Rare Pair of Silver Commonwealth Puritan Spoons, 1659

Puritan spoons are relatively scarce so finding a pair is extremely rare.

These superb Commonwealth period silver spoons have typical plank-like stems and fig-shaped bowls. This pair were likely made as marriage spoons – one for the bride, one for the groom - as both bear the same dot-pricked initials in a betrothal triangle to the reverse terminal – “I” over “IC” – where the upper “I” (N.B. old English style for a “J”) is the first letter of the surname.

These rare survivors are also in outstanding condition with unworn bowls and a lovely patina. The silver hallmarks are documentary with extremely clear “SV” maker’s marks for the specialist spoonmaker Steven Venable and date letters for 1659 - the final year of the Commonwealth period prior to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

In 1659, Richard Cromwell was in only his second year as Lord Protector, however as he resigned on May 25th and the date letter cycle commenced in May of each year, it is more likely that these spoons were made in the 12 month period (May 1659 - May 1660) with no official Head of State before Charles II was declared King of England in May 1660.