Transitional Silver Seal Top Spoon, 1665 by J Johnson

This is a rare example of a Charles II period silver seal top spoon made during the period of transition between early forms of finial spoon with hexagonal stems and the newly introduced puritan and trefid spoons with flatter stems and no cast terminal.

Made during the year of the Great Plague of London (the last major epidemic of the bubonic plague to hit England) by the specialist spoonmaker Jeremy Johnson (makers mark "II"), this seal top spoon has a flattened, tapering stem whilst still maintaining a hexagonal profile. In-line with the new fashion, the bowl-shape is slightly more elongated than the earlier fig-shaped bowls, but the traditional of punching the inside the bowl with the crowned leopard's head is maintained. The reverse of the stem bears clear examples of the remaining three stamps.

The cast seal terminal is rather lacking in detailing suggesting a worn mould and perhaps a reluctance to renew it given the craze for the newly introduced trefid spoon. Furthermore, the finial is rather crudely attached with a v-notch and this appears to have been typical of late seal tops made by Johnson and his peers (e.g. similar examples by Steven Venables have been noted).

In addition to the rarity of this transitional form and the clarity of the hallmarks, the bowl of this spoon is in fine unworn condition and the spoon has a lovely antique patina. A good example of an interesting spoon.