Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a rare late Victorian Sterling Silver Gilt and Enamel Spoon commemorating the Second Boer War (1899-1902). The stem of the spoon is decorated with a crown finial above the Union Flag and the Royal Standard. Below these are the three lions of England above an English rose, the lion rampant of Scotland above a Scottish thistle and the harp of Ireland above an Irish shamrock. The crown flags and shields are all enamelled as is the English rose. In the bowl of the spoon is an embossed portrait of Lord Roberts, the commander of British forces in South Africa during 1899/1900.

The ware had started badly for Britain in autumn 1899 with the Boers achieving early successes and laying siege to Ladysmith, Mafeking and Kimberley. This resulted in Field Marshall Lord Roberts being sent out to take charge. He successfully relieved the besieged towns and went on to capture the Boer capitals of Johannesberg and Pretoria and formally annex the two Boer states. This was seen by many in Britain as the end of the war and Roberts returned home. This spoon, hallmarked 1899 (July 1899-July 1900), was almost certainly produced to commemorate the relief of Mafeking in May 1900, which was hugely celebrated back in Britain.

The spoon was made in Birmingham by the renowned silversmiths Levi & Salaman and is of the highest quality. The symbols on the stem are executed very well and the enamelling is beautiful. The portrait of Lord Roberts in the bowl would have been instantly recognisable at the time.

Condition is very good indeed with no dings or dents, no damage to the enamel and just some thinning of the gilding on the underside of the stem. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The spoon is 12.9cm / 5.1ins long and weighs a very respectable 16.8g / 0.6oz.

The hallmarks on the underside of the stem are crisp and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham, the date letter Z for 1899 and the L & S makers' mark for Levi & Salaman.

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.