A James I silver seal-top spoon, William Frend, London, 1618

Property of a descendant of William Beckford & The Dukes of Hamilton
A James I silver seal-top spoon, William Frend, London, 1618

the finial initialed RVS and dated 1617; together with two further seal-top examples, including: one, maker's mark 'GB', Exeter, circa 1630; finial stippled IB, back of bowl initialed SB/EM 1635; the other probably William Limpanny, (London), circa 1610, all with fig-shaped bowls (3)
16cm and 17.5cm long; 6in and 7in
140gr, 4oz 10dwt gross

Condition Report:
1618 example with worn leading edge to bowl, some wear to finial but stippling still readable, good marks; Exeter example with minor bruising to bowl, stippling pretty clear, gilding still nice, marks clear, generally good; Limpanny example, minor dents and small split to bowl, otherwise ok, maker's mark only, clear mark.

Provenance:
It is likely that these spoons were in the Hamilton Collection before Lady Mary Louise (1884-1957), heir of William Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton, who married in 1906 James Graham (1878-1954), Marquis of Graham, who in 1925 succeeded his father as 6th Duke of Montrose;
Thence by descent.