Two Arts & Craft spoons

MLF · Post by **MLF** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:22 pm

Two spoons; Arts & Craft and clearly related. The smaller spoon (on a black background) is about 5 Â½” long and the larger one (on a red background) some 8”. Neither spoon is marked but both appear to be sterling and are probably British: I bought the smaller one in the UK, where the larger one still resides (its owner has kindly allowed me to reproduce these images).

I wonder if anyone can shed light on the origin of the spoons? Is it normal to see unmarked Arts & Craft pieces? I suppose it’s quite likely that the Arts & Craft movement included artists who didn’t want hallmarks to interfere with the overall aesthetics of their pieces.

One curious difference between the two spoons is how the handles terminate: on the larger spoon it remains straight, but on the smaller spoon it is first bent down slightly and then to one side. Did this happen later in the spoon’s life or did the silversmith vary such details on purpose?

Best wishes

Mikael

Post by **dragonflywink** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:16 am

They don't really look like Arts & Crafts to me, more like reproductions of an ancient Roman spoon, would guess based on an original in some museum, the sort of goose-neck shape on the one piece would be typical.

Cheryl ;o)

Post by **admin** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:02 am

Hi,
Agree with Cheryl, I've come across a number of Italian unmarked & 800 marked and have seen a single English hallmarked example. They are neat items, some really great examples were made in the late nineteenth century by Mellilo in Naples and Innocenti in Rome as souvenirs for the wealthy on the "Grand Tour".

Regards, Tom

MLF · Post by **MLF** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:49 am

Hello,

Thank you both for sharing your insights. Not Arts & Craft but reproductions of Roman pieces... Very interesting!

Best wishes

Mikael

MLF · Post by **MLF** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:33 am

Cheryl's points made me have a look at this little spoon in my collection:

It's a replica of a Roman spoon found in Bath. It measures about 3 3/4" and was made by Richard Comyns in London in 1985.

The basic design of the two ram's head spoons is clearly related to this one - not least the goose neck. I suppose the straight end of the handle is typical and, consequently, that the larger of the two ram's head spoons is more 'correct'.

Best wishes

Mikael

byron mac donald · Post by **byron mac donald** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:23 am

Hi

I have seen many ads for roman spoons on various sites. How could tell a reproduction from an original? other than it not being marked of course.

MLF · Post by **MLF** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 5:01 pm

Hello Byron,

I'm no expert and hope someone else will spot your post who knows about spoons from the Roman era. My advice would be to always examine the piece in real life and focus on the patina and any corroded parts, which may give clues about the age. Flaws can also indicate genuine pieces. Of course, forgeries can be so convincing that they have flaws and a seemingly genuine patina. Thus the best option may be to have a piece certified by an expert.

The market is currently afloat with Roman and other ancient artefacts that are being unearthed illegally by criminal gangs and find their way onto the market. Such treasure hunters destroy important archeological sites and the information stored there. They should not be rewarded. So it's important to ask a dealer to prove that a piece can be traded legally.

Good luck!

Mikael