West Country Trefid Spoon, 1694

A great example of a west country silver trefid spoon, made in the north Devon town of Barnstaple by John Peard. The spoon has a large rounded bowl and bulbous trefid terminal in typical provincial style. It is a well made spoon with a reeded rattail to the reverse of the bowl. John Peard worked in Barnstaple at the latter end of the 17th century and his "IP" maker's mark is struck clearly three times. A major bonus is the contemporary dated betrothal engraving to the reverse terminal with dot pricked initials and "1694".