Silver Laceback Trefid Spoon, c.1685 by IP

This is a beautiful late 17th century west country silver trefid spoon with laceback decoration to both the reverse of the bowl and front terminal.

The dot-prick engraved "R.W" initials to the reverse terminal are dated to 1685 and this would be spot-on for the period that laceback trefids were most fashionable. The reverse stem is stamped thrice with the makers mark IP and this is most likely to be for John Pike I of Plymouth, but John Peard II of Barnstaple is also a possibility. 

According to Tim Kent in "West Country Silver Spoons & Their Makers", John Pike I was working in Plymouth from 1679 and was a known spoonmaker. He even rose to the position of Mayor of Plymouth by 1714 and died in 1720.

John Peard II is though to have been born circa 1665, was active in Barnstaple by the middle 1680's and died in 1733. He is also a known maker of silver trefid spoons.

Dating from the reign of James II, this handsome silver laceback trefid spoon is in lovely condition with good, crisp raised decoration and an unworn bowl.