Queen Anne Rattail Table Spoon, 1712

This is a good, early example of a silver Hanoverian rattail table spoon with Britannia Standard hallmarks. The dog nose pattern was the dominant style during the early years of the 18th century and spoons with a more rounded stem and a central ridge to the front became the predominant style of the George I reign from 1714 onward, however the earliest examples of the latter began to appear in the final years of Queen Anne's reign. 

This is a great example with a good unworn bowl and part-rubbed, but legible set of hallmarks for the premier silversmith William Matthew - includes his unusual "W" over "MA" with pellets mark (Grimwade reference 3233). There is a clever mirror image engraved  "HC" cipher to the reverse terminal. The spoon has a lovely antique patina and is in fine condition.