Mystery Mote Spoon 1720's London?

[Aguest]

Hello to all the Mote Spoon Experts.

The Hallmarks are barely legible, but I believe the Hallmark Experts are up to the task!

[Aguest]

[Aguest]

I am just assuming the city is London because the vast majority of mote spoons were manufactured in London, but I am not absolutely certain.

[Aguest]

I just wanted to add-- the spoon is a mere 4.5 inches in length -- usually these spoons are much longer for easier skimming?

[Aguest]

Apparently David McKinley is an expert on Mote Skimmer Spoons and his research suggests that Mote Spoons made after 1755 display assay marks with an "Ogee Base," a sort of curve that was invented in 1755. I believe the assay mark on this mote spoon does have an "Ogee Base" and therefore should date to 1755 through 1780. I thought the piercing pattern would date the spoon earlier, but now I am not sure anymore.

Also I learned that this type of smaller mote spoon is more rare than the standard size mote spoon.

Where is David McKinley?

[agphile]

I can't claim to be David McKinley and I can't recognise the remnants of your maker's mark. It looks to me as if it may have contained two sets of initials, one above the other, for a partnership, but it not one that immediately springs to my mind.

With regard to dating, the lack of a rattail suggests the mote spoon is later than the 1720s mentioned in your title to this thread. The shape of the lion passant punch does indeed vary between different periods - on all items, not just mote spoons. The straight, unbroken sides to the punch in this case indicate pre-1739 or post-1755. As you say, the ogee base would be post-1755. This is not incompatible with the piercing.

The smaller size is less usual. It might raise worries as to whether this is an altered teaspoon, but genuine smaller mote spoons do indeed exist.

[Aguest]

Indeed I made an error in attribution to 1720s. I think we should say circa 1750s just to be on the safe side; also, I have seen another spoon with a similar pointed end and a similar piercing pattern that was 4.61 inches in length for sale at a reputable antiques house. I am still researching this spoon so any information at this point would be helpful. I believe the answer is in the missing smallworker's register because at least the first half of the maker's mark is in good condition.

Thanks to all the mote spoon enthusiasts from around the world---

[dognose]

It appears to me that the maker's mark image is posted upside down. The remaining letters on the right-hand side of the mark perhaps being 'B' above 'C'.

I find no match in Grimwade's.

Trev.