Irish Serving Trowel, 1765

This is a very rare Irish silver trowel dating from the mid-18th century with the major bonus of being in excellent condition with neither damage nor repair. Used for either serving fish or as a pudding trowel, this large example has a turned wooden handle and a hefty silver blade. It is expertly pierced and has a sumptuous shell motif at the join between handle and blade. The reverse side of the blade is engraved with an original engraved betrothal triangle where the "D" is the initial letter of the couple's surname and "H" and "S" their first names. The hallmarks are located on the top and comprise crowned harp, Hibernia and maker's mark (partly mis-struck) - the date letter was rarely punched on Irish pieces from this period, but the form of the trowel and the working period of the maker can accurately date the piece.