Laceback Trefid Spoon by Edward Sweet of Dunster

This is an excellent example of the highly sought after silver laceback trefid spoon.

The laceback refers to the die-struck decoration on the reverse of the bowl, plus most examples have a similar style of decoration to the front terminals too - as with this table spoon. The spoon was made by Edward Sweet of Dunster who is well known for his fine laceback spoons and has three clear "ES" over a mullet marks to the reverse stem. The dot-pricked betrothal initials are also dated for 1706 and so provide a good indication of manufacture and is within the known working period of Edward Sweet. The spoon is in excellent condition with good, crisp decoration. A fine spoon!

Edward Sweet II was born in 1673 and moved to Dunster in Somerset in the late 1690's where he produced a good number of high quality trefid and dog nose spoons. He was a member of the Sweet family of silversmiths that lived and worked throughout Somerset during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. See "West Country Silver Spoons & their Makers 1550-1750" by Timothy Kent for more information.