Charles I Silver Seal Top Spoon, 1640 by Wm Cary

This is a fine quality Charles I period silver seal top spoon with a great set of hallmarks and made by one of the best spoonmakers of the period.

This handsome spoon has a large, fig-shaped bowl with crisply struck leopard's head. The hexagonal stem also has a clear set of hallmarks including Cary's distinctive "WC" mark with pellets and mullet in a shield and the date letter for 1640. The cast finial is the standard seal form for the period and has original "IW" initials to the flat plate. 

The spoon is in excellent condition with an unworn bowl (no wear nor sharpness) and a good antique patina. A fine example of the type.

William Cary had been apprenticed in 1630 to John Terry before being turned over to his uncle Daniel Cary and became free in 1638. He was part of a long line of spoonmakers that began with Nicholas Bartholomew in the early 16th century and went on to include the major spoonmakers of the 18th century through his apprentice John King.