PICTURE-BACK TEASPOON, circa 1760's

PICTURE-BACK TEA SPOON, circa 1760’s London sterling; length 4-1/2”, with Hanoverian handle, monogram of original owner : “M R”.

Struck with lion passant and rare unregistered -- but documented -- maker mark (Grimwade # 3594) “G” over “R I” in tombstone-shape frame...an unregistered mark believed to be for

Richard and Joseph Gosling, spoonmakers ...Cornhill (p 256) documented in the 1773 Parliamentary Report list (p 526); probably the sons of silversmith Richard Gosling.

Their father, some 25 years before, was “tried and convicted...for counterfeiting marks and fined 100 pounds (according to London court minutes 5 August 1742).

This type of spoon was typically a high style accessory for the fashionable serving of tea.
The bowl is decorated with a rococo ornament.

# 8038 a ......................................SOLD