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拍品專文
The first known statutes which governed the production of objects in precious metals was in 1238, though rules would have existed even before this date. The earliest mark was introduced in 1300 when the leopard's head mark was first used. As the use of date letters, so vital to research into silver, did not begin until 1478, Commander and Mrs How introduced a system to identify Leopard's heads from 1300-1478, (How, op. cit. vol. 3, pp. 55-58).
The earliest type they record are the 'Grecian' (see lot 308) and 'Persian' with the next being the 'Indian' head which appears on the present spoon, as well as lot 313. The mark is identified by them as having 'spiked forehead, ears level with eyes, hollow cheek, angry expression'. The exact dating of these marks is by no means certain however the date usually ascribed to this mark is mid-14th century, which is borne out by the form of the two spoons in the Benson collection.
DIAMOND POINT SPOONS
Diamond point spoons, so called for the facetted shape of their finial, which How suggests (op. cit. vol. I, p. 161) is based on the prick or goad spur which was common in the 13th century, were first made at the end of the 13th century, eventually replacing the acorn as the most common form. The earliest example with full London marks is believed to date from 1493 but examples are known with several versions of the early Leopard head mark. A set of 'ii dozen and vi spoyns with dyamond poyntes' are recorded in the will of a Richard Morton of 1487 and cited by Timothy Kent in his introduction to The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons, p. 3.
The earliest type they record are the 'Grecian' (see lot 308) and 'Persian' with the next being the 'Indian' head which appears on the present spoon, as well as lot 313. The mark is identified by them as having 'spiked forehead, ears level with eyes, hollow cheek, angry expression'. The exact dating of these marks is by no means certain however the date usually ascribed to this mark is mid-14th century, which is borne out by the form of the two spoons in the Benson collection.
DIAMOND POINT SPOONS
Diamond point spoons, so called for the facetted shape of their finial, which How suggests (op. cit. vol. I, p. 161) is based on the prick or goad spur which was common in the 13th century, were first made at the end of the 13th century, eventually replacing the acorn as the most common form. The earliest example with full London marks is believed to date from 1493 but examples are known with several versions of the early Leopard head mark. A set of 'ii dozen and vi spoyns with dyamond poyntes' are recorded in the will of a Richard Morton of 1487 and cited by Timothy Kent in his introduction to The Benson Collection of Early Silver Spoons, p. 3.