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Author	Topic: wedding spoon?
tmockait Posts: 963 Registered: Jul 2004	posted 11-20-2005 05:11 PM I just acquired a spoon similar to the one I bought in Belfast (see Dublin spoon thread). In this case I can clearly say that the spoon was made in London in 1815 by William Bateman. What I am wondering about is the engraving, "B" above "C+M", which is similar in style to that on the Dublin spoon. In that thread Silver Lyon indicated that this kind of etching indicates a spoon given to newlyweds to start their table service. Was it customary to use such a primitive style of etching as is common to both my spoons for this sort of gift.? This spoon seems more finely made (if that makes sense) but still bears the rather primitive engraving. Thanks, Tom IP: Logged
adelapt Posts: 418 Registered: May 2003	posted 11-20-2005 05:20 PM Tom, My understanding would be that these initials are ownership initials for the couple concerned, not necessarily related to the actual marriage. In general, the possession of one or several silver spoons was much more common that the ownership of a suite of flatware. Someone with the resources to have a suite of flatware would be much more likely to have an engraved crest on them, or at the least, at that period a more decorative engraved monogram. What think you, Silver Lyon? IP: Logged
tmockait Posts: 963 Registered: Jul 2004	posted 11-20-2005 06:10 PM So the couple had their initials etched rather crudely into the individual spoon rather than commissioning an engraved set? That would expalin similarity between the two spoons made in 1773-4 and 1815 respectively. Thanks, Tom IP: Logged
Brent Posts: 1507 Registered: May 99	posted 11-21-2005 12:28 PM Simple engraved block initials like this are reasonably common on 18th and early 19th C flatware, both in England and America. Script initials are far more common in the post-1780 era than block initials, though, and English people with a family crest (and some money) would more likely have the crest engraved on their silver. I would imagine that the original owners of your spoons were not particularly wealthy or important, or possibly from a rural area less attuned to current fashions. Or, they may have been members of a religious group that rejected self-aggrandizement. The form of engraving does denote a married couple, but not necessarily a wedding present. The style of the spoon first appears around 1770, and continues as the dominant style in England until about 1815-1820. It is called "Old English" in England, which should give you some idea of its popularity. BTW, engraving and etching are two very differnt processes. Engraving is done with steel tools, while etching is done with acids. The vast majority of monograms are engraved. Brent IP: Logged
tmockait Posts: 963 Registered: Jul 2004	posted 11-21-2005 12:52 PM Brent, Thanks for the info. My spoons would appear to bracket this period. The Irish one was made in 1773-4, the English in 1815. I imagine that less well off people picked up silver one piece at a time until they had a few setting and then passed it on as a family treasure. Did they buy the spoon or receive it as a gift and then get it engraved? Tom IP: Logged

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