Description

Three early English silver spoons in the popular Hanoverian rat-tail pattern. Lovely plain style. Britannia standard silver*. Each with a hand engraved monogram to the reverse. Weight 182 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. London 1716. Length 19.5 cms. Maker probably IJ.

Literature: *Britannia Standard. 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.

Signed/Inscribed: 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.