Slide #5
of 16

     The most common finial was the seal top, so called because its top resembles a seal though it was not used as such. These three examples show some of the variations in the design of the finial. From top to bottom the spoons are:

     Late 16th century, Provincial, maker HW (unidentified), 6.5 inches;
     Late 16th century, John Gladstone and John Utting, Lichfield, 6.4 inches;
     Circa 1619 (date pricked on seal), unknown maker, Beccles, 7.2 inches.

     The detail from the Beccles spoon shows that it passed through the collection of the Marquess of Breadalbane which was dispersed at a Christie's sale in 1926. It was his regrettable practice to have his name stamped on the spoons in his collection.