Britannia Standard Silver Rattail Table Spoon, 1718

This is a top drawer example of a George I period silver rattail table spoon, complete with the higher purity Britannia Standard hallmarks.

The spoon was made by the premier spoonmaker William Matthew and bears a great set of hallmarks. The reverse terminal is engraved with an original betrothal triangle - "G" over "W.A" - with "G" being the initial letter of the happy couple's surname. The condition is fabulous with the thick bowl rim all the way around being an especially fine feature and a lovely antique patina.

William Matthew was an important cog in a long line of specialist silver spoonmakers beginning with Nicholas Bartholomew in the first half of the 16th century, via John Smith who was Matthew's master and on to his apprentices including Stephen Coleman, William Petley and William Penstone.