Duty Dodger Silver Table Fork, 1775 Chawner

This is a rare example of a Georgian silver dinner fork with duty dodger hallmarks. 

This handsome table fork was made by the premier specialist spoon and fork maker Thomas Chawner. The elegant bead design around the handle edge was popular during the 1770's; this in combination with the maker's working period and the prevalence among silversmiths to avoid sending their silver to Goldsmith's Hall accurately date this fork to a few years either side of 1775. The reverse terminal is engraved with an original script monogram and the fork is in excellent condition with full/even length tines, well-defined beading and a good antique patina.

The reverse side of this table fork is stamped four times with Thomas Chawner's "TC" maker's marks indicating that after manufacture, instead of sending the spoon for assay, the maker avoided paying these fees and struck his own mark multiple times - this is known as a duty dodger. The four marks are meant to simulate those applied by the assay office and with a casual glance would pass muster - although on this fork all four marks are very clearly legible!

Thoma Chawner was apprenticed to Ebenezer Coker between 1747 and 1754 and went on to become one of the most important spoonmakers of the 18th century. He in turn was master to some of the later 18th and early 19th century spoonmakers: William Fearn, William Sumner, George Smith III, Thomas Northcote etc...