Durgin Christmas 1885 Sterling Teaspoon

This 5 7/8" long, sterling silver teaspoon is quite singular. It is an early Durgin pattern that is not cataloged. It is plain, with a square end and essentially square shank. It is heavy, weighing 1.1 T. oz. While inscribed "Dec. 25, 1885" on the reverse, the design is clearly in the arts and crafts movement, so it was somewhat ahead of its time. The front bears the name "William Edward Taylor" in the same script as the backside. It may have been a youth spoon or just a presentation piece. The retailer was Boston's Shreve, Crump & Low, which was a substantial enough firm to have commissioned the work, but whether this is the case is uncertain. The maker's mark is the early Durgin bird surrounded by stars. The condition is outstanding.