James II Silver Trefid Spoon, 1685 by John Smith
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Spoon - Trefid - London 1685 by John Smith - 19.3cm long; 47g - BN/4397
This is a great late 17th century silver trefid spoon dating from the short reign of King James II.
The spoon was made by the important specialist spoonmaker John Smith who was the linchpin of a long and important dynasty of spoonmakers starting in the mid-16th century with Nicholas Bartholomew and progressing into the next century via Smith's many apprentices including Lawrence Coles and William Matthew.
This antique trefid spoon has a reeded rattail to the reverse of the bowl. For a 335+ year old spoon, the overall condition is very good, although there is some slight wear to the leading edge of the bowl and the dot-pricked initials to the reverse terminal are rubbed. The hallmarks are in good condition with all being legible - see photo.
