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Lot Essay
Acorn-Knop Spoons
The acorn-knop spoon is among the earliest identifiable forms of post-Roman European spoons, with examples dating as early as the beginning of the 14th century. It is also one of the earliest forms of spoon in what Commander and Mrs How describe as an 'International Form' (Commander G. E. P. How and J. P. How, English and Scottish Silver Spoons, Mediaeval to Late Stuart and Pre-Elizabethan Hallmarks on English Plate, London, 1952, vol. I, pp 33-35).
The significance of spoons generally, and the acorn-knop specifically, to their Medieval owners is hinted at by their appearance in wills. Timothy Kent, in his introduction The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons cites the will of John de Halegh, proved in 1351, where he bequeathed twelve spoons with ‘akernes' to Thomas Taillour. John Botillor, a draper leaves his wife Isabella 'twelve best spoons with gilt acorns,' (D. J. E. Constable, The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons, Golden Cross, 2012, p.3).
The acorn-knop spoon is among the earliest identifiable forms of post-Roman European spoons, with examples dating as early as the beginning of the 14th century. It is also one of the earliest forms of spoon in what Commander and Mrs How describe as an 'International Form' (Commander G. E. P. How and J. P. How, English and Scottish Silver Spoons, Mediaeval to Late Stuart and Pre-Elizabethan Hallmarks on English Plate, London, 1952, vol. I, pp 33-35).
The significance of spoons generally, and the acorn-knop specifically, to their Medieval owners is hinted at by their appearance in wills. Timothy Kent, in his introduction The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons cites the will of John de Halegh, proved in 1351, where he bequeathed twelve spoons with ‘akernes' to Thomas Taillour. John Botillor, a draper leaves his wife Isabella 'twelve best spoons with gilt acorns,' (D. J. E. Constable, The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons, Golden Cross, 2012, p.3).