Birdback serving spoon by James Black, Phila.

Oval-end handle, c1800 -- feathered script mono T H C on front; 8-1/2" long. This spoon is also marked IWG for John Ward Gethen, also of Philly, which presents a bit of a puzzle. Both Black and Gethen were silversmiths, the first starting his career in 1795, the latter in 1811. It could be that Gethen added the piece to his inventory and sold it out of his shop. The spoon is in excellent condition, the extended bowl tip unworn. The bird is lightly struck, but all of its parts seem to be intact.