Limited edition set of sterling silver apostle spoons
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- Marrow Spoon - A spoon with a long handle and a narrow scoop shaped bowl, used to scoop and eat marrow from the hollow centre of roasted bones. Some marrow scoops are double ended with a different shaped bowl at each end.
- Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, and is relatively soft and the addition of the very small amount of copper gives the metal enough strength and hardness to be worked into jewellery, decorative and household objects.
- Hallmarks - A mark stamped on articles of precious metals in Britain, since the 14th century, certifying their purity. It derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay (test the purity) and mark articles of gold and silver.
The hallmark will consist of several marks, including the:
- silver standard mark, indicating the purity of the metal. Sterling silver is .925 pure silver.
- the city mark indicating the city in which it was assayed eg London, Birmingham, York etc.
- the date mark, usually a letter of the alphabet in a particular font and case,
- a duty mark, indicating whether duty had been paid to the crown, and only in use from 1784 to 1890
The piece may include an additional mark, the maker's mark, although not forming part of the hallmark, will be located in the vicinity of the hallmarks.
Sometimes silver plated items will bear faux hallmarks, often confusing those not familiar with silver markings.
Visually similar items
English hallmarked sterling silver Elizabeth II apostle spoons totalling thirteen, in a mahogany case. Birmingham, 1977, Birmingham mint. Condition good, minor tarnishing. Weight 442g
The apostle spoons: set of 13 sterling silver spoons in presentation box issued by the Birmingham mint c1977. 440 grams total. Excellent condition
Apostle spoon collection. Thirteen sterling silver in timber case Birmingham 1976
Tasmanian sterling silver boxed set of six demitasse coffee spoons all with mid-twisted stems, with hand beaten bowls, marked 'Sargison Stg'. Set in original silk & velvet lined case. Hobart, maker Sargisons, length 10.5 cm, weight 43g