Summary

This mustard spoon was excavated during one of the digs conducted at the Commonwealth Block site between 1988 and 2003. It is made of beaten copper and then plated in silver.

Food and eating.
Kitchen facilities in the homes of Little Lon were rudimentary. Few people had ovens or ice chests, so perishable foods were bought fresh daily. Most meals were fried or boiled over an open fire. Families with limited facilities would take their Sunday roasts to a nearby bakery for cooking. Even the poorest residents of Little Lon seem to have eaten a considerable amount of meat. Mutton, beef, rabbit and pork came from the Eastern Market in Bourke Street. Oysters and fish were sold from barrows in Flinders Street. Fresh fruit and vegetables were hawked on the streets by Chinese and Italian vendors.

Physical Description

This is a mustard spoon which would have been silver plated, some of which remains on the handle. The handle is rounded at the end and the bowl of the spoon is also round. It has become encrusted.

Physical Description

Mustard spoon - probably beaten copper, had been silver plated, remnants of plating on handle. 9.5 cm long. Conservation Department advised, June 1999, that it was probably silver plate on a copper alloy base. No hallmark.

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