Elizabethan Seal Top Spoon, 1560

This is a fabulous example of an early Elizabethan spoon of the very highest quality with a large gilt finial. The massive baluster seal is typical of those found in the early years of Elizabeth’s reign and this example is near identical to the one show as plate 12 on page 236/7 of How - “English & Scottish Silver Spoons: Late Mediaeval to Stuart". The spoon is in superb condition with no evident wear to the bowl - the rim remains thick all the way around and the detail to the seal remains crisp. There are no engravings to the flat seal terminal. The reverse of the bowl bears dot pricked initials "A+G".

A further bonus for this spoon are the excellent hallmarks including the clear bowl mark. The maker's mark is a  very distinctive  "W" in a radiant circle. This mark is similar to the one shown in Pickford’s edition of Jackson's Hallmarks on page 95 (last entry on page for years 1563/4) and two similar ones illustrated for 1562 and 1574/5 both noted on apostle spoons.

This is as good as you are likely to find for an Elizabethan seal top spoon - it has everything going for it: excellent quality/weight, stunning condition and clear hallmarks - a truly outstanding spoon.