M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS

 

 

SET of 11 QUEEN ANNE BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

#5421

 

 SOLD

 

 

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 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)

 


 

 

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.

 

 

 


 

Also see :

 

 

SET OF 6 QUEEN ANNE/ GEORGE I BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS

Thomas Allen (4), London, 1710; John Millington (2), London, 1721, , crested for Mainwaring

 

 

SET OF 6 GEORGE I BRITANNIA SILVER DOGNOSE (WAVY-END) TABLESPOONS

Andrew Archer, London, 1718

 

 

Rare Set of 4 Queen Anne Britannia Silver Dognose 3-Tine Forks

Benjamin Watts (3), 1703; Thomas Sadler (1), 1703

SOLD

 

 


 

 

Early British Table Silver Catalog

please click here

 

 

 


 

 

We welcome and encourage all inquiries regarding our stock.  We will make every attempt to answer any questions you might have.

 

For information, call (901) 761-1163 or (901) 827-4668, or

Email : mfcreech@bellsouth.net  or  mfordcreech@gmail.com
 

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M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Arts / 581 South Perkins Road /  Memphis, TN 38117 / USA /  Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment

 


 

 

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Rare Set 11 Queen Anne Britannia Silver Dognose (Wavy-End) Tablespoons, crested en suite with a crowned demi-lion rampant