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posted 08-16-2005 09:37 PM            

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It is really the dog days of summer where I live and I started rummaging through some old silver. Here is an interesting little coffin spoon with the mark of Samuel Ayers as shown at mark 10B, page 298 of “Silversmiths, Jewelers, Watch and Clock Makers” by Marquis Boultinghouse. The spoon is 5 ½” long and has an interesting monogram “TB” set within the upper half of a dotted outline form of engraving. I am not sure what this engraving is called. It is really not a bright cut form, but appears to have been made simply by a tool that depressed the silver in a series of very short lines. The bowl also has an incised crescent drop. I have not seen other coffin spoons with this form of decoration and wonder if anyone else is aware of other examples.

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posted 08-17-2005 01:47 PM            

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I have a coffin end spoon with similar engraving, but it is only on the back of the spoon in the drop area-two angular lines. I am away from home, but will try to post a photo this weekend.

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posted 08-17-2005 04:13 PM            

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A closer image of the border markings might help identify how they were made.

Fred

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posted 08-17-2005 07:45 PM            

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This is about good as I can get with a close-up. The engraving is quite worn, but it seems to me that the short lines were intentionally made to have straight side walls, whereas the initials and feathering around the initials were cut-in at angles so as to catch the light. The effect would be that the engraving outlining the initials would not reflect light, but rather appear as a dark surround.

Sometimes craftsmen located away from major cities came up with decoration of their own invention and I thought this form may be one example. Tennessee and Kentucky furniture often looks like the craftsman saw the eastern styles, but either didn't quite remember what it looked like or decided he or she could improve the look with some changes from their own innovation.

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posted 08-25-2005 02:00 PM            

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Here's the photo of the back of my spoon with the similar design.

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posted 08-25-2005 06:58 PM            

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The design is created by rocking a flat graver back and forth on the surface of the metal. Sometimes known as wriggle work. The decoration on the first spoon shown is worn and appears to be only multiple dashes.

Fred

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posted 08-26-2005 10:27 AM            

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Thanks for the information. After DOC posted his picture I was reminded to look in Belden. She shows both a drop and a handle with what she terms roulettework. When not worn the two dashes are joined together.

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posted 08-26-2005 10:58 AM            

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I have an issue with Belden's use of "roulette work" for the wriggle decoration we are talking about. If I recall correctly she elludes to the use of a wheel to make the decoration. I know for certain that a simple flat graver is used to make this design. You all can test this for yourself if you take a screwdriver and use it to make similar marks on a piece of pine.

Fred

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