Elizabethan Lion Sejant Spoon, 1578 Patrick Brue

This is an excellent example of an Elizabeth I period silver lion sejant spoon made by Patrick Brue, the best spoonmaker of the period.

The casting of the lion sejant is stunning with good detail to the face, mane and body, even the tail can be seen curling up the back. The best lion sejants show a gap between the front and hind legs, as in this example. Reassuringly, the original step joint for the finial can just be discerned on both sides of the stem. The spoon has a lovely feel and balance in the hand and the fig-shaped bowl has a lovely deep form. The back of the bowl bears an old label that we have left for posterity but could easily be removed.

There is an excellent leopard's head crowned stamp to the bowl, whilst the hallmarks to the back of the hexagonal stem include a lion passant, date letter "A" for 1578 and the maker's mark featuring a mullet above a pellet – this has been firmly attributed by Piers Percival to the specialist spoonmaker Patrick Brue.

This mid-Elizabeth I period spoon is in fine condition with very good bowl (full shape but a touch sharp on the leading edge), superb finial and a lovely antique patina with some tarnish to the bowl.