James I Silver Seal Top Spoon, 1610 James Cluatt

This is a fine example of a James I period silver seal top spoon in excellent condition.

The spoon has all the expevted traits of spoon from this period - hexagonal stem, deep, fig-shaped bowl and a cast finial with flat plate to the terminal. The seal-form finial retains its original detailing and gilding.The terminal plate is dot-prick engraved with original ownership initials "EW" and the presence of the 1609 date is an additional bonus and suggestive of this being a baptismal gift - "born with a silver spoon....".

Made by the specialist spoonmaker James Cluatt (maker's mark "I" inside a "C"), this is a top quality example with original patina, full and unworn bowl and a clear sets of London hallmarks. James Cluatt was apprenticed to the master spoonmaker William Cawdell in 1594 and in turn taught the later spoonmakers William Limpanny and Richard Thorniwork.

If you were seeking just one example of an early 17th century spoon, then this 410-year old seal top spoon would be a great one to own!