Early Georgian Caddy Spoon, 1780

This is a fine quality Georgian silver caddy spoon with a good solid feel in the hand. It has a long Old English style handle with bright-cut engraved border. This is a particularly early caddy spoon with the two bottom struck hallmarks indicating a date prior to 1781 when date letters were first stamped on small spoons. Caddy Spoon production began in circa 1770 and so this example will date from the period 1770-81 - the design indicating the latter part of this decade.

The "GS" makers mark in script is very clear, the other mark less so and is likely to have been purposefully mis-stamped as it is probably a second stamping of the makers mark to simulate the lion passant that should be there - this was common practice by unscrupulous silversmiths wishing to avoid paying taxes and is classed as a duty dodger.

Excellent condition throughout.