Old English style on 1711 Queen Anne Table spoon -

[TheShadowSpoon]

Hello - I have just acquired a very interesting Silver Table Spoon which is very clearly marked with the year letter for 1711 - There is also some of the Britannia Standard Hallmark still in evidence, just to help confirm that it is from the 1697 to 1719 period ! - The makers mark, though worn, has been worked out to be that of Thomas Spackman, which also fits in with 1711 - However, the point of interest for me is that the spoon is in the Old English style, which I normally associate with around 1750 and onwards ! - Is this as unusual as I think it is ? - Thank-you very much for your assistance !

[dognose]

Please post images of the spoon and the marks.

How to Add Images

www.tinypic.com is recommended.

Trev.

[agphile]

In the 1760s/early 1770s it was not unusual to get a silversmith to "turn" your flatware, i.e. reshape the ends of old Hanoverian spoons to the newly fashionable Old English shape. I think it probable that this is what happened to your spoon.

[TheShadowSpoon]

Thank-you for that very interesting point - It is possible that this spoon has been subjected to being transformed into an Old English style from the earlier Hanoverian style, but if so then it has been done very skillfully as there is little evidence of such - That said, I do note that the bowl is in the narrower style of the Hanoverian type so it could be as you suggest - but still an expertly carried out transformation !!...Thank-you...Stephen...

[TheShadowSpoon]

Hello again Trev.....Thank-you for your request for images of this interesting Table Spoon of 1711 - I am sorry, but I am not really that good on all this sending images etc...I will try and ask a young friend when he arrives to give me a lesson or two ! I do fancy that the other gent who replied has raised an interesting possibility as to how this Old English style may have occurred on a 1711 item - ie.A skillful silversmith has reshaped the Hanoverian style into the more fashionable Old English style so as to keep up with the modern fashion of the time !!?...Thank-you...Stephen...TheShadowSpoon...

[dognose]

Hi Stephen,

Persist with learning how to post the images. When you do crack it, and have posted a few times, you will be amazed at how simple it really is and you will wonder why you had a problem in the first place. I know it looks daunting initially, but it will all fall into place eventually. You can practice by using the 'preview' button, do this until you are finally happy with the result, as what you see, is what we will see, and when happy, press the 'submit' button.

Regarding the turning of spoons from the Hanoverian pattern into the Old English, I think this work was big business for the silversmiths in the 1760/70/80's, I also have a personal opinion that many of the so called 'Duty Dodger' spoons are nothing more than the result of this work, merely replacing marks that the owner would expect, and want, to see on his flatware, after the loss of the original hallmarks during the reworking process. Have a read of this old post:

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=14863&p=33260

Trev.