GEORGE II SILVER STILTON CHEESE SCOOP

James Wilks, London, 1754

(from a heavy gauge tablespoon, and of excellent weight and proportion)

In the Hanoverian pattern with upturned terminal scratch engraved I over P * N, with shovel form scoop

Condition: Excellent.

As stilton scoops came into fashion about 1790, this is doubtless a conversion from a heavy gauge table spoon.

However, both bowl and shaft are of good thickness with no bend to either.

The shape of the bowl is also of excellent form. The balance is also excellent.

Stilton cheese, introduced c1720, is named for the village of Stilton, about 80 miles north of London -

although it was never made there. In the 18th century, the town of Stilton was a staging post for coaches,

where horses were changed and weary travelers sought refreshment en route to Scotland and other Northern cities.

In fact, the inn owners vied with one another to see who could provide the swiftest service and best food. Cooper Thornhill,

the landlord of the famous Bell Inn, introduced these travelers to the creamy, blue-veined cheese, which he purchased from

cheese maker, Frances Pawlett of nearby Melton Mowbray. In 1789, Mr. Thornhill, being something of an entrepreneur,

staged an illegal bare-knuckle boxing match, erecting a tent for over 3000 spectators, many of whom were impeccably

dressed gentlemen in frock coats and high collars. As wine, bread and Stilton cheese were plentiful, perhaps some gentleman

bent his silver spoon and determined to have his silversmith to invent the new implement. This is conjecture, but Stilton

cheese scoops appear shortly thereafter in 1790. They were popular until c1914, when wedges of cheese

replaced the whole of half Stilton wheel.

Stilton, the King of Cheeses, is best served at room temperature, needing a curved implement for serving without crumbling.

It is still made in much the same way as it was in the early 1700's, when a local Wymondham saying became popular:

"Drink a pot of ale, eat of scoop of Stilton, every day, you will make 'old bones'."

1.2 oz.

7.25" Long

SOLD

#5790

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