Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is a good quality George III Sterling Silver Spice Sifter in the traditional Fiddle pattern. These spoons were used for sprinkling the likes of ground cayenne or cinnamon onto food at the dining table.

The sifter has a crest of a lion or bear's paw holding a dagger vertically upright. This was used by several prominent families in both Scotland and England with members of the MacDougall and McDowell clans perhaps the best known.

The sifter spoon was made in London by noted silversmith John Lias and dates to 1813. The firm was founded by John Lias in 1791. He was joined by his two sons Henry & Charles and later Henry's son Henry Jnr joined the partnership. Henry Lias Snr served as Prime Warden, the highest position, in the Goldsmiths Company of London. In 1878 James Wakely joined Henry Lias Jnr and after Henry's retirement he was replaced by Frank Wheeler to form Wakely & Wheeler. They remained in business up until 1957.

Condition is very good, with no dings, dents or damage and just the superficial surface wear that has to be anticipated after over 210 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The spice sifter is 12cm / 4.7ins long and 3.2cm / 1.2ins across the bowl. It weighs in at a respectable 18.8g / 0.66oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the stem, are a little rubbed but still clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the London date letter S for 1813, the George III duty mark and the I L makers' mark for John Lias.

Shipping in the UK is £6 by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.