Thomas Forbes of Banff ?

[carlislepaul]

This Hanovarian extended double drop teaspoon with slight rib to front of stem is four and half inches long and appears from its slender stem to be of Scottish origin. The makers mark is TF and it is inscribed MA.

Within the 1730/70 time scale only Thomas Forbes of Banff/Elgin has these initials. His recorded mark of 'conjoined TF, mother & child and TF' can be viewed on the Edinburgh Goldsmiths site. The TF of that mark and the TF on this spoon have a close similarity.

Can any of the knowledgeable members of this forum please give an opinion on this spoon and mark.

Thomas Furlong of Exeter is in the timescale but the mark in Jacksons page 292 has differences and there is no known London TF maker at this time.

Regards

Paul

[MCB]

Hello Paul

Thomas Furlong died in 1725 (Jackson's page 302) which puts him outside the time span you mention.

As you say no publication appears to identify another maker using TF in this period other than Thomas Forbes but equally Edinburgh AO and also Richard Turner's Scottish Provincial book point to that maker using the three combination mark you mention rather than just the punch shown on the spoon.

Members better able might comment on your view of the possible date of manufacture and potential Scottish origin or indeed someone may have seen a reliable attribution for this mark.

Sorry to say that as matters stand this jury member finds the case for Forbes "not proven".

Regards
Mike

[carlislepaul]

Mike

Thank you for the input.

Paul