Laceback Trefid Silver Dessert Spoon, London 1683

This is an extremely rare dessert spoon-sized silver lace back trefid spoon that is full of character!

Measuring 5.7" long, this dessert spoon is fully hallmarked for London 1683 and made by the specialist spoonmaker Lawrence Coles - all component stamps of the hallmark are legible. The reverse terminal is engraved with original betrothal initials "S+T" over "A+T".

The spoon appears to have been buried at some point as it quite badly pitted all over the back, despite this, the features such as hallmarks, engraving and laceback design to the reverse of the bowl are still visible. The front is not so badly pitted - the laceback design to the front terminal is quite crisp and the spoon bowl remains unworn and in very good condition. One further point to mention is a flaw/crack on the reverse side at the base of the handle, however this does not penetrate through the spoon and so cannot be seen on the top.

Despite the condition issues, overall this is a rare and charming piece of late Charles II period silver.