Fancy Front & Shell-back Silver Mote Spoon, c.1770

This is a very rare silver mote spoon dating from the end of the fashionable period of the mote spoon and just prior to the introduction of caddy spoons.

This George III mote spoon takes a teaspoon appearance with a more solid form of handle than earlier types. The handle is decorated with a fancy front design with raised rococo scrolls and shells that was popular during the 1760's, In addition, the reverse of the bowl is decorated with a shell motif to the heel. The reverse terminal is engraved with an original engraved crest above a script monogram and the bowl is attractively pierced with scrolls and crosslets.

The condition of the spoon is superb with extremely crisp fancy front decoration. The bottom-struck hallmarks are illegible, but the maker's mark is a flamboyant script and possibly that belonging to John Lampfert.