Cornish Silver Dog-Nose Spoon, Bodmin c.1726
Sold
Spoon - Dog-nose - Bodmin circa 1726 by Francis Bishop - 19.3cm long; 48g - YT/1886
This is a very rare West Country silver dog nose spoon bearing the "FB" mark of its Cornish based maker three times along the stem.
The spoon is in good condition, although the bowl tip is a little worn/misshapen (but not sharp) and can be accurately dated to the mid-1720's by the original dated betrothal engraving to the reverse terminal - "DC" over "IC" over "1726". This Bodmin maker should have had this spoon officially assayed and marked, however given the long and hazardous trip up to Exeter, this rural maker can be forgiven for taking the simpler route of marking in-house and saving both time and expense!
According to Miles Harrison in "Exeter & West Country Silver 1700-1900", Francis Bishop was first recorded in 1713 having being apprenticed to Thomas Reynolds and entered a Sterling Standard mark at Exeter in 1723. His "FB" maker's mark can be seen on page 31 fig.2. He died in 1737.
