Medieval Silver Acorn Knop Spoon, c.1275

Acorn knops are the earliest true English spoon type with production dating from between circa 1200 and circa 1400. In line with the vast majority of medieval spoons, this silver spoon is unmarked and so makes it difficult to exactly date, but it will have most likely been made circa 1275-1300.

It is a good size for an acorn knop spoon measuring just over 6" in length and although the immediate appearance suggests it has a diamond-shaped stem, the narrow facets to both front and back actually make it hexagonal in form - the very narrowness of the facets place it in the 13th century. The stem tapers towards the finial and there is just the semblance of a rudimentary rattail on the back of the stem/bowl joint, whilst the join at the front has quite a deep drop in to the shallow bowl - these two features are representative of the final quarter of the 13th century - see Constable "Silver Spoons of Britain 1200-1700", page 110.

In line with other medieval English acorn knops, this spoon has a well modelled finial and although the cross hatching to the cup is a little worn this too is diagnostic of the 13th century. The leading edge of the bowl is worn from over 700 years of use to give a slightly mis-shaped appearance but the stem is straight and true.

This spoon was most likely made during the reign of King Edward I (1272-1307) - Edward Longshanks "Hammer of the Scots" and is a remarkable survivor!