www.925-1000.com

Hello,
I am new to this forum so I hope I do this correctly.

This ladle measures 7" long with a bowl that is approximately 2 3/4" across. At the top of the handle it is marked (engraved or stamped not sure which) with a set of arms shooting a bow and arrow upward. Above that it is marked Fortuna Sequatur in what looks like a banner. I can include a picture of this if necessary but wanted to abide by the rules of two pictures only.

This ladel has five impressed hallmarks.

The first (as per the picture below) is an image of a man that looks a lot like Ben Franklin. It closely resembles the Duty Mark # 2 dated 1786-1821.

The second mark is a capital U. The U has a crossed top on the left side only. It appears to resemble the 1823 mark on the Sheffield page.

The third mark was probably the easiest for me to recognize. It is that of a lion with one paw raised and represents Sterling .925.

Now comes the hard one... This may be the maker's mark and even though I couldn't capture it in my photos it appears that maybe it is four letters , two on top of the other two. They look like WB over WF but honestly I can't be sure.

The final emblem appears to be an inverted C.

Any information in identifying this piece with the maker and approximate age would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, welcome to the forum. I believe your nice ladle is marked for London (town mark missing), 1815-16, makers Wm. Eley and Wm. Fearn (WE over WF).

SS

I've just added their mark to the London Makers section, it is a bit, but not much clearer than yours. Hope it helps.
Tom

http://www.925-1000.com/dlLondon6.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I forgot to mention, the final mark you mention as an "inverted C" (or perhaps a "U" or crescent or whatever) is most likely a tally mark, that is, a mark left by a journeyman worker so as to be properly credited with the manufacture of the ladle. About this time in Britain, there was much consolidation of silver flatware making, with fewer and fewer independent silversmiths, and more large and more mechanized companies with multiple employees. Eley and Fearn (later Eley, Fearn and Chawner, WE over WF over WC)) were prolific makers with likely numerous workers (I don't have the figures, maybe someone with greater knowledge might amplify).

SS

Hi,

Using the Duty Mark, it is possible to be more precise on the date of the ladle. In conjunction with the 1815/16 Date Letter "U" there were three possible outlines to the Duty Mark, the first, used up until 13th June 1815 was circular, the second, circular but with a cusp at the base was used 14th June 1815 until 31st August 1815 and finally your example with a flat base from 1st September 1815 until 28th May 1816.
The changes in shape to the cartouche reflect the increase of Duty on silver, this was important, as if the piece was exported the Duty could be claimed back and a check on the outline would ensure the correct refund.

Trev.

Hello,
Thank you so much for the detailed information. You folks have been terrific and extremely fast with your replies.

This was my first experience with this forum and I can honestly say it was quite pleasant.

Thank you again!
db2937