Laceback Silver Trefid Spoon, 1699 by Richard Sweet
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Spoon - Laceback Trefid - Chard c1699 by Richard Sweet - 21cm long; 66g - GD/4934
This is a fabulous West Country silver laceback trefid spoon made by Richard Sweet of Chard.
This high quality, late 17th century spoon is in superb condition and has a multitude of desirable features. The spoon has well-defined laceback decoration to both sides, a good, thick bowl rim, clear marks and an excellent antique patina.
The unusual laceback designs to the reverse of the bowl and front terminal are in lovely, crisp condition. The dot-pricked betrothal initials "NY" over "TL" to the reverse of the terminal have the additional bonus of being dated to "99" [1699].The maker's mark is clearly and deeply struck three times to the stem and are documentary examples of the "RS with anchor between" mark.
The Sweet family were an important group of spoon makers in the West Country and were dispersed around several towns of the area - Crewkerne, Dunster, Honiton & Chard amongst them. The maker of this spoon is Richard Sweet II of Chard who lived from 1637 to 1718. See “West Country Silver Spoons” by Tim Kent page 135 for further information.
A really fine spoon!
