Saddam Hussein’s Spoon

Description

A fine piece of silverware once belonging to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein (1937 – 2006) and taken by a soldier from one of his palaces. The 5.25 in. sterling silver spoon bears the Iraqi national eagle engraved at the bottom. This piece was made by respected, internationally known silversmiths Christofle and bear their hallmark. Very good.

Saddam Hussein was born into a poor family in Tikrit, 100 miles outside of Baghdad, in 1937. After moving to Baghdad as a teenager, Saddam joined the now-infamous Baath party, which he would later lead. He participated in several coup attempts, finally helping to install his cousin as dictator of Iraq in July 1968. Saddam took over for his cousin 11 years later.

During his 24 years in office, Saddam’s secret police, charged with protecting his power, terrorized the public, ignoring the human rights of the nation’s citizens. While many of his people faced poverty, he lived in incredible luxury, building more than 20 lavish palaces throughout the country. Obsessed with security, he is said to have moved among them often, always sleeping in secret locations.