Laceback Trefid Spoon by Richard Sweet of Chard 1704

This is a fantastic example of a highly desirable West Country silver laceback trefid spoon. This 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 laceback designs to the reverse of the bowl and front terminal are in outstandingly crisp condition. The dot-pricked betrothal initials to the reverse of the terminal have the additional bonus of being dated to 1704 - there are two sets of initials with the letter "L" being the surname of the newly-weds. The maker's mark is clearly and deeply struck four 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!