Apostle Spoon with curious markings and adornment

[SwissSilverBuff]

This apostle spoon of St. James the Greater has standard marks, London 1867, yet some others of unclear meaning.

QUESTIONS:

1. To the left of the H H mark (presumably for Henry Holland) on the back of the bowl is a small cross. Does this cross have any significance? See 3rd photo for best angle.

2. There is a bizarre angle-esque creature adorning the spoon at the botton of the shaft before the bowl. Any ideas as to its significance?

3. In addition to the standard duty mark, date mark and the London lion, there is a fourth mark which I can't find on any list and I can't attribute to any significance. It looks like a crest with lances peaking out at the corners. Any ideas?

Thanks,

S

Click links to see a larger photos.










.

[georgiansilver]

The lion is the standard silver mark for 925/1000 silver in the UK... the mark you refer to as the crest with lances coming out is actually the London mark... a leopards head... Best wishes, Mike.
.

[admin]

Hi SSB,

#1 - the little X would be a tally mark, see ->
http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary5.html
#2 - could be a seraph, type of angel without a body.
#3 - only mark you didn't mention would be the duty mark, in this case the head of Queen Victoria in profile, agree with georgiansilver, think you've switched it with the London leopard head. See section 3 at
http://www.925-1000.com/british_marks.html

Regards, Tom
.