Tablespoon

Object Name:

Tablespoon

Object ID:

1941.007.24

Creator:

Lamfert, John

Place of Origin:

London, England

Date:

1767-1768

Description:

Silver Tablespoon. Short handle having shank slightly rounded on top and terminating in a flat disc known as a seal top; slightly ovoid bowl the size of that on usual tablespoon. Long rounded drop, the end of which was obliterated by the insertion of a shilling in the bottom of the bowl. Obverse of coin shows king's head, facing left, young-head version, having legend "GEORGIUS II DEI GRATIA". Reverse has four crowned shields forming a cross with the Star of the Garter at center and plumes and roses in the interstices; legend reading: " M.B.F.ET. H.REX.F.D.B. ET.LD.S.R.I. A.T.ET.E [17]34 ( latter being year of issue; note that the periods are actually pellets). Four impressed hallmarks on reverse of handle: "JL" in upper case script, pellet between, within rounded rectangular mark; lion passant within a rectangle; leopard's head crowned within a rounded rectangle; and upper case black lettering, "M", within a rectangle (date letter for 1767-1768). Feathered script initials with letters intertwined "MHJ" engraved on surface of seal-tip. Handle not in original condition, being cut to present length at some time since its manufacture. Shilling may have been inserted at same time.

Material:

Metal
Silver

Dimensions:

W-1.625 L-5.4 inches

Provenance:

Spoon bought by donor, Margaret H. Jewell (1866-1970), in Stratford in 1890.Initials engraved on the spoon, M .H.J., are those of the donor. Maker's mark of John Lamfert, London, England.

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell

People:

Jewell, Margaret H. (1866-1970), Lamfert, John