Sterling Silver Hanovarian Basting Spoon, Rats Tail Pattern
English hallmarked sterling silver Hanovarian basting spoon designed in the rats tail pattern, with a double drop back. Marks rubbed. Condition good, age related wear. Length 13.98 in. Weight 190g
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- Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, and is relatively soft and the addition of the very small amount of copper gives the metal enough strength and hardness to be worked into jewellery, decorative and household objects.
- Marrow Spoon - A spoon with a long handle and a narrow scoop shaped bowl, used to scoop and eat marrow from the hollow centre of roasted bones. Some marrow scoops are double ended with a different shaped bowl at each end.
- Hanoverian Pattern - This style was popular under George I, between 1700 and about 1770, and was characterised a simple form consisting of a long bowl and central spine running up the face of the spoon, with the handle widening towards the top, and the end of the spoon curving upwards instead of downwards as with most patterns.
Production of spoons and forks in the Hanoverian style was revived in the 19th century. - Hallmarks - A mark stamped on articles of precious metals in Britain, since the 14th century, certifying their purity. It derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay (test the purity) and mark articles of gold and silver.
The hallmark will consist of several marks, including the:
- silver standard mark, indicating the purity of the metal. Sterling silver is .925 pure silver.
- the city mark indicating the city in which it was assayed eg London, Birmingham, York etc.
- the date mark, usually a letter of the alphabet in a particular font and case,
- a duty mark, indicating whether duty had been paid to the crown, and only in use from 1784 to 1890
The piece may include an additional mark, the maker's mark, although not forming part of the hallmark, will be located in the vicinity of the hallmarks.
Sometimes silver plated items will bear faux hallmarks, often confusing those not familiar with silver markings.
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