Charles I Slip Top Spoon, 1632

This Charles I period silver slip top spoon has a good, satisfying weight in the hand and is a great example of the type. It has a generous fig-shaped bowl and the hexagonal stem is cut-off as expected at the terminal.

Slip top spoons were hallmarked in a particular manner with the date letter stamped towards the stem end, (this was to prevent unscrupulous silversmiths adding cast finials following assay) and this spoon is hallmarked such with a clear date letter for 1632. The maker's mark, squeezed in to the space between the lion passant and the bowl, is not so clearly struck and is illegible and so makes the pricing of this top quality spoon very competitive.

This spoon has been made from a good gauge of silver and so in addition to the pleasing weight, it has an unworn bowl and remains in fine condition.