First Year of Exeter Assay Office Spoon, 1701

Bearing hallmarks for 1701, this dog nose spoon is struck with exemplary marks for the first year of the Exeter Assay Office. Along with other provincial centres, Exeter was granted the right by Act of Parliament in 1700 to re-establish an assay office within the city. The assay office opened in 1701 and the date lettering system began with the letter "A" as can clearly be seen on this spoon.

This silver dog nose spoon has a flat stem in the manner of earlier trefid spoons and also has a beaded rattail which appears to be a peculiarity of Exeter dog nose spoons. Overall the spoon is in fine condition with an unworn bowl, although there is some evidence of the original hammer work and the beaded rattail has a little wear from table contact. There are original scratch engraved betrothal initials to the reverse terminal with the bonus of a contemporary to manufacture date - “1702”, plus later script engraving to the front terminal.

This William III period spoon has documentary Britannia Standard hallmarks and further interest is provided by the "Wi" New Standard mark showing the spoon to have been made in Plymouth by Joseph Wilcockes.

A fabulous spoon!