Commonwealth Slip Top Spoon, 1655

This is a top quality Commonwealth period silver slip top spoon made by the specialist spoonmaker Jeremy Johnson. It is a good large size with a generous bowl and a nice solid feel in the hand. The condition is excellent too with an unworn fig-shaped bowl and hexagonal stem with some minor pitting along its length.

Hallmarked in the correct manner for this form of spoon with the date letter towards the terminal (to prevent the fraudulent addition of finials by unscrupulous silversmiths), this spoon has a good clear set of hallmarks including a crisp leopard's head crowned to the bowl. There is a discreet "MD" initial towards the reverse terminal.

Silver production during the years of the Civil War was significantly reduced, both as a result of the limited demand, but also because many silversmiths either became soldiers or were seconded to armament production. Spoons from the 1650's are scarce and this is a fine example.