Acanthus Back Gilt Table Spoon, 1680

This is a beautiful late 17th century silver trefid spoon with all over light gilding. This fine table spoon has contemporary to manufacture engraved foliate scroll decoration over the front and reverse sides of the handle and the diagnostic "acanthus-back" to the reverse of the bowl. There is also a bold rattail to the back of the bowl and the trefid handle terminal has two ear-like projections. Both sides of the terminals have oval, engraving free escutcheons. This spoon is an excellent example of a highly sought after variant of the trefid pattern. It is in lovely condition with a nice solid feel and full bowl.

It is marked once to the reverse side with a clear "GT" maker's mark. The mark is shown as the 12th entry on page 132 of Jackson's (Pickford edition), where it is described as "GT over a mullet voided". A plausible theory for the lack of any other London marks would be that the spoon was sent for assay as a plain trefid, was engraved on return thus eliminating the other marks and was then struck with the makers mark. A fine late Charles II or James II period spoon.