Collecting Base Metal Spoons

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woman and child. It is listed in profusion in probate inventories and virtually every market town was a centre of the I craft. The Pewterers' Company of London, under its royal charters, had I PEWTER THROUGH nationwide powers to control the alloy used and the quality of the wares produced. During the 18th century this THE AGES attractive silvery metal, made from the I tin of Devon and Cornwall, slowly lost ground to tinplate, cheap pottery and 1 by Ronald F. Homer glass . Nevertheless in taverns and public houses its rugged durability ensured its continued use almost into living memory. Only a tiny fraction of what was made has escaped the melting-pot and survived to delight the present-day collector. When pewter was in current use old ware was traded-in to be re-cast in the or five hundred years pewter was second only to cloth among the country's latest fashion, thus depleting the stock of Pprobably the most widely used metal manufactured exports and in the reign of earlier pieces. In more recent years the in England. A vast diversity of objects Charles II some 30,000 tons were in scrap value of the little appreciated base manufactured from it were to be found circulation throughout England. In a metal hastened its disappearance and in homes, taverns and churches from the population then numbering around five many types of antique pewterware are medieval period until the end of the 18th million, this represented a dozen or so now considerably rarer than their silver century. In the 15th century pewter was pieces of pewterware for every man, counterparts, for pewter never had the 'heirloom' cachet of the more precious metal. Pewter dating from before the restor ation of Charles II has always been scarce - folklore has it that it was melted down to provide musket balls during the Civil War. Much of that which survives belonged to churches. The earliest standing pieces which are likely to come the way of the collector are the . finely proportioned church flagons which were used for holding communion wine from 1603. Earlier ecclesiastical pewter, for example chalices, cruets, candlesticks and holy water stoups, was swept into oblivion by the Reformation. Other surviving early pewter is that which was lost, hidden or discarded in antiquity. Spoons, some dating from the 14th century, have been excavated in considerable numbers and large collections, now dispersed, were put together many years ago. It is only in the last decade or so that other examples of medieval pewter have become available in significant numbers. Many have come from the Thames foreshore in London, discovered with the aid of sophisticated metal detectors. Mostly, these are small items, pilgrim badges . and ampullae collected as souvenirs by the medieval pilgrim from shrines up and down the country, finger rings and dress ornaments, and retainers ' badges showing allegiance to one or other of the noble households of the period (figure 1). Pewter tokens passed for a small fraction of a silver penny when that coin represented a day's wages and was inconveniently large for small purchases. River-beds have however, in recent years, disgorged a few major examples of the medieval Figure 1. (Clockwise from top left): Pilgrim's badge of the Virgin in a crescent; pewterer's craft; a 14th century fl agon retainer's badge ofa gorged falcon ; tiny bell - probably from a necklace; holy water from Tonbridge, a 15th century baluster ampulla; all 14th century. measure from London, and a not incon-

48 siderable number of plates, saucers and dishes. Small medieval items can be acquired for a few tens of pounds upwards, but major ones may command many thousands. Those whose interests lie in these early pieces should move quickly to acquire them, for the supply is diminishing fast as accessible deposits become exhausted. The more traditional area of pewter collecting, the period from the mid-17th century through the 18th century, provides a wealth of items for the collector. Virtually everything that was made in silver was also made in pewter, and in addition pewter provided a range of tavern wares which have no silver counterparts. The commonest domestic items are plates and dishes. The finely proportioned broad-rimmed dishes of the last half of the 17th century are costly, from several hundred to several thousand pounds depending on size and condition, but late 17th century multiple reeded plates and dishes may be Figure 2. (Left to right): Stuart flat-lid tankard, c.1690; a dome-lid of c.1760 and obtained for £100-£200. Examples with another of c.1730. Behind is a broad-rimmed dish of c.1670. single reeded rims from the first half of the 18th century, and the plain rimmed style which lasted into the 19th century may be found for £20-£30 upwards, again depending on size and condition. Surely no other items of 200-300 year old metalwork can be obtained for so little outlay. Among hollow-ware the most sought after items are flat-lidded tankards, made from circa 1650 until the close of Figure 3. A the century in styles which closely copy scarce capstan silver. A good example will fetch well salt c.1690, into four figures. For those with more £400-£500, and a slender resources, the 18th century offers rare pint tavern a diversity of dome-lidded examples pot with a single obtainable for three figure sums (figure fillet high on the 2). 17th and early 18th century unlidded drum, c.1710-20, tavern pots, of which one is illustrated in £1,000+. figure 3, are also much prized by collectors and are correspondingly

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Figure 4. Baluster wine measures. On the left, two with 'hammerhead' thumbpieces and on the right two with 'bud'thumbpieces. All mid- to late 17th century. £200-£1,000+ depending on size and date. 49 Figure 5. Left, a flagon of c.1610, £2,000-£3,000, and right, one of c.1750, £450.

fraction of that sum (figure 5). Space permits only passing mention of numerous other 17th and 18th century pieces which provide variety and interest to a collection. Porringers with a range of decorative ears, footed plates, two-handled loving cups, castors and salts in many styles are all available to the diligent searcher. Those with deep pockets may aspire to own the rarest items of all - 17th century pewter candlesticks. Those which survived the perils of melting through injudicious heating to remove old wax were dis carded when cheap brass arrived to provide a more practical alternative. Some are shown in figure 6. English pewter is usually undecorated and relies for its appeal on its pleasing styling and proportions. However, for a period between about 1660 and 1720 plates and tankards were adorned with naive wriggle-worked designs. This zig expensive. Those from 50 to 100 years Church flagons, which in the absence zag engraving was done by rocking a later are commoner and not readily of identifying inscriptions are often narrow-bladed chisel over the surface. distinguished by the un specialised dealer indistinguishable from domestic examples, Some, like that shown in figure 7, were from later Victorian examples, The are commoner than might be expected. made as coronation souvenirs and bear knowledgeable collector may well find Even so, early 17th century examples portraits of William III sometimes bargains in this field. Unique to pewter may fetch several thousand pounds, but accomp'anied by his Queen. There is are the baluster-shaped wine measures the tall skirted examples of the mid-18th some affinity with the designs found on seen in figure 4 and made from the 15th century, with knopped, domed lids, Staffordshire slipware of the period and century until circa 1800 in sizes from which provide very handsome additions this is perhaps an example of the half a gill to a gallon. to any collection, will cost only a pewterer attempting to compete with the

_ n ,,_____ ..... ___" .... __...... :. __".. '. ,','" ': ' "...... ,,',_ ' 1;,-,' -!...U...i,,:~l:...._;!.. .J' • __ ' ... . ~ , ...: • .' ..... ~ ... ,','-':., ' .. -L."'~ ...... ,.' .. ('r : >1;,: '~'_'~": "" '.:"~I_~~·.'. I: " ~_.,::r, ,: ';L,.:j~ . Figure 6. A group of late 17th century candlesticks. Such a group would cost over £10,000 to assemble today.

50 . .1 potters who were eroding his market. The 19th century has been much neglected until recently. Although the fine domestic pieces were no longer made, a range of pub pots and measures in many forms can be assembled for little cost and locally made items can form the basis of an interesting study of the later provincial makers. Candlesticks of the period are quite common, unlike the earlier examples, and a variety of other items is available for little outlay (figure 8). Although much pewter bears a maker's mark, the same mark was normally used throughout a craftsman's working life which might have extended for 40 years or more. Close dating is . therefore sometimes difficult. The thousands of Figure 7. A marks recorded in Cotterell's Old wriggle-worked Pewter, its Makers and Marks have been plate with much added to in recent years, particularly portraits of in the identification of many provincial William and pewterers (see for example Provincial Mary, c.1688. Pewterers by the present author in collaboration with David Hall). To the on-Stour, Evesham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Those seeking further information long recognised major provincial centres Burford and Witney, clustered around should take the unique opportunity to such as Bewdley, Birmingham, Bristol, the rich wool-raising Cotswolds, visit the comprehensive exhibition of York and Wig an (to say nothing of the boasted their pewterers and only now is English pewter to be seen at the Museum Scottish cities whose wares are outside the all-pervasive nature of this ancient of London until 6th May 1990. The fine the scope of this article), can now be craft being fully recognised. The work catalogue accompanying it, Pewter, A added Worcester, Gloucester, Shrewsbury, of an increasing number of these Celebration of the Craft, 1200-1700, Walsall and many other ancient towns. provincial craftsmen is being identified provides an excellent reference work for Even rural towns, for example Shipston- and deserves further study. beginner and expert alike. h"

Figure 8. A group of late 18th and 19th century pieces. A plain rimmed plate c.1750; a quart tavern pot c.1830; a candlestick c.1830; a jelly mould of the mid-19th century and (in front) two salts of c.1780-1830. Such pieces are typically obtainable at £10-£50 each.

51 Figure 2. Latten spoons (from left to right): 14th century spoon with cut knop, 5in., £1"86. 14th century spoon with deep mandolin bowl, wrythen stem and cut and filed knop, probably German, 9in., £440. Low Countries 15th century spoon with flattened tapering stem having chased decoration, and crossover fleur de lys maker's mark, 5in., £275. 15th century spoon with flattened stem and wry then knop , probably Flemish, 8in. , £220. 13th century spoon with leaf bowl and proto-acorn knop, 6in ., £175. (All sold November 1988).

Collecting Figure 1. An early pewter spoon, c.1300, 7in. The leaf-shaped bowl is Base Metal Spoons typical of the period but the animal head at the junction of the stem and bowl is unique in pewter spoons. by Paul Davidson Phillips

here are few fields of antique collecting pewter from the 13th century to the early spoons, mainly in the 16th century. Twhere it is possible to acquire a 19th century, although the majority of Although latten is a more durable representative range of examples from known latten examples are from no later material than pewter, the surface had to the 14th century to the 18th century for than the 17th century. The majority of be tinned so as not to taint food, and it a relatively modest outlay. Base metal ~ surviving base metal spoons from the could not be readily melted down and re spoons is one such area and although · 15th century onwards are of pewter, cast as pewter could. examples from the late medieval period probably due to the burgeoning strength In the 13th and early 14th century base are rare they do appear at auction or are and influence of the Pewterers' Guilds. metal spoons tended to have a relatively available from specialist dealers at Except in the very early period there are flat leaf-shaped bowl ending in a point. intervals. close similarities between the designs of The stem was either of round or The base metal spoons which were latten and pewter spoons, both of which hexagonal section and pewter examples made during this period are either in appear to have followed or been influenced often have a mid-stem knop, and wire pewter or latten. Latten is a term used to by the main silver forms. An interesting support, for strengthening. Some latten describe finished articles in brass from phenomenon rarely found in other metal examples had flat stems, which was pre-1700 and its meaning is synonymous work is the combination of brass and feasible because of the greater strength with brass. There are extant examples in pewter to form latten knopped pewter of the metal. The pewter spoon in figure 1

52 ..,. Figure 4. (Left): A pewter spoon with fig-shaped bowl and diamond point, c.1500, 5*1in . , £231. (Right): A pewter spoon with leaf bowl and central knop to the stem (wire reinforced), c.1300, 6~in., £528.

almost universally adopted for pewter and latten spoons from the 15th century to the middle of the 17th century. The main variation is in the form of the knops. As mentioned above, the ball knop is found on very early pewter examples whereas variations of acorn knops are seen on early latten spoons, as are cut and filed knops which, at their most pronounced, resemble a tower and steeple. Another form of knop which is known on early silver spoons is the diamond point which in pewter dates from the middle of the 15th century for about a hundred years (see spoon on left in figure 4). For many collectors of early base metal spoons, as with silver, those with figural knops are the most desirable. Figure 7 illustrates 15th and 16th century pewter spoons with such knops . The alderman knop is the only example known and the male bust

i ! appears to be wearing a chain of office. More common is the maidenhead knop, Figure 3. 14th or 15th century pewter mainly found in pewter from about 1450- pilgrim spoon, 4in. 1600, although there are also Continental .1 -: latten examples. Another version is the homed head-dress which is rarer, and, is the earliest recorded example and with one exception, found only in unique in pewter because of the animal pewter. The so-called monk's head knop head at the junction of stem and bowl, depicts a bust wearing a cowl, and is although this feature has been noted on more likely to represent a nun. The a few early silver and latten spoons. Museum of London has a unique example Early knops on pewter spoons include of a jester head knop spoon dating from the ball and the acorn, although the ball the 15th century (currently on view in its knop is known on latten spoons of this Pewter Exhibition). Examples of lion time, most of which have either a finial sejant knops are known in both pewter (tower and steeple) or acorn knop, often and latten, and one shown here (figure cut with a file. It seems likely that the 7, second from left) is unusual in that it • 'l..:., .J ;. latten spoons from this period found in is facing sideways rather than to the this country had originally been front (see also figure 7). Terminals in imported from France or other parts of the form of apostle figures are rarer in Continental Europe since there is little base metal than they are in silver, and evidence of a brass industry in England full sets are unknown. They are found at the time. both in pewter and latten, although the Apart from the leaf-shaped bowl, latter are more common. Other rare circular bowled spoons in both latten knops found on pewter spoons include a and pewter have been found in London cockerel, and variants of human heads. and attributed to the 14th century. There A difficulty in identifying the specific are also oval and mandolin-shaped nature of knops, particularly figural bowls found on spoons of this period but examples on early spoons is that the by the 15th century a deeper fig-shaped detail is often rubbed or worn, either bowl had become fairly uniform. through wear or through having been Figure 3 shows a pewter spoon of buried for hundreds of years. It seems small size (4in.) more akin in form to a likely that due to crude casting techniques pilgrim badge than to a domestic pewter many base metal spoons may not have Figure 5. 15th century pewter spoon spoon (between 6in. and 7in.). The cast been crisply detailed from new, and this with fluted ball knop, 5 ~in . , £242. inscription 'JESUS NAZARENUS' has led to variations in classification of suggests a devotional rather than knops, particularly pre-1600. to date from the early 16th century and functional purpose, and the decoration There are a number of non-figural is found in latten and pewter, and there on the bowl would not have survived knops found in fig-shaped bowl spoons. are also examples in latten on pewter long in regular usage. One of the more desirable is the horse's stems. Although 13th and 14th century The curved fig-shaped bowl was hoof knop. The wrythen ball knop appears ball knops tended to be plain, later

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Figure 7. Pewter spoons (from left to right): 16th century spoon with alderman knop, the bowl with eR touchmark, 6in. 15th century spoon, the wire reinforced stem with Figure 6. 17th century latten spoon, the lion sejant knop, 6in. An early 16th century spoon with maidenhead knop, M~in. An . bowl with IW touchmark, the stem with early 16th century spoon with monk's head knop, 6~in . An early 15th century spoon lion sejant knop, 7in., £286. with horned head-dress knop, 6~in . variants include those with chequered decoration known as peachstone, and the fluted ball (see figure 5) . The strawberry knop is found in latten (see figure 9) more commonly than pewter. The most common type of knop on 16th and 17th century spoons is the seal-top dating mostly from 1550 to 1650, and also frequently found on pewter spoons. Some examples have a baluster beneath the seal (see figure 8), the ball of which is often fluted. Derivatives are the baluster knop which is similar but with a projecting finial, and the melon knop, found only in pewter, which is similar to a fluted ball seal knop, without the seal. Two simple terminals found only in pewter are the hexagonal, a faceted knop, and the stump end which has a substantial stem truncated at the end. The slip-top spoon occurs widely in pewter and is also found in latten, being produced from about 1500 to 1700 (see figure 8). During the 17th century the shape of pewter and latten spoons changed con siderably, in line with the evolvement of silver spoons. The Puritan spoon evolved from the slip-top, the bowl becoming more egg-shaped, the stem hammered Figure 8. Latten spoons (from left to right); Slip-top, c.1600, 6~in. (seeded rose flat towards the end. The next step was 'touch '). Slip-top, c. 1620, 6~in. (Tudor rose 'touch '). Slip-top, c.1600, M~in. (fleur for the stem to become wider, flatter and de lys 'touch '). Slip-top, c.1550, M~in. (maker's 'touch' 1W). Baluster seal-top, more rounded while the junction of stem c.1600, 6in. (fleur de lys with crown 'touch'). Baluster seal-top, c.1570, 6!4in. and bowl was continued by a rat-tail on (maker's 'touch' 1G). Baluster seal-top, c.1570, 6in . (rubbed touch). Latten spoons the back of the bowl. From this evolved of this period are usually clearly marked. the trefid or 'pied de biche' spoon, where the hammered end is notched on until the end of the 17th century, and popular. Figure 10 depicts such an either side of a central node and the largely superseded the Puritan type example and others were produced to almost oval bowl is strengthened by the which had emerged circa 1640. By 1700 commemorate the coronation of William rat-tail on the reverse. Such spoons were few latten spoons were being produced and Mary. Commemorative spoons were commonplace from the Restoration period but decorated pewter spoons had become also produced to celebrate the coronation

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Base metal spoons from about 1500 often bear a maker's stamp in the bowl. Hilton Price made a comprehensive study and listing of such marks and there are some records of pewter spoonmakers, particularly after the first touchplate of the Pewterers' Company. Certain makers produced different designs and this is helpful in comparative dating of different types of knop. Trefid spoons frequently bear an owner's touchmark, or 'touch', on the front of the stem end and such spoons tend to bear maker's marks on the reverse of the stem (see figure 9, middle) . There are several factors which can determine the value of base metal spoons. Above all, a collector who desires a particularly rare example might pay sub stantially more than the logical market price. Most surviving pre-17th century base metal spoons have been excavated, as have many later examples, since, unlike silver spoons, they would not have been considered worthy of safe keeping. Relative condition is of course still a determinant of value but rarity can override this. The early pewter spoon on Figure 9. Latten spoons (from left to right): A mid-17th century spoon with strawberry the right in figure 4 was recently sold for knop, 7in. A seal-top spoon, c.1560, 6Y-iin. (compare the knop with the baluster seal £528 despite its twisted stem and pierced tops infigure 8). A latten trefid spoon, c.1680, 7in. (note owner's triad on the top) . bowl. A latten spoon of similar age in A latten Puritan spoon with cleft terminal, c.1670, 63j,in. A latten trefid spoon, better condition (figure 2, right) only c.1680, 7~in. (note the evolvement of the top from the previous example). realised £175 . In this case the greater general iriterest by collectors in pewter rather than latten spoons may also have been a determinant. Pre fig-shaped bowl spoons are so rare that it is difficult to generalise about values. The rarest early pewter spoons in good condition could be worth a four figure sum. The rarer knops of fig-shaped pewter spoons, such as maidenheads, are worth between £300 and £500 depending on condition, whereas examples of ball knops and diamond point knops in reasonable condition have recently sold for between £200 and £250. A 1atten seal knop pewter spoon recently fetched £330 at auction. Latten seal-top spoons from the 16th and 17th century can be obtained for about £120-£150 whereas a lion sejant knop spoon of the same period from the Franklin collection fetched £300. Plain slip-top spoons should cost no more than £100 and Puritan spoons and plain trefids should be available for around £50. However, decorated trefid and dog-nose pewter spoons with royal portraits are likely to cost between £200 and £400 depending on condition. Figure 10. Decorated pewter trefid Figure 11. 18th century bronze spoon On an investment note, the spoon spoon, c.1680. mould, 8in. illustrated in figure 2 far right had realised £132 in October 1981, the of Queen Anne, some having lace shows a bronze mould for the casting of increase of £40 suggesting that this is work decoration around the rat-tail. round end spoons in the 18th century not a field for the speculative investor. The tradition was continued at the time and the rat-tail for the bowl is clearly h, of the marriage of George III and Queen visible. This was the last stage in the Bibliography Charlotte. evolvement of pewter spoons and, as Homer, R.F., Five Centuries of Base During the early part of the 18th century pewter was generally superseded by other Metal Spoons, published privately, the bowl became more elongated and the materials, marks the end of collectors' 1975 . terminal evolved to a wavy-end or dog interest, with the exception of the com Hilton Price, F.G., Old Base Metal nose, and later a rounded end. Figure 11 memorative spoons referred to above. Spoons, Batsford, 1908.