Elizabethan Silver Seal Top Spoon, Taunton c.1566

This is a splendid Elizabethan period silver seal top spoon made by Osmond Garret of Taunton.

The spoon has an unusual cast baluster finial with fluting and original gilt finish. The flat top bears original dot-pricked betrothal initials “GC” over “66” over “IS” – providing a likely date of manufacture circa 1566.

The spoon has a lovely feeling in the hand with a tapering, hexagonal stem and fig-shaped bowl. The condition is excellent with a superb antique patina, crisp finial and unworn bowl.

Osmond Garrett was a Taunton-based silversmith who was certainly active in the trade when London wardens visited Taunton in 1571 and he took his oath to observe “true workmanship”. Osmond was the son of Richard Garrett who died in 1534, so it is likely that he was working for some years prior to 1571 and no later than 1596 when he died.

The marks on this spoon include “GARET” to the reverse side of the stem and a bowl mark that looks superficially similar to London’s leopard head and would no doubt have caused consternation from the wardens had they seen it.

A fabulous west country seal top spoon.