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Quality Silver - Sensible Prices
We are offering for sale an extremely rare Tudor period silver lion sejant spoon dating from the short reign of King Edward VI.
Edward VI spoons very infrequently appear on the market and a lion sejant affronteé from this period is a particular rarity! This attractive spoon has a good cast model of a sitting lion to the terminal with its tail protruding from under its body and curling up the back. The lion remains in fine condition with plenty of detail still visible including the mane and textured fur, plus the gaps between stomach and legs are indicators of a well-made piece. Overall the appearance of this example is far superior than most other 16th century big cat survivors. After 475 years of use, the condition of this spoon is remarkable. Not only is the detail still visible to the cast lion finial, but the bowl retains it's full shape too with no sharpness to the leading edge. The hexagonal stem tapers towards the terminal where the original v-joint is visible, plus the antique patina is well-preserved. The hallmarks to the reverse of the stem remain legible although the leopard's head bowl mark is rather more worn. The stem marks include the date letter "L" for 1548 and an obvious, albeit partially rubbed, "NB" monogram maker's mark for the maker of this spoon, Nicholas Bartholomew. There is an old collectors label to the reverse of the bowl - we have left it in place but dipped for five minutes in cold water will be enough to soften it for removal if preferred. Nicholas Bartholomew had formerly been apprenticed to Thomas Trappes and was working in London between 1545 and 1588. This spoon was an early product from his workshop and the "NB" maker's mark was used for a few short years before being replaced by his "crescent enclosing a mullet" mark that continued to be used after Bartholomew's retirement by his apprentice Patrick Brue. To place this spoon in a historical context, the reign of the boy King Edward VI lasted just six years. He was crowned in 1547 at the age of nine, was the only son of Henry VIII (with Jane Seymour) and became the third Tudor King. He was the first monarch raised as a protestant, but he died aged 15 in 1553 and after the thirteen day reign of Lady Jane Grey, England returned to catholicism for a brief period during the turbulent reign of Queen Mary. Finding pre-Elizabethan spoons is extremely difficult and a hefty premium should be attached to any spoon from this period.
Please view our specialist site for a
further large selection of fine early silver spoons.
MEASUREMENTS: 17cm
(6.7") long; 51grams weight.
MARKS: Full set of English hallmarks (guaranteeing
Sterling 925 standard silver) for London 1548 by Nicholas Bartholomew.
CONDITION: Excellent.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any
further questions. Best wishes, Gary.
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SHIPPING: Free express UK shipping by DPD or Royal Mail. International shipping by Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed or DHL Express.
PAYMENTS: We accept payment via bank transfer,
cheque, PayPal or card payments via email/phone.
ABOUT US: We have been dealing in antique
silver for 30+ years and supply some of the UK's leading retail outlets with
top quality stock. We enjoy a strong reputation for honesty and integrity
and never sell second rate items.
As leading
specialists in the field of fine antique silver, we have
two sites:
Our first site at
antiquesilverspoons.co.uk offers a wealth of information and advice about buying silver - in
particular canteens of cutlery & early/collectable silver.
Our second site
at uksilverexchange.co.uk explains the impact of the recent high metal prices on antique
sterling silver and explains how to best take advantage of the
situation.
You
can be assured of a professional and friendly service and will never be
disappointed with purchases. We offer a full money back
guarantee, if you are not happy with the item, within fourteen days of
receipt.
Quality Silver - Sensible Prices
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