Shell-back Silver Mote Spoon 1735 by Ann Hill

This is a fine quality George II period silver mote spoon made by the lady silversmith Ann Hill.

The spoon is attractively pierced to the bowl with crosslets and scrolls and has the rare addition of engraved flourishes to heighten the effect. There is a spike to the end of the handle for clearing out blocked teapot spouts and a shell with feathers to the reverse of the bowl that are typical of the 1730's. The clear AR maker's mark within a lozenge can be confidently attributed to Ann Hill and her working period helps clinch the date of this spoon to between 1734 and 1737.

Ann Hill's mark second mark comprises "AH" in a widow's lozenge and was first entered at Goldsmith's Hall circa 1734/35 and was presumably entered following the death of her son Caleb Hill. Widow Hill had entered her first mark in 1726 but this was probably withdrawn in 1728 when Caleb took over the family business in Albemarle Street and entered his own mark. Ann Hill either died or retired in 1737