Possible Provincial mark

[Argentum]

Would anyone have any ideas as to the identity of this maker?

[dognose]

Hi Argentum,

I have seen the mark attributed to Patrick Ryan of Cork.

Trev.

[Argentum]

Thanks Trev.

A good point of departure. What of the fleur-de-lys above the sterling mark?

[dognose]

I think it is supposed to be a crown rather than a fleur-de-lys. The position of it above the sterling mark also appears on some of the work of James Heyland. William Teulon is another that included a crown mark on occasion, although stylistically his was different .

Trev.

[Argentum]

Does it have a significance?

[dognose]

Presumably indicating that he was a royalist, as against Timothy Conway for instance, a known anti-royalist, who used a harp without the crown as his device.

Trev.

[Argentum]

Looking at them again, I wonder could they be feathers, Prince of Wales Fathers?

[dognose]

Indeed the Prince of Wales, later to become George IV, was a very popular figure in Ireland, far more popular than his father, and there are some that have the opinion the engraved feathers that are often found on Limerick made spoons represent a show of loyalty to to the Prince of Wales as many wished the Prince of Wales to take over the throne during this troubled period in Irish history.

His popularity was further improved with the raising of his own regiment, the Prince of Wale's Own Irish Fusiliers (later to become the Royal Irish Fusiliers following his being crowned George IV).

A very loose link perhaps, but this topic may be of interest: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=17851&p=40139

Trev.