Napier Pattern Silver Caddy Spoon, 1862 Gordon Clan

Napier pattern is a much sought after Victorian flatware design and this silver tea caddy spoon is a stunning example.

Made by George Adams of Chawner & Co. (GA maker's mark), this silver tea caddy spoon has a nice chunky feeling in the hand, fluted bowl and good, crisp decoration. It is in fine condition with an original engraved crest and motto to the front terminal.

The Latin motto reads "Animo Non Astutia" and translates to "by courage not cunning" and the crest features a boar's head - these are the crest and motto of the Gordon clan (as seen on a bottle of Gordon's gin!). 

In addition to the London hallmarks struck to the reverse of the bowl, there is also a registration design kite for 1862. The design for Napier pattern was registered in 1862 by Chawner & Company and so this caddy spoon represents one of the earliest pieces in the design. The pattern was named in honour of Sir Charles John Napier (1786-1860) with the nautical rope work theme of the spoon being particularly apt as he spent sixty years in the Royal Navy, seeing service from the Napoleonic Wars through to the Crimean War (see Wikipedia for further information).