Transitional Dog Nose Silver Table Spoon, 1706

This is an excellent example of the old form of silver spoon with a flat stem just at the point where spoons were evolving in to a new form. Dog nose spoons issued in a new era of spoonmaking with the stems tending to be more rounded and bowls more elongated, however a few examples were made that followed earlier principles and are more akin to the trefid spoon - they are generally termed as "transitional".

Dating from the Queen Anne period, this dog nose table spoon has a striking rattail to the reverse of the bowl and the reverse terminal bears original "EB" engraved ownership initials. It was made by the specialist spoonmaker Lawrence Coles and bears a fine set of Britannia Standard hallmarks. The spoon is in excellent condition with a lovely antique patina. 

Lawrence Coles was one of the most important specialist spoonmakers from the last few decades of the 17th century and into the early 18th century. He was integral to a long line of spoonmakers that included his master John Smith and his apprentices which included Thomas Sadler, Thomas Issod and William Swadling.