Bath Silver Puritan Spoon, c.1660 by George Reeve

This is an excellent example of a rare English provincial silver puritan spoon made in Bath by George Reeve.

The puritan form of the spoon and the working career of the maker suggests a date of manufacture from either the end of the Commonwealth period (1650's) or in the few years following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. The spoon has an excellent patina with original "E.P" dot-prick engraved initials to the front terminal. The bowl is unworn and retains its original full-shape with a naively engraved armorial shield to the reverse side, plus there is a "SC" on the reverse stem adjacent to the maker's marks.

The marks are struck five times - one in the bowl, three times to the base of the stem and once towards the stem end. The mark is a distinctive conjoined GR in heart-shaped punch for George Reeves who was working in Bath during the middle decades of the 17th century - see West Country Silver Spoons & their Makers by Tim Kent (pages 126/7) for a full biography of the important Reeve family of silversmiths.

Overall a very interesting spoon in fine condition! Please note that this is one of two identical spoons that we have in stock; the other being available to the buyer if wanted.