Paul Crespin George I Silver Table Spoon, 1727

This is superb quality George I silver table spoon with an unusual flattened profile and made by the important silversmith, Paul Crespin.

With his Huguenot background, Paul Crespin was a contemporary of Paul de Lamerie and with the consistent high quality emanating from his workshop is often considered his equal. Royalty and aristocracy numbered among his well-heeled clientele.

With a weight of 77grams this is a good, hefty spoon and has a feeling of the very best quality. The narrow shank of the handle is unusually wide and flattened in profile and not a typical example that you would expect from the specialist spoonmakers of the period. Additionally, although the spoon is in the Hanoverian pattern, it lacks the rattail that one would expect at this time, but was to become the fashion in later years. Crespin's output was generally large, flamboyant pieces such as the 6060oz (188kg) bathing vessel made for the King of Portugal, so a humble spoon is a rare find!

This hefty spoon is in fine condition with a good patina. The leading edge of the bowl has a little wear from use (nothing too major). The reverse side of the handle terminal is engraved with the head of an antelope. The hallmarks are clearly legible with the PC maker's marks (Grimwade 2143a) struck close to the edge of the shank.