Elizabeth I Silver Hexagonal Seal Top Spoon, 1600

Dating from the reign of Elizabeth I, this lovely silver seal top spoon bears all the typical traits of the period and a rare form of seal terminal.

The cast cushion-shaped finial with hexagonal top plate is a scarce feature and was an alternative to the more common baluster and rounded cushion-shaped seal terminals. Almost all examples of this type date from the late 16th century when it was briefly fashionable. The finial retains its original gilding and the flat plate to the terminal bears the "P.H" dot-pricked initials that likely belonged to the first owner. In addition, the stem is hegaxonal in profile and the fig-shaped bowl remains in fine condition with no wear.

This is an excellent Elizabethan spoon in fine condition with a great patina (noting some pitting and scratches from its great age, in particular just above the leopard's head bowl mark). The hallmarks to the reverse stem remain clear and include a rare occurence of the crescent enclosing a "T" mark for Thomas Lawrence. Lawrence was a specialist spoonmaker who had been apprenticed to Robert Rase in 1578.