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Hi - Can anyone help with the marks on this presumably Dutch spoon. It is 18cm long and has a ridged rat tail to the bowl. The back of the bowl has an assay scrape ? It has 4 marks: Amsterdam town mark, top bit of rampant lion, date letter c or e and makers mark. There is also an engraved device with initials I and O. What makes me a little suspicious is that the engraving is quite clear whereas the assay scrape and stamped marks show some wear. The spoon appears to be quite old with a few cracks and repairs, but I know these are quite often faked. Would be grateful for any views. Many thanks John

Hi Joho,

The location of the marks left of the rat-tail and the location of the proof-strike at the right of the rat-tail, made by the assayer, are all correct and indicate 17th century and the mal-formed date letter C (or writing letter small e) could be for 1665 or 1667 and perhaps we are looking at a mal-formed lion rampant crowned shield for; 1st standard of silver or’grote keur’ (for minimum .934 fineness). The maker’s mark, I have to check my reference books & files, before making any comments. Next week, when I have access to my files and library, I will try to let you know more.
In short the remembrance spoon does not strike me as an obvious fake and could be genuine and needs further investigation.


Oel

Hi Oel. Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge. I shall remain hopeful that it is genuine, but am aware of the pitfalls. Would be great if the maker could be identified. As always, much appreciated. John

Hi Joho,


Dutch apostle spoon and with original marks; the Amsterdam city mark, on your spoon; for the 9th alphabet used as of 1663, exactly like it should be. The province standard mark(mal-formed); the left over of the crowned shield is exactly as it should be for this particular time period. Your date letter mal-formed; C, e or perhaps G for 1665, 1667 or 1669
To top it all off, I believe we found the maker’s name being; Cornelis Meyer, a small worker specialized in cast spoons and also jeweler, registered in Amsterdam from 1645 till his dead in 1708. Cornelis Meyer’s mark being a stylistic lion.
Your mark mal-formed:


Cornelis Meyer’s mark:


In short, I believe we are looking at a Dutch Apostle Spoon St. Phillip; a staff.
Engraving; The Chi-Rho emblem can be viewed as the first Christian Cross. As a pre-Christian symbol, the Chi-ro signified good fortune.


Congratulations very nice find,



Oel.

Many thanks Oel - great to get some good news!! John