George II Pair of Silver Shell-back Table Spoons, 1740

These are an excellent early pair of picture back silver table spoons with a simple shell to the reverse of the bowls.

This form of shell was the first design used to decorate the reverse bowls of Hanoverian spoons and these are a particularly good pair made by the top spoonmaker Edward Bennett. Betrothal triangles are always a charming addition to early/mid 18th century spoons, especially pairs, and the engraved "W" over "IF" to the reverse terminals of these spoons shows the surname of the newly weds as the upper letter and the first names as the lower two.

This handsome pair of George II period table spoons remain in excellent condition with crisp shells, legible London hallmarks and a lovely antique patina.

Edward Bennett served his apprenticeship between 1720 and 1727, at first with Henry Miller and later with the important spoonmaker Samuel Hutton.