Set of 6 Boulton & Fothergill Silver Dessert Spoons, 1777

This is a scarce set of Georgian silver dessert spoons made by the most important Birmingham-based silversmithing partnership - Boulton and Fothergill

The spoons are in Old English Feather Edge which is a typical pattern for the mid-1770’s and bear an original engraved crest to each terminal. The spoons are in fine condition with full sets of Birmingham hallmarks to the reverse sides that are early examples from this assay office (it opened in 1773) and include the all important “MB IF” maker’s marks.

Matthew Boulton was the main instigator in the opening of the Birmingham assay office in 1773. The Soho factory belonging to Matthew Boulton was intent upon speeding up production and cutting down the costs of manufacturing top quality silver items and a local assay office was crucial to its success. It was Boulton's patronage that lead to the famous success of James Watts' steam engine. Boulton entered in to a partnership with John Fothergill in 1762, but they never made a profit and the partnership ended in acrimony in 1782.