Early Colonial/Provincial Spoon

[dognose]

Hi,

I would appreciate member's thoughts on the possible origin of this tablespoon.









The spoon is 8 1/4" (21cm) in length, and made in the Old English pattern.

As can be seen, it's bottom marked, with just the Crowned Leopard's Head and Lion Passant marks. My thoughts are that it may perhaps be an early Chinese piece, maybe around the 1780-1790 period. The Lion Passant mark is of a better quality than usually found on colonial pieces, the Leopard's Head, a little less so, and likely struck with a chipped punch. Or am I missing a possible provincial angle?

Any thoughts or alternative opinions gratefully received.

Trev.

[JBA]

Very strange- particularly the trefoil base of the lion punch, which is most like the 1916-35 London sequence. Are they simply spurious marks tested out on an unmarked spoon? Very odd indeed.