Marrow Spoon & Hallmark...

[Aspasa]

Someone told me this marrow spoon might be 18th Century silver. I doubt it! Looks/feels like 20th Century silverplate to me?



That said, the Hallmark is a bit elusive as also the shape of the spoon - specifically the almost rectangular center. I don't understand either the capital Y or the 1st symbol on the Hallmark pic. below.



If anyone can discern the first mark [city?] then maybe the Y would make more sense for the year? Also, if anyone has seen a marrow spoon with a rectangular center like this then I'd love for a pointer in the right direction please. Oh, and who would the maker be? Thanks!



Thanks for the help.

[silvermakersmarks]

You were right to suspect that this is plated. The letters of the manufacturer's mark are actually ID&S which, with the interchangeability of I and J, leads us to the Sheffield company James Dixon & Sons. It is possible that the Y is some sort of private date coding but, if so, I am not aware that we have any further information about the system. The rectangular shape of the centrre section may be to match a set of flatware or perhaps simply a way of making the item more cheaply.

Phil