Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

Who doesn’t adore a delicious, chocolate bonbon?  A decadent bonbon served with an antique sterling silver bonbon spoon is even better! Today, I’m sharing a little snippet of history about these delicate, finely made sterling silver bonbon spoons, so that you, too, will be Bedazzled by Bonbon Spoons.

 

 

 

The name bon bons comes from the French word “bon”, which means “good”.  Double “bons”, or bonbon, sometimes spelled bon bon, makes for a double delight!

 

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

 

 

First, a little about the Bonbons themselves. They haven’t always been drenched in delectable chocolate. When they first became an exceptional gift to give, and receive, they were very different from what they are now!

 

Long ago, the bonbon could also be a very small sweet made with sugar coated almonds, so small {and expensive} that the containers for them were miniature works of art.  The little antique enameled box we sold quite a while ago – shown below –  is an example of a such “bonbon” container.

 

 

 

In the French Royal Court, giving the gift of the bonbons was a gesture of distinction and good taste.  Especially for the New Year celebration, ladies and gentlemen of the court gifted bonbons in very fanciful boxes as a way of honoring the recipient.

 

The boxes were often made of gold, or gilded metal, and had hand painted portraits on the top.  This antique gilt jeweled “Bonbon” Box – which was now intended to hold jewelry or powder on a vanity, below, with it’s little portrait on top is a design made in the 1800’s. Designs such as this one were Inspired by the chocolate or candy boxes of the upper echelon of France’s society.  Made with the greatest care by Empire Art, each one was a treasure, candy or not.

 

French bon bon box

 

In the late 1800’s when chocolate making, both in small elite chocolate boutiques as well as larger company settings really became popular, the bonbon was still a much appreciated and favored gift.  Meant to be a delicacy served with coffee or tea, luxury presentation pieces were designed to hold the delicious bonbons.

 

This miniature Tiffany sterling pierced basket  was made between 1904 -1907. It resembled the large bride’s baskets but was meant to showcase and serve petite chocolate bonbons.

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

Slightly larger, for a real chocolate aficionado, porcelain candy containers were created in all sorts of designs. The one pictured below was made of bisque with cherub designs and in the shape of an egg, on a gilded stand. It would be a wonderful treat to set up on a side board or your tea table filled with delicious chocolate bonbons, non?

 

 

antique Sevres Porcelain

 

 

Because chocolates really do better without refrigeration, little BonBon spoons and tongs were designed and made by silversmiths so that no one had to touch the room temperature chocolates with one’s fingers.

 

 

antique silver bonbon tongs

 

 

Each guest could select the perfect bonbon from the beautiful silver bonbon baskets or boxes with a petite sized silver tong like the one above. No need to touch any of the chocolates with their fingers.

 

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

 

Most bonbon spoons have a pierced bowl, and exquisite designs.  Some were monogrammed as a special gift.

 

 

sterling candy spoon

 

 

While we’re not court ladies and gentlemen with nothing better to do than carefully choose bonbon after bonbon in our leisure time, we can adapt these lovely sterling antique spoons and baskets for entertaining today.

 

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

An inspired way to serve our favorite chocolates, or after dinner mints to guests.  One of our FrenchGardenHouse clients adds a spoon or two to her collection each time we offer them, she uses them to serve nuts during cocktail hour at home!

 

 

Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons

 

 

SHOP antique sterling bonbon spoons here >

 

 

Now that you know a little bit of their history, are you a little more Bedazzled by Bonbon Spoons?

 

 

A BIENTOT

 

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com

12 thoughts on “Bedazzled by BonBon Spoons”

  1. Shirley, they are so delicate and fine! Makes you WANT to be on your best behavior and not gobble up too many chocolates! : )

  2. Lois Scott

    Thank you for the lovely pictures and history of bon-bons and the spoons and boxes used for serving and keeping them. I had seen the spoons before, but the beautiful boxes and silver serving containers were new to me as being used for bon-bons. Thank you again,

    1. Lois, thank you for your visit, and for leaving a comment. Those bonbons were quite expensive {and can still be!} their sterling spoons and holders are delightful, aren’t they?

  3. Gorgeous little works, Lidy. Although I actually have a bon bon spoon and tongs, I just always thought they were perhaps for petit fours and sugar cubes, respectively. It’s nice to know the actual history. And those bon bon boxes – wow! I would’ve guessed they were some sort of vanity accessory, such as patch box or something. Thank you for sharing. It’s always a treat to see your beautiful antiques and learn of them.

  4. Thank you so much for this post. I have some of the spoons without realizing it. At my next Tea I host, I will most definitely put some bonbons out with my spoons.

    Your posts motivate me so much. They inspire me, to decorate my 1831 home and B&B. Guest love me little touches. Thanks again

    1. Jackie, I love that you “discovered” your spoons! Aren’t they so sweet? Happy February!

  5. I love & collect bon bon spoons. Every other year I decorate my Christmas tree with them.

    1. I love that idea, Lisa! What a fun way to use them for the holidays.

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