Canadian Salt Spoon

SilverSurfer · Post by **SilverSurfer** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:06 pm

Here is a what I believe is a New Brunswick salt spoon, fiddle pattern c.1825, marked with pseudo-hallmarks of lion passant and King George, maker's mark of "WV" and province mark "NB". Though the pseudo-hallmarks are quite good replicas of the Brit marks, the consideration of a colonial origin is further supported by the fact that the spoon is fairly thin, and is marked by several jagged lengthwise fold cracks, indicating the blank from which it was made was hand hammered and not properly formed or finished to the highest standards. Pics:

Might someone be able to identify this maker and working period? Thanks!

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wev · Post by **wev** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:59 pm

William Norris Venning (1795-1877) of Saint John, New Brunswick. He is first noted as working 4 July 1815 as a merchant and watchmaker, entered as a freeman the following year. By 1821, he is advertising as a silversmith, continuing until his retirement in 1871,
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SilverSurfer · Post by **SilverSurfer** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:39 pm

Thank you, wev, for your identification of maker and period.

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