An English Victorian silver-plated spoon warmer by William Hutton & Sons, one of Sheffield’s leading makers of silver-plated wares during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Crafted in the form of a nautilus shell, the body is decorated with finely chased foliate ornament and rests on a naturalistic, jagged base accented with a shell motif. The underside is stamped with the maker’s mark together with “EPBM” (Electroplated Britannia Metal) and shape number 02062. The shell is beautifully modelled, with engraved trailing foliage enhancing its sculptural form and reflecting the Victorian fascination with naturalistic and marine-inspired design. Spoon warmers were a practical yet decorative feature of well-appointed Victorian dining tables. Filled with hot water, they were used to keep serving spoons warm between courses, preventing gravies, sauces, and soups from cooling too quickly.