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Lot Essay
The marks on this spoon have been variously attributed to Poole and Gloucester (I. Pickford, ed., Jackson's Silver and Gold Marks of England Scotland and Ireland, 1989, p. 317). However more recently the connection to the Arden family, working in Sherborne, has been suggested by Timothy Kent. Kent discusses in his book West Country Silver Spoons and Their Makers 1550-1750, London, 1992, pp. 64-66. Four members of the Arden family who were all known spoon-makers, with all but the last member, John, working in Sherborne. A comparison of the seal on the present spoon to other examples known to be made by the family show many similarities and another example struck with only the device mark on the stem and bowl was sold Bonhams, London, 8 July 2009, lot 55.
As Anthony and his brother Joseph are recorded by Kent as being visited by the Wardens of the London assay office in 1633, the date of the present spoon (T. Kent, op. cit., pp. 64-66), they are the most likely candidates to be its maker.
As Anthony and his brother Joseph are recorded by Kent as being visited by the Wardens of the London assay office in 1633, the date of the present spoon (T. Kent, op. cit., pp. 64-66), they are the most likely candidates to be its maker.