Barnstaple Silver Lion Sejant Spoon, c.1570

This is a terrific Elizabeth I period silver lion sejant spoon made by Thomas Mathew of Barnstaple in north Devon.

This rare spoon has the typical fig-shaped bowl and hexagonal stem that one would expect from an Elizabethan spoon, plus the scarce cast terminal in the form of a sitting lion. The spoon can be identifed as being made by Thomas Mathew from the two clear conjoined "TM" monogram marks that can be found within the bowl and to the reverse of the stem.

The general condition of the spoon is very good with the expected wear giving a genuine antique feel to it. The bowl retains its original shape (leading edge is a touch sharp) and there is an overall mottled pitting effect as though the spoon has been buried for some time. There are original, block-engraved ownership initials "IF" to the reverse of the stem.

Thomas Mathew is described by Tim Kent as being "one of the most accomplished and prolific of provincial goldsmiths" and "the reputation of Thomas Mathew rests upon his spoons" and he descibes Mathew's lion sejant spoons as "charmingly vigorous creatures, benign rather than menacing". Kent records that post 1575, Mathew used a stamp with his name in full and prior to this a monogram mark - as seen on this spoon and illustrated as figure 20 in "Barnstaple Silver & Its Makers".