Early Hourglass Table Spoon, 1775 Duty Dodger

This is a very rare early example of a King's Hourglass silver table spoon. 

Dating from circa 1775 at a time when Thomas Chawner was the most important specialist spoonmaker, this table spoon is in a pattern that was not to become widely made in England until the 19th century. The pattern had already become popular in France and the most likely scenario for this early English example was to replace a missing piece from a wider service.

The engraving to the reverse terminal comprises a lion crest surmounted by the coronet of an earl. Further research and identification of the crest may find a connection to France to confirm the above.

The marks on this spoon comprise four "T.C" maker's marks which indicate that after manufacture, instead of sending the spoon for assay, the maker avoided paying fees and struck his own maker's mark multiple times in lieu  - known as a duty dodger. The four marks are meant to simulate those applied by the assay office and with a casual glance would pass muster. 

The spoon is in good condition although there is a little wear to the hourglass motif and a few small dings to the bowl. Overall however, this is a very interesting spoon in more ways than one!