Revolutionary War Surgeons horn medical spoon, as in museums

This is another item coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 artifacts. Much of the collection was artillery related, but also there is a large portion of personal and medical items. Being offered is a Revolutionary War Surgeons spoon. It is carved from horn and measures 5 ½” x 1”.

These spoons were primarily used for the oral administration of medicines. Measuring and dispensing: medicine was crucial for accurately dispensing liquid medications, particularly in an era before standardized measuring devices like syringes. A larger dose could result in serious illness or even death.

There are examples of this spoon in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and in the Valley Forge Museum (see pictures). This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, diggers, and lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with any known provenance.

As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included. It would make a great addition to any Revolutionary War or early medical collection. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.