Posted 12 years ago
tsargood
(2 items)
Hi
I came across this spoon in a box of old stuff I was given through my family. Im told my Great Grandfather bought it some many years ago when he was young from an auction house in London UK somewhere but that is all I know about it. He died Long before I was born and Im 40 now.
Any info on it would be very interesting. Is that date for real? is that a makers mark? Whats it made from? etc
tsargood@yahoo.com
Regards
Tim
The marks at the end of the spoon probably indicate a marriage between FF and MB in 1630. Lucky you!
Please do not clean the spoon!
I think the form is called a "Seal Top Spoon".
It looks to be "parcel gilt".
Prick-dot engraved with initials F.F. over M.B.
1630 dates it to the reign of Charles I, beheaded in 1649.
At this date you do not expect the English date letters called Hallmarks introduced around 1696.
But there is a mark in the bowl!
The silver mark?
Not sure.
Check these out.
http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Click_here_for_sold_silver_spoons.html
Again I add. Do not clean the spoon!
Wow thanks!
I wont clean it. I like the patina.
I guess the obvious question is, whats it worth? and where can I sell it?
Thanks
Are you in England? If so then go to the big auction houses. If it is real then you have an item of some value. But your great grandfather gave you an heirloom. I would keep it, but then I am a collector. It is a "keeper"!
Google "seal top spoon Charles I" and go to "images". There you will see spoons from the big auction houses and prices achieved. Not retirement territory but not bad for a spoon. Keep it. It's like money in the bank.
This is a really nice example of an early English spoon, Sean!
Great collector's piece!
I have family in California and Uk so I could do either.
I'm in Australia.
I plan to sell it to help fund a new car for the family, thanks to my long gone great grandad.
I added a close up of the mark in the bowl. Any ideas?
That does not look like a crowned leopard's head. Maybe a makers mark?
http://www.smpub.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000635.html
http://www.smpub.com/cv/6/cc6title.html
G'day from Sydney!
I was just now told by a dealer from the UK its worth 400 pounds
Not enough for me to part with it
Back in the box it goes until maybe my son or future grandchild finds it when Im gone!
There you go! An heirloom!
Hi guys
Just found another spoon!! Robert Luke is the maker I believe
See the next post if you like.
Love to hear anything about it.
Ive also just dug out a huge box of tea spoons from all over the world, there are dozens of them! but Im pretty sure they are not very old, maybe from my grandmothers trip around the world by boat in the 40's
Cheers
Tim