Very Rare 18th Cent. Georgian Bright Cut Miniature or Toy or Snuff Spn
Offered is a rare, early and splendid George III English sterling silver toy spoon or miniature spoon (or possibly a snuff spoon), hallmarked for London, 1791 but without a maker's mark that I can discern. Often such miniature spoons were not fully marked, and were entirely unmarked in some cases. These piece is delightfully decorated with a swaged rococo scroll to the back of the bowl, and is fully engraved in the latest style to the front. This spoon measures about 3 1/8 inches in length and weighs 4 grams or so. It is pictured here with a quarter for scale. This piece could have been used as a salt spoon or a snuff spoon, but is much more likely to have been made for a child to use as a toy. It is in very good condition overall, with only modest wear and no dents, splits or repairs. There is no monogram or armorial, and no sign of erasure. All in all a fine and rare example!