SPOON

A complete Post Medieval (probably 1600-1700) copper alloy (latten) tinned spoon with a 'seal top' knopped end. It measures 174mm in length with a max.thickness of 43.14mm across the fig-shaped bowl and the spoon weighs 21.39g. The spoon is worn and much of the original patina is lost.

The edges of the bowl are a little damaged. The stem, which is rectangular in cross-section, has a V-shaped triangular support where it joins the bowl on the reverse. Stamped on the inside surface of the bowl is a circular makers mark of three spoons arranged stem-bowl-stem within a beaded border.

The stem measures 6.77x2.72mm where it joins the bowl and narrows to 4.53x2.66mm just below the terminal. The terminal has a flat circular disc (seal) as the far end which is plain on its upper face and has a diameter of 11.03mm. Beneath the disc, integral circular sectioned elements are arranged collar, baluster, collar.

In "Material Culture in London in an Age of Transition", Egan notes that the Pewterers Guild had since at least the 1560's actively worked against manufacture of spoons in copper alloy (2005, p.117). But by the late 17th century this monopoly may have been seriously eroded, as copper alloy spoons have been excavated in London within late 17th century contexts (ibid.). Such spoons include flat stemmed types with fig shaped bowls and a makers mark near to the stem. Egan (ibid) illustrates pewter spoons with makers mark of similar form but not identical to this (ie initials flanking two spoons) (p119-121, no.582 and 586) from later 17th to 18th century contexts. We have no information about latten spoon makers and their marks remain enigmatic. Spoons were tinned to prevent the bronze in the copper alloy tainting the food. (Hazel Forsyth pers.comm.)