Details
The Walter Lion Sejant:
an extremely rare, 14th century lion sejant spoon; the long tapering hexagonal spoon terminating in the gilt figure of a lion sejant affronté on a flared pediment with tail curled around his trunk, the fig-shaped bowl deeply curved and stamped with a 'Syrian' leopards' head mark*, the stem crudely scratched with two initials on the reverse "N.H" or "H.N", probably second half of the 14th century - 18.9cm long, 1.5oz.
Literature:
Jackson's Revised pp.47 for the early series of leopards' head masks.
How, Silver Spoons and Pre-Elizabeth I Hallmarks on English Plate, vol.III, pp.136-7 for details and illustrations of this spoon where How States "this would appear to be the earliest example of a Lion Sejant at present recorded." and pp.113 for an illustration of this "Syrian" mark. Gask, N Old Silver Spoons of England, pp.72 mentions this spoon.
Provenance:
Present Owner
Collection of Maitre Leopold Dor
Sold as lot 88 in a catalogue of the well known collection of London and provincial silver spoons, mainly 15th-17th century formed by the late J.H.Walter Esq. of Drayton Hall, Norwich, Sotheby's 1 and 2 July 1954.
See Illustrations and Details
an extremely rare, 14th century lion sejant spoon; the long tapering hexagonal spoon terminating in the gilt figure of a lion sejant affronté on a flared pediment with tail curled around his trunk, the fig-shaped bowl deeply curved and stamped with a 'Syrian' leopards' head mark*, the stem crudely scratched with two initials on the reverse "N.H" or "H.N", probably second half of the 14th century - 18.9cm long, 1.5oz.
Literature:
Jackson's Revised pp.47 for the early series of leopards' head masks.
How, Silver Spoons and Pre-Elizabeth I Hallmarks on English Plate, vol.III, pp.136-7 for details and illustrations of this spoon where How States "this would appear to be the earliest example of a Lion Sejant at present recorded." and pp.113 for an illustration of this "Syrian" mark. Gask, N Old Silver Spoons of England, pp.72 mentions this spoon.
Provenance:
Present Owner
Collection of Maitre Leopold Dor
Sold as lot 88 in a catalogue of the well known collection of London and provincial silver spoons, mainly 15th-17th century formed by the late J.H.Walter Esq. of Drayton Hall, Norwich, Sotheby's 1 and 2 July 1954.
See Illustrations and Details