Henry VIII Silver Seal Top Spoon, London 1529

Made during the reign of King Henry VIII, this silver spoon is approaching its 500th birthday!

For its great age, this seal top spoon is in superb condition with an excellent unworn bowl and a lovely, antique patina. The hexagonal finial is diagnostic of early 16th century seal top spoons and is decorated to the underside with a star-cut feature, plus the original v-notch joint to the stem is clearly visible. The hexagonal stem tapers from bowl to finial and the bowl has a sharp drop from the stem and has an elongated shape - all features of very early spoons. 

The bowl mark is rubbed but visible, whilst the two stem marks include a very clear date letter "M" for 1529 and the fringed "S" mark of the important spoonmaker William Simpson. This maker was apprenticed to Robert Preston in 1499 and was the major spoonmaker of the first half of the 16th century.

In 1529, Henry VIII continued in his desire to have his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled. The pope's cardinal was in England holding discussions with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey to decide on the legitimacy of an annullment. Later in 1529, there are signs of Henry's waning patience  as he removes Wolsey from office as Lord High Chancellor and replaces him with Thomas More  and ultimately a break with Rome results.