Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is a good quality Victorian Sterling Silver Dessert Spoon in the traditional Fiddle pattern. The Dessert Spoon is made in Exeter in a fair gauge of silver by silversmith John Osment and dates to 1853. John Osment was a specialist Exeter spoonmaker who operated from around 1818 up to the mid-1850s. Exeter has a long history of assaying silver with the assay office being formally established by Act of Parliament in 1701. It was the principle assay office for the south west of England but was closed in 1882, making Exeter silver much sought after by collectors.

There are two sets of initials engraved at the top of the stem: "HWB to JWH" which suggests that this was made for a wedding, either as a gift or possibly as part of a service for use at the wedding breakfast, in which case it must have been a very smart wedding! The hallmarks on the underside of the stem are well struck and crisp and clear to read.

The Dessert Spoon is in very good condition with just the most minimal wear and tear. Indeed it seems that it has had very little use over the last 167 years, perhaps being kept as a treasured family memento. It would make any interesting addition to any collection. Please make sure you look at all the photos.

The spoon is 18cm long and weighs in at 39.5g of solid Sterling Silver.
The hallmarks are the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the 3 towered wall assay mark for Exeter, the gothic date letter "R" for 1853, the Queen Victoria duty mark and the JO makers' mark for John Osment.

Shipping in the UK is £4 by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed For.
Overseas customers please enquire about shipping costs before making a purchase.