Elizabeth I Silver-gilt Seal Top Spoon, Exeter 1595

Dating from the Elizabethan era this is an impressive looking silver-gilt seal top spoon from Exeter.

The spoon has a superb baluster-shaped cast finial with the flat plate bearing original dot-pricked "AT" initials. The reverse of the bowl has further dot pricked initials with additional flourishes and an engraved crest showing how the spoon has been passed down and adorned by future generations.

The shank of the spoon is especially thick and sturdy and possesses the hexagonal profile that characterises early English spoons. With a weight of 2 troy ounces, the quality of this spoon is truly top drawer. The all-over gilding will likely date from the 18th century (probably at the same time the crest was added) and gives the spoon an overriding feeling of high quality.

This 16th century spoon remains in fabulous condition with a good, thick rim to the bowl and nice detailing to the finial.The bowl bears the Exeter town mark stamp whilst the back of the stem is helpfully stamped with the maker's name "C" "Eston" - for Christopher Easton of Exeter and a "T" mark.

A fabulous quality provincial spoon!