Cliff Nunn - Antique Silver and Decorative Arts
18th C. Coin Tspn w/Mk Attributed to Wilson Dalzell of Charleston, SC
NFS
For your consideration is an interesting late 18th Century style American coin silver spoon, marked "W (pellet) D". This mark has been attributed by Catherine Hollan to Wilson Dalzell (mark B) in her book on South Carolina silversmiths.
This spoon measures about 4 15/16 inches in length and weighs about 8 grams. The light weight, unusual shell-back decoration, small bowl size, mark and engraving to the handle indicate to me that it is probably American, but I don't know for sure that it is by Dalzell. Given that Dalzell died in 1781, it seems like this style spoon would be about 10-15 years too late, but nonetheless this mark has only been attributed to Dalzell thus far. All in all a nice piece!