William Cary Silver Seal Top Spoon, 1640

This is an outstanding example of a Charles I period silver seal top spoon with a massive, cast, baluster finial.

The spoon was made in London by William Cary and is stamped with an excellent set of hallmarks that include the WC mark of the maker. The gilt finial is especially large in size compared with other contemporary seal top spoons and the detail remains crisp. The flat end plate is attractively dot-prick engraved with two sets of initials and the date "1646" suggesting that this was the betrothal spoon for the original owners.

The generous sized, fig-shaped bowl retains a pleasing thick rim around the edge and the leopard's head bowl mark remains crisp (albeit slightly off-centre!).

William Cary had been apprenticed in 1630 to John Terry before being turned over to his uncle Daniel Cary and becoming free in 1638. He was part of a long line of spoonmakers that began with Nicholas Bartholomew in the early 16th century and went on to include the major spoonmakers of the 18th century through his apprentice John King.

This is a superb mid-17th century spoon in fine condition.