Silver spoon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1720-1730
This object is a forged sterling silver spoon in the Hanoverian pattern, dating to between 1720 and 1730. Produced in England, likely in Tiverton or Plymouth, it is attributed to the maker John Murch I. The spoon measures 19.5 cm in length from the tip of the bowl to the tip of the finial and weighs 39.4 g. It features an oval bowl, a ridged finial, and a distinct 'rat-tail' ridge at the heel where the stem joins the bowl.
The back of the stem bears three punch-marks containing the maker's mark 'I M' in an oval punch, with two of the impressions worn and indistinct. The finial is engraved on the same side with several generations of ownership inscriptions, reading 'I * S' / to / 'C * S' / 1798', followed by a slightly later addition engraved as 'to / RPC' in monogram form.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The spoon reflects the Hanoverian style popular across Europe from around 1710 until about 1770, named after the reigns of George I and George II. Spoons of this period were designed to be set on a table with the open bowl facing downward following French fashion, which placed owner engravings on the back of the finial. John Murch established himself as a goldsmith in Plymouth by 1694 before moving in 1717 to Tiverton, where he worked until his death in 1728. He frequently avoided submitting silver to the Exeter assay office, instead stamping his own mark repeatedly to simulate official assay punches.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver, forged
- Dimensions
- Length (tip of bowl to tip of finial): 19.5 cm; Weight: 39.4 g
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Punched three times on the back of the stem, maker's mark of John Murch, the intials 'I M' in an oval punch. Two of the impressions worn and difficult to read.; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Engraved on the finial (on the same side as the punched maker's mark), a set of initials and date: 'I * S' / to / 'C * S' / 1798' Below this date, added slightly later: 'to / RPC' (these initials in monogramme).; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Place recorded
- Tiverton, Plymouth
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- spoon
- Museum object number
- CIRC.1569-1923
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.