Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is a good quality George IV Sterling Silver Salt Spoon in the classic Fiddle pattern. The spoon was made by William Hope and assayed in Exeter in 1821. William Hope was a specialist spoon maker based in Plymouth Dock who is listed in the Exeter records between 1816 and 1833. As with many condiment spoons from this era, the town assay mark isn't included but the distinctive shape of the Exeter date letter and the makers' mark clearly identify that it was assayed in Exeter.

Exeter has a long history of assaying silver going back into the 16th century but the assay office was formally established by Act of Parliament in 1701, some 70 years before Birmingham and Sheffield got their assay offices. Exeter was the principal assay office for silversmiths and goldsmiths across the whole of south-west England but as manufacturing became concentrated further north the work dried up and the office closed in 1882. Because of its comparative rarity, Exeter silver has become highly collectable.

This is a well made spoon in a decent gauge of silver. There is a very smartly engraved initial "F" at the top of the stem. It would make a good addition to any collection of salt spoons or Exeter silver and is also entirely usable for condiments on a dining table today.

Condition is good with only the superficial wear you would expect after nearly 200 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The salt spoon is 9.6cm / 3.75" long and weighs a respectable 8.1g / 0.3oz of silver.

The hallmarks on the underside of the stem are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the Exeter date letter "e", the George III duty mark (although George IV was now King it took a while for his duty mark to come into use) and the WH makers' mark for William Hope.

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