Mary I Seal-top Spoon, 1553

This a very rare example of a silver spoon made during the first year of the reign of Queen Mary I. This is a good quality spoon with a nice feel in the hand and it has a fluted, baluster-shaped finial and fig-shaped bowl. The seal is engraved to the flat plate with pin prick "BL" initials with a looped motif above a faint date - possibly 1554.

This spoon was made by one of the most important spoon makers of the period - Nicholas Bartholomew - who is identified by the "crescent enclosing a mullet" maker's mark. This particular mark was used as a workshop mark for a lengthy period during the 16th and early 17th centuries and passed from master to apprentice. The date letter has a distinctive shape that is also illustrated on page 49 of Jackson's and the lion passant is within a rectangular punch. The leopards head crowned mark to the bowl is recognisable, but part worn to the left hand side.

At 450 years old, this spoon is in excellent condition. The seat terminal remains crisp and the bowl has retained its full-shape. It has a thick rim around most of the bowl, with some thinning at the leading edge.

To place this spoon in a historical context, the reign of Queen Mary I lasted just five tumultuous years during which time she was known for her brutal persecution of Protestants and gave rise to her sobriquet – Bloody Mary. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragorn. She came to throne in 1553 following the death of her half-brother Edward VI and the nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey. Indeed if this spoon was made early in the "Q" date letter cycle, then it could place the spoon in the reign of Edward VI or Lady Jane Grey. Mary was succeeded in 1558 by her half-sister Elizabeth I.

Finding pre-Elizabethan spoons is extremely difficult and as can be seen from the results of the recent Benson sale and the Queen Mary apostle spoon that made over £13,000 at auction in September 2014, a hefty premium is attached to any spoon from this period. This spoon has the added bonus of good overall condition and clear hallmarks.