Exeter provincial maker?

[zeplinater]

Hello

Just looking for clarification on the maker of my recent purchase. A silver Trefid spoon marked TF x3. I think it could be Thomas Furlong but I don't have the West Country book to confirm. Thanks all.

[silvermakersmarks]

Miles Harrison's book, Exeter & West Country Silver 1700-1900, has an entry on Thomas Furlong. Exeter started to use the new Britannia standard in 1701 with Furlong's mark being FV, so your spoon (assuming it is by Furlong) must date from 1698, when he was granted permission to open a shop in the Cathedral Close, to 1701. However Miles's and Jackson's illustrations both show Furlong's post-1720 mark and are not clear enough to confirm that they are same as your TF.

My conclusion is that your spoon is almost certainly by Thomas Furlong but I can't be 100% sure.

Phil

[dognose]

Timothy Kent's 'West Country Spoons and Their Makers 1550-1750' referring to Thomas Furlong, states "His pre-1701 mark, noted on a trefid is likely to be TF in a shaped rectangle."

Trev.

[zeplinater]

Phil and trev, thankyou very much for your insights/replies.