The records of the London goldsmiths' Garrard for 1760 include customer orders for spoons and forks which are described as 'turn'd back'. This is almost certainly a reference to pieces like this, in which the finial turns back or down so that they can be laid on the table with the bowl or tines uppermost (as we would set them on the table today). Turned back finials are unlike the French patterns which English goldsmiths imitated during the second half of the eighteenth century, and consequently this distinctive style has come to be known as 'Old English'. On the other hand, the single thread or reed around the edge of the handle is inspired by French styles, particularly table flatwares made by the immigrant Hugenot goldsmith who worked in London, Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751). The use of a single thread, as in this example, is uncommon.