posted 08-29-2007 06:23 PM            

I recently purchased a Hanoverian teaspoon on a popular internet auction site for 99 cents. (yes really). I took a flier on a murky out of focus photograph based on the form alone, and it turned out to be genuine.

While I'm sure to many of you this is old-hat, to me it is exciting in the extreme. The spoon is beautiful, but comes with a little mystery as well.

The form has teaspoon dimensions (maybe 5 inches long). It features a very prominent topside midrib, and a very deeply fan-decorated drop. (looks applied rather than swaged to me, but I have little experience with spoons of this age).

I have seen a fair number of Hanoverian spoons, but generally larger spoons, and none of them flared as late on the shaft as this one does.

The spoon is in truly outstanding condition, except of course (as luck would have it) for the maker's mark, and the inscription.

Both are very obviously there, but well-rubbed. The maker's mark is "IC" in what looks like a punch with rounded corners (almost a round punch) rather than rectangular (sorry about the weak photos)

The inscription is in block roman, but the only discernible character is a "K".

The cast of 18th century characters using an "IC" maker's mark is relatively extensive according to my references. I am trying to narrow the field with a little deductive reasoning... this brings me to my questions.

1) Is there anything about the form itself (the relatively high flare on the shaft in particular) which would narrow the date range?

2) Is this particular form of drop decoration particular to any maker, or to any geographical area?

3) Does the inscription (not much to go on but the "K") help date the piece by the style of the letter?

4) Does the bowl shape or the drop have anything to tell me?

I know these are quite a few questions, but I'm eager to learn more about 18th century American silver. I have collected 19th century Southern (and particularly Baltimore) coin for awhile, but the more of these early pieces I touch, the more they get their hooks in me.

I'm getting the bug.. (bad)

In any case, thanks in advance for any insight you might provide.

posted 08-29-2007 07:11 PM            

I made the early assumption that the spoon was American based on the fact that the spoon was purchased with other American coin (albeit of slightly later vintage) I purchased 5 spoons for my 99 cents.

The American attribution remains an assumption, but I feel it a likely one.

Irish? Possibly.

British? Probably not, unless it is Channel Islands. (there is absolutely no indication of any other mark on the spoon).

I'll certainly check out the post in the British forum.

posted 08-29-2007 08:04 PM            

I'll try to get a better picture, but I don't think it will be TOO much better.

Given where the spoon was purchased, the character of the "C", and the relatively round nature to the punch, I have my own suspicions as to the maker (James Chalmers, Annapolis)...

The period is right, as is the geography.

Never seen an example of Chalmers' work though. (don't know if the drop decoration fits).

I was wondering more generally, is there any good reference available that shows a goodly number of spoon forms, and corresponding dates?

I put this one between 1740 and 1750, but that was pure guesswork based on gut feel. It would be nice to see a reference work that was devoted to forms.

In any case, I'll try to get a better picture sometime soon. (I'm working on a fixed focus magnifying stage to photograph marks on flatware. Just drop in the spoon and shoot).

posted 08-30-2007 09:51 AM            

Have to admit that looks pretty close. I wonder where I could find examples of Cluett's work so I could determine if the style matches?

I guess that's my greater interest here.. You folks have years of experience with styles, forms, and characteristics that I'm trying to catch up on. I am purchasing reference works at a pretty good pace, but most of them focus on marks rather than styles and forms.

Maybe I'll make it a project to compile a style/form reference.

posted 08-30-2007 03:56 PM            

I can get a sharper image of the rub, but a rub it remains.

I'm playing with fiber-optic side-lighting now (I'm an optical engineer by trade) to see if I can improve the contrast and shadow to tease out a little more..