Fine Antique Silver & Objects of Vertu

No. V136
The Oldest Known English Hallmarked Silver Fiddle Pattern Tablespoon
Made by Isaac Callard
London 1739
Length 7.9" (20cm); Weight 2.88 troy oz (89g)
Price £3,450.00
Notes & Condition Report
This George II sterling silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon made by London silversmith Isaac Callard in 1739
is the oldest known English hallmarked Fiddle pattern tablespoon. It has its original and contemporary cartouche
containing three hunting horns and has excellent hallmarks
This spoon is illustrated in the renowned book
“Silver Flatware, English, Irish and Scottish 1660 – 1980” by Ian Pickford (1983), page 108, figure 137.
With the caption: ‘Fiddle pattern table spoon, London, 1739, Isaac Callard. This is the earliest known example of this pattern.
Notice that the end turns up in the French manner and that it has no shoulders.
It was probably made to replace a lost piece from a French service. Courtesy of Lumley Ltd.’
(See the last image at the bottom of this page)
Since this spoon has definitely be recorded and well know since 1983 and no earlier spoon has come to light
I think it's would be safe to say this spoon is the first English Fiddle pattern tablespoon
The gauge and weight of this spoon is very good and feels lovely in the hand
The condition is wonderful
The date letter has been lightly struck but is easily readable, otherwise it has superb hallmarks
Without damage or repair
A perfect spoon for any collection
Provenance
Reportedly bought for £37 in 1980.
Sold by Thomas Lumley on 21st July 1982 to Mr & Mrs Griffin for £120.
Sold on 24th April 1997 by Phillips Auctioneers, 101 New Bond Street, Lot 81, from the single owner sale
‘The Griffin Collection (Part 1) of Late 17th Century London, Provincial & Scottish Silver Spoons’
for £1,150 plus 15% buyers premium plus vat (£1,352), against an estimate of £250-£350 (bought by Daniel Bexfield).
The sale was reviewed in the antique silver spoon magazine The Finial, June/July 1997, Vol. 7/07, pages 282 – 297,
with comments by Tim Kent “Obviously a great rarity and in good condition, the price was decidedly healthy”
and Walter Brown “One of the stars of the show, and deservedly so in terms of rarity and condition (heavy gauge, good colour, etc.).
To show how prices have come on, I was talking to a friend who said he had bought it in 1980 for £37 – now it went for £1,150+.
To think that in my innocence I had hoped to get it for £400!”
Illustrated in the Antique Collectors Guide, July 1997, page 6
Sold by Daniel Bexfield on 7th August 1997 at the NEC ‘Antiques For Everyone’ Fair to a private collector for £1,800
Illustrated in The Antiques Trade Gazette, 23rd August 1997
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(Silver Flatware, English, Irish and Scottish 1660 – 1980” by Ian Pickford (1983), page 108, figure 137)
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