Charles II Silver Trefid Spoon, 1673 John King

Dating from the Charles II period, this is a good, early example of an antique silver trefid spoon.

The spoon takes the typical trefid form with a 3-lobed terminal and plain rattail to the reverse of the bowl. The spoon is in fine condition with the back of the terminal bearing original "MA" scratch engraved initials and a good set of London hallmarks that includes a clear date letter for 1673 that is located towards the end of the shank, as was the standard practice during this period.

The spoon was made by John King who having been apprenticed to William Cary in 1653, went on to become one of the foremost spoonmakers during the second half of the 17th century. In turn, his apprentices also became important makers in their own right - Lawrence Jones, Thomas Allen, John Clifton et al.