Description

A rare matched set of six Hanoverian pattern three pronged forks. Lovely early English style. Each with a matching hand engraved crest to the reverse. One spoon is by David Willaume I, George I reign and made from Britannia* standard silver. The others are from George II reign and made from sterling silver 925 grade. Total weight 372 grams, 11.9 troy ounces. Length 18.5-19 cms (some variation). Mixed dates 1713-1744. Mixed makers, some unidentified.
Table silver of this date was stamped with “up the handle” silver marks which were punched on the thin central part of the handle and it is not unusual that these stamps are distorted or badly struck and difficult to read.

Literature: Fork 1 – London 1717 by David Willaume I
Fork 2 – London 1733 by William Petley
Fork 3 – London circa 1735 by Isaac Callard
Fork 4 – London 1742 maker “OS” unidentified
Fork 5 – London 1744 maker unidentified
Fork 6 – London circa 1744 maker unidentified

*Britannia Standard silver. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.