M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES
SET of 11 QUEEN ANNE BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS
Right to Left: Lawrence Jones (6), London, 1706
Lewis Mettayer (3), London , 1708
Joseph Barbut (1), London, 1703
Philip Roker II (1), London, 1721
all crested en suite
Provenance for the left three - Mettayer (1), Barbut, Roker : How of Edinburgh
(Left to right - Jones: #1-6; Mettayer: #7-9; Barbut #10: Roker #11)
Below: Lawrence Jones (6)
(Jones marks)
(Jones Marks and Terminal Crest)
Left to right: Mettayer 1,2,3; Barbut 4; Roker 5
(Mettayer Marks and Terminal Crest)
(Barbut Marks and Terminal Crest)
(Roker Marks and Terminal Crest)
Rare set of 11 (6 + 3 + 1 + 1) Britannia silver dognose spoons with upturned wavy end terminals, the bowls with
molded rattail attachments, each crested alike with contemporary arms depicting a demi-lion rampant, in paw a
scimitar, below three mullets, within an oval and mantle surmounted by a helmet
Marks: Good to excellent
Some date and Britannia marks rubbed but legible
Lawrence Jones (6) - Grimwade #3665, JO with crown above and star below
Lewis Mettayer (3) - Grimwade # 2018, ME in a shaped punch with 2 devices above
Joseph Barbut (1) - Grimwade # 119, BA beneath a crown surmounted by a sun (Huguenot maker)
Philip Roker II (1) - #2398, RO beneath a crown and above a flower (apprenticed to Barbut) (George I)
Condition: Excellent
Note: Mettayer was an important Huguenot maker, the brother-in-law of, and apprenticed to David Willaume I.
Provenance for the 1 Mettayer, Barbut and Roker : How of Edinburgh.
Each 8” Long; 24.9 oz. total weight
SOLD
We welcome and encourage all inquiries. We will make every attempt to answer any questions you might have.
#5421
Note: We have two more sets of dognose (wavy-end) spoons
SET OF 6 QUEEN ANNE BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS
Andrew Archer, London, 1708-9,
Each 7-7/8” Long; 13.4 oz. total weight
#5420
SET OF 6 QUEEN ANNE/ GEORGE I BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS
Thomas Allen (4), London, 1710; John Millington (2), London, 1721
7 7/8” Long; 12.4 total weight
#5420a
BRITISH SILVER SPOON SETS
Sets of spoons are quite rare in the early 18th century.
The use of spoon-like utensils goes back to pre-history. Earliest spoons were probably shells - the word spoon
deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word spon, meaning sliver of wood. The earliest found silver British spoon dates to the
Anglo-Saxon period (499-1060) and resides in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. From the 1500's, single silver spoons were
often given at birth to the wealthy as a lifetime utensil. These were carried about on the person when traveling - through a
slit in the hat or perhaps in a "cutlery pouch" suspended from the waist - a practice common even into the early 18th century.
(See illustration below, c1620). If one forgot his/her utensils, the "house spoon" of wood of pewter might be supplied by the inn or host.
In the 16th and early 17th century, a royal or extremely wealthy newborn might be recipient of a small "set" of apostle
spoons at christening; however, even those were given by multiple sponsors, the sponsorship being limited to 3 in the second half
of the 16th century. A complete set of apostle spoons would comprise 13 spoons - 12 apostles and one master spoon. Few
complete such complete sets still exist, and usually reside in museums.
Small silver dessert sets were introduced in the mid-1690's, usually in sets of 6, both in the trefid and dognose (wavy-end) patterns.
In the Queen Anne period (1703-14), although most spoons were still ordered in singles or pairs, some small sets were ordered -
usually still in sets of 6. These were added to as needed. It is interesting to note that dinner silver forks with three tines were not
introduced until the Queen Anne period. The earlier clergy contended that God gave people fingers for eating. The "sherbet course"
was introduced at this time, not to clear the palette, as commonly thought, but for the washing of the single fork. (Knives were
ordered from "haft makers", and not included with sets of silver until the late 18th century).
Although sets of 12 utensils (forks or spoons) were ordered from c1720 forward, the complete set of silver flatware, as we know
it today, did not come about until c1760. Even early Georgian Hanoverian sets are quite rare.
The presented Britannia set is exceptional, both in existence and in condition, all with arms en suite, and without tip wear.
The dating is Queen Anne, with one addition in 1721 (George I) by Philip Roker II, who was apprenticed to Barbut,
maker of the earliest of these spoons in 1703.
For information, call (901) 761-1163 or (901) 683-4668 or email mfcreech@bellsouth.net
American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover accepted
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