Teaspoon
1850-1851 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Though today ‘cutlery’ refers to knives, forks and spoons in general, historically, it was only the knife blade (made of steel) that was actually made by a ‘cutler’. Knife handles, spoons and forks, together with servers and other implements of the table made by silversmiths, are known rather as ‘flatware’, the production of which was often a family business.
Decoration of flatware was produced mainly by the die-stamping method, where silver ‘blanks’ are pressed between two steel dies or moulds previously carved with the imprint of the design. The dies were expensive to produce and intended for mass-production. This piece is decorated with the 'Laurel' pattern.
Decoration of flatware was produced mainly by the die-stamping method, where silver ‘blanks’ are pressed between two steel dies or moulds previously carved with the imprint of the design. The dies were expensive to produce and intended for mass-production. This piece is decorated with the 'Laurel' pattern.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Stamped silver |
Brief description | Teaspoon, silver, London hallmarks for 1850-51, mark of John Samuel Hunt. |
Physical description | Stamped with Laurel pattern, also known as Lord Harris |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions | Underside of stem: maker's mark ISH under a crown for John Samuel Hunt (small mark alongside), leopard's head, sterling, date letter 'P' for 1850-51, duty |
Summary | Though today ‘cutlery’ refers to knives, forks and spoons in general, historically, it was only the knife blade (made of steel) that was actually made by a ‘cutler’. Knife handles, spoons and forks, together with servers and other implements of the table made by silversmiths, are known rather as ‘flatware’, the production of which was often a family business. Decoration of flatware was produced mainly by the die-stamping method, where silver ‘blanks’ are pressed between two steel dies or moulds previously carved with the imprint of the design. The dies were expensive to produce and intended for mass-production. This piece is decorated with the 'Laurel' pattern. |
Bibliographic reference | Pickford, Ian. Silver Flatware. English, Irish and Scottish 1660-1980. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Antique Collectors' Club, 1983. ISBN 0907462359. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.65C-1966 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 3, 2004 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest