Description
Sterling Silver Berry Spoons
Set of 4 antique sterling silver berry spoons by Pentecost Symonds of Plymouth c.1740,these were hallmarked in Exeter but show no date letter or Exeter town mark .
The decoration would have been carried out a lot later and well into the Victorian period. Pentecost Symonds makers mark is clearly struck on each spoon, as well as the Exeter crowned leopard head and lion passant.
They come boxed, box will most probably be original from the time the spoons were decorated and not from the time they were first made.
Each measures 210mm in length and are in magnificent condition.
| DATE | c.1740 |
| MAKER or SPONSOR MARK | Pentecost Symonds |
| ASSAY OFFICE | Exeter |
| WEIGHT (Grammes) | 233 |
| WEIGHT (Troy) | 7.49 |
| REF:- | 295E |
Berry Spoons
Spoons with bowl that are embossed to show displays of berries or fruits and are hence, referred to generically as “berry spoons”. In the 17th century, people who could afford them, had their own spoons and would therefore bring them to a meal wherever that was being eaten. Furthermore, the influx of wealth from the colonies led to the expansion of the middle classes and they began to realise that they too could own silver spoons.
In addition, silver spoons were helpful in avoiding poisons as they would tarnish on contact with dangerous compounds. For example sulphur or arsenic. This was very useful in a time when testing for poison wasn’t always possible and food hygiene was unheard of.
