Aphrodite Spoon, Plymouth c.1630

A very rare example of an Aphrodite spoon. This form of finial is in the form of a female which has been described by Tim Kent as "Aphrodite" - Greek goddess of love. There are a number of differing figural finials on spoons from this period that are loosely termed under the "Buddha Knop" title. The finial on this particular spoon differs from the true Aphrodite spoons that were made in Barnstaple and is described by Kent (page 19 "West Country Spoons") as "a debased Aphrodite" and considered a transitional form to the Oriental figural figures that were later made in Plymouth. This accounts for the lack of definition on the finial of this spoon. A similar example is shown as figure 39 in "West Country Spoons".

This spoon is in good order with a standard fig-shaped bowl. The reverse side is dot-pricked engraved "1659 IS" which is slightly later in date to the manufacture of the spoon.

The spoon is marked with a part rubbed maker's mark (probably "IS") to the bowl. This mark probably belongs to John Shinner of Plymouth. This attribution ties in with Kent's notes of a similar debased Aphrodite spoon by Shinner (see page 131 "West Country Spoons").