly for relish or pickled vegetables -- though you all have given me lots of other good ideas on how to use it!

Correction--hate typos! Used to serve berries

I wonder if it's a berry spoon. It's about the right size and shape. Uses for service berries, of course.

During the Victorian period, silver sets included specialized pieces for serving just about any food you could imagine. So, I'd use it for whatever seems practical--including cherry tomatoes. See http://www.slpl.org/slpl/interests/Article240133029.asp

I have this same piece, it came with a 120 year old china set that I inherited. My granny used it to scoop tea bags out of the tea pot. Not sure if tea scooper is its technical use--but I still use mine that way.

My aunt used something like this as a candy server. 55 years ago. Both pieces are lovely!

Another kind of specialty pierced spoon I've seen is a pea server, though at 4.5 inches it probably was intended as a candy server, as mentioned.

I guess what I really mean, is what exactly constitutes a bon bon that it would require a slotted server?

Emily - I think I have the exact same piece, maybe even the same pattern that was my mother's. I have to admit she used it for jellied cranberry sauce slices ;). What exactly is a bon bon spoon?

Alternatively... well it's for serving something wet, so could also be for relish or something like a whole cranberry sauce.

"cherry tomato server" - I'm still giggling.
It appears you have a pierced bon bon spoon:
http://replacements.com/piecetype/flat4.htm

It's 4.5 inches...

If it is 6 to 7 inches in length it could be a "Bon Bon Server"

If it is 6 to 7 inches in length it could be a "Bon Bon Server"

If it is 6 to 7 inches in length it could be a "Bon Bon" server.

My husband guessed the same thing! : )

Cherry Tomato Server? Lol.

Dont know the answer but have learnt a whole lot!!!!! Thanks!