This spoon belongs to the collection of silver and EPNS (electroplated nickel silver) tableware, trophies, napkin rings and spoons made and/or used in Australia between the 1890s and 1950s. Presented to the Museum in 2002, the collection was assembled in the 1980s by Dr G W Kenneth Cavill, an Emeritus Professor of the University of New South Wales. In his retirement, Professor Cavill has researched and published the histories of notable Australian silverware manufacturers of the first part of the 20th century. The collection is representative of their products.

Souvenir, commemorative and presentation spoons are particularly well represented. Spoons of Australian design, decorated with Australia's unique flora and fauna, were made from at least the 1890s. Designs celebrating important Australian events began with those promoting Australia's Federation in 1901. Silver presentation spoons were popular from the 1920s. This golfing trophy was made in the workshop of the Melbourne firm of G. & E. Rodd. Established by George Rodd in 1919, G. & E. Rodd made such popular items as watch alberts, bracelets, rings, cuff links, tie pins, brooches, lockets, crosses and from the early 1930s also presentation medals and enamelled badges and spoons. By the late 1930s, G. & E. Rodd was the leading firm of manufacturing jewellers in Australia. In 1948 they became a public company, Rodd (Australia) Ltd. The firm's successors continued the business until 1985. (See: K.Cavill, 'The jewellery and silverware of G & E. Rodd, and its successors', Australiana, 1987 (1), pp15-18; also K. Cavill, 'Commemorative and souvenir spoons of Australian interest, 1894-1994', Australiana, 1994 (4), pp 95-106.)

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Powerhouse Museum