Winchester Silver Dog Nose Spoon, c.1700 by William Webb

This is an excellent example of a Winchester silver dog nose spoon made by William Webb.

Unlike the majority of late 17th/early 18th century provincial spoons, this example has made fashioned from a good gauge of silver and has a nice solid feel in the hand. It is engraved with a dated betrothal triangle to the reverse terminal where "R" is the surname of the happy couple with first names beginning with "R" and "S" . The engraved date 1690 may relate to their wedding but given this is a dog nose spoon (the majority date between 1700 and 1710), it is probably a little earlier than the date of the spoon itself.

The spoon is stamped with a pleasing set of four marks that includes three examples of the WW mark with mullets within a shield (see M.164/5 page 142 "West Country Silver Spoons & their Makers" by Tim Kent attributed to William Webb) and a fourth unidentified mark.

The condition is excellent with an unworn bowl, good antique patina and a crisp ribbed rattail to the back of the bowl.