George III London Sterling Silver Old English Pattern Tablespoon, 1806
Flatware - Tablespoon · The maker's mark is partially rubbed but the sequence indicates a prominent London workshop like William Eley, William Fearn & William Chawner, who were leading specialists in high-quality Georgian flatware.
Pattern: Old English Pattern; a classic minimalist design introduced in the mid-18th century and remains a staple of British silver production.
Type
Flatware - Tablespoon
Maker
The maker's mark is partially rubbed but the sequence indicates a prominent London workshop like William Eley, William Fearn & William Chawner, who were leading specialists in high-quality Georgian flatware.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout with no base metals or fillers.
Dimensions
Standard tablespoon size, approximately 20-22 cm in length. Estimated weight between 60 to 75 grams (approx. 2.0 - 2.4 troy ounces).
Description
An elegant example of George III period functional art, this sterling silver tablespoon represents the height of London silversmithing. Its Old English pattern reflects the restraint and elegance of the early 19th-century English dining table, prioritizing balance and material purity over ostentatious decoration.
Key Features
Vertical hallmark orientation (typical for the period), 'L' date letter for 1806, and the presence of the Duty Mark used only until 1890.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Solid composition throughout with no base metals or fillers.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with heavy surface patina and 'use-marks.' The design is minimalist with a plain, unadorned handle and rounded stem, characteristic of the Neoclassical preference for clean lines.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Full set of five British Hallmarks in vertical alignment: 1. Maker's mark (obscured); 2. Lion Passant (Sterling purity); 3. Leopard's Head Crowned (London Assay Office); 4. Date Letter 'L' (1806); 5. George III Duty Mark (Sovereign's Head).
Construction Details
Hand-forged from a single ingot of silver. The marks are deeply struck into the reverse of the handle stem. The bowl would have been hand-hammered over a stake.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl for serving or dining; balanced weighting to prevent tipping when placed on a plate.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with a slight downturn at the terminal, typical of the late 18th/early 19th-century Ergonomics.
Craftsmanship Details
Evident hand-work in the 'planishing' of the bowl and the deep, uneven striking of the hallmark punches, characteristic of manual production before the industrial age.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark sequence is internally consistent; wear patterns show genuine age; hallmark dies show appropriate 'squeeze' marks into the silver substrate.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England. Produced during the peak of the British guild system under strict assay controls.
Era & Period
Georgian Period (George III), specifically the Regency transition. Indicators include the crowned leopard and George III duty mark.
Age Estimate
1806. Precisely dated by the 'L' date letter in a shield with specific clipping patterns and the George III duty mark.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of the burgeoning middle class in Napoleonic-era England, where silver flatware was both a household necessity and a primary form of liquid wealth.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface scratching and 'pitting' consistent with 200+ years of use. Notable 'bowl wear' (thinning at the tip of the bowl) and some rubbing to the hallmarks.
Value Estimate
$80 - $150 USD depending on the clarity of the maker's mark and the presence of monograms on the terminal.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's) and a soft cotton cloth. Avoid dishwasher use at all costs, as the heat and chemicals will pit the silver.
Similar Pieces
Fiddle Pattern spoons (which have 'shoulders' near the bowl) or Hanoverian Pattern spoons (which have a central ridge on the handle).
Interesting Facts
The Duty Mark (Sovereign's head) was applied to show that the tax to pay for the Napoleonic Wars had been paid by the silversmith.