SPOON 409080

Description: A fragment from the handle of a post-medieval cast lead-alloy (lead-tin) spoon. The fragment is the slightly corroded and abraded handle terminal. The terminal is expanded (W.: 28.3mm), and tapers towards the break (W.: 11.7mm). The lower surface is plain; the upper surface features moulded decoration in low relief. Within the expanded terminal is a pair of facing busts. That on the left faces right, is male, draped and laureate, with the initial 'W' below. That on the right faces left, is female and is draped with corrosion obscuring any headgear; it has the initial 'M' below. The spoon therefore shows King William III and Queen Mary II. Below, on the stem, elaborate curving, foliate decoration emerges from the edges.The field within is covered with very finely punched annulets. This fragment is dated to the late 17th/early 18th-century, contemporary with the reigns of William and Mary, a similar spoon can be found illustrated in Read (1995, 155; ref.: 1047); the male bust can be compared with that on coins of William III (r. 1688-1702 AD). The piece is generally grey in colour with areas that are more silvery or which have corroded to an off-white colour. The sides have started to split slightly.

Date: 1690 - 1710

Object type: SPOON

Last import: August 15, 2017