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The story begins with a distinctive form of English spoon that began to emerge during the 13th century. The key difference from continental spoons was the hexagonal cross-section to the stem. Hand forged from a single piece of silver, the spoons have a fig-shaped bowl and a small finial, typically an acorn or a diamond shape. The acorn top spoon shown here, 6.1 inches long, can be dated reasonably confidently to the early 14th century because of the narrowness of the stem's top and bottom facets and the lack of any strengthening drop or "heel" to the bowl. It bears the scars of burial and has no marks, as was common even though the first English hall-marking law was enacted in 1300. |
