Rosette Teaspoons

[SilverSurfer]

I acquired two Old English Pattern, feather edge bright cut small teaspoons, 12.7 cm length, that caught my attention due to their peculiar shape, including a pie crust crimping around the bowl rims, and a rosette on the top of the bowl-stem junction. Full length photo:



The crimping appears to be original and not a Victorian "improvement". Likewise the rosettes are integral to the stem and not soldered on. From the stem underside they appear as rounded, chamfered edge shoulders more typical of spoons 50 or so years later. The spoons are bottom marked, hence pre-1781, with only the lion passant and maker's mark, as typical for small items of the time. Photos of marks:





Though squashed, together the stamps appear to portray a maker's mark of "P<pellet>R". I can find no such mark in my Jackson's III. There are three possible "R<pellet>R" marks, Robt. Rew and Rich. Rugg, both entered 1754, also Rich. Richardson of Chester (1739-69), but the second, more squased, mark shows the bottom of the leading character more clearly, and no R tail is to be seen. Other possible readings of BR and DR yield no appropriate silversmiths that I can find.

Interestingly, the spoons have differing monograms, one with "MMcT" on the top, the other with "M" over "RA" on the bottom.

Might anyone recognize this work and be able to identify the maker? TIA for any assistance!

SS
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[webster]

This is Philip Roker II (or maybe III), London c.1775.
The Roker family specialised in fancy spoons in different forms.
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[SilverSurfer]

Webster, might you have a pic or reference that shows a P. Roker mark that matches mine (rectangular shield and pellet)? My references show only a conjoined double oval shield and no pellet. Thanks!
SS
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[Waylander]

SilverSurfer, I agree with you - none of my references should this particular mark (although Roker III would be the prime suspect).

Webster, do you have access to a copy of Grimwade’s London Goldsmiths 1697-1837?

Cheers

Waylander
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[SilverSurfer]

In confirmation of webster's earlier attribution, I was recently advised by a very prestigious silver dealer in England that these spoons were indeed formed by the noted spoonmaker Philip Roker II, though no printed reference of the mark was indicated. However, aware of this dealer's knowledge and reputation, particularly with regards to flatware, I have little reason left to doubt this attribution. Thank you, webster, for pointing this out in the first place, good show! Might there be any written reference re this particular mark? I am not doubting the attribution, but would just like to see whether this particular mark has been noted elsewhere. TIA!

SS
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