| The weight of spoons could be tailored to the buyer's pocket as can be seen by these three seal tops. Their finials are of similar form but markedly different sizes. From top to bottom the spoons are:
Circa 1656 (date pricked on seal), unidentified provincial maker (mark an incuse cinquefoil), 6.7 inches; Circa 1639 (date pricked on seal), unidentified provincial maker (mark a castle turret), 6.4 inches; Circa 1638 (date pricked on seal), by V/T (probably Thomas Vovert of Southampton), 7.1 inches.
The form of spoons was continuing to evolve. The bowl on the later, 1656 spoon here is more nearly oval than fig shaped, for example. |
