Hanoverian teaspoon with a scroll back

[Granmaa]

Here is yet another Hanoverian teaspoon, this one has a shell/scroll back. I imagine it was made in the 1750s. As the maker's mark has been squeezed into the narrowest part of the stem, the bottom is hard to make out, so it could be I.I, I.T or I.L.
I'm tempted to say John Lambe, but the letters of his mark are usually closer together; plus I don't know his exact dates, other pieces of his that I've seen have been in the 1780s.

Can anyone help?

Miles




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[Waylander]

Hmm, Lambe's mark appears to have a "cross" not a pellet seperating the letters. Jacksons shows his mark being entered in 1783. The list of goldsmiths shows a John Lamb (sic) mark entered 1783 lastest mention 1791. Jacksons shows the mark of John Lautier on page 218 - dated 1776, earliest mention 1773. Mark is a close match, but he might be a bit late.

Regards

Waylander
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[Granmaa]

I think you may be right Waylander; "English Silver Spoons" by Michael Snodin says that the Rococo shell and scroll design was prominent c.1770, and also the ridge at the end of the stem signifies this date as well.
I've included a picture of the reduction in prominence in this end of stem ridge from a c. 1740 spoon to a c.1750 and then to this spoon.

Thankyou for bringing me to my senses.

Miles


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[georgiansilver]

Hi Miles. I have a couple of spoons with this makers mark and have attributed them to John Lias... No longer have my reference books so can't re-check. Best wishes, Mike.
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[Granmaa]

Thanks for your help Mike; did John Lias work this early? The only mark of his in my picture database is 1814 and doesn't have a pellet between the letters.

Miles
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[nigel le sueur]

John Lias first mark was entered in 1799 and did not have a pellet, for these spoons to be John Lambe then that would date them for 1785 as that is when his mark had a pellet in a square,his previous mark with a pellet was entered in 1782 but that was in an oval punch,however it is a small area to punch !!! another maker who it might be is Joseph Lewis a small worker who had a very similar mark entred in 1767
Nigel
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[Granmaa]

Thankyou for your informative help Nigel.
I'm now torn between John Lautier and Joseph Lewis, and as I've never seen a piece (let alone a spoon) by either of them, any decision would really be a guess.

Miles
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[georgiansilver]

In actual fact there is no mileage in naming the maker unless it was someone famous and whose work is sought after, as the value of the spoons will be about the same anyway. It is always nice to know who made them but not wholly important. Best wishes, Mike.
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