2 Likes
The combination of individual marks shows that this cannot be English (or British) silver. What may be intended to look like an uncrowned leopard’s head (a London mark) would never appear with a crown (a Sheffield mark). I suspect either American coin silver or electroplate. Please clean out the marks so that we can see them properly and then re-post a clear picture.
The motto “Free for a Blast” has, according to Fairbairn’s Crests, been used by families named Clark, Clerk, Clerke, Pennycock, Pennycoock, Pennycuick and Rattray.
2 Likes
Paul, isn’t it scottish?
Dame Mary Dacre or Clark, The White Rose of Scotland by W.A.J. Prevost. - The High Council of Clan Macdonald
Clerk Family Crest and Coat of Arms : MyFamilySilver.com
Antique Hallmarked Sterling Silver Victorian Fiddle Pattern Salt Spoon 1838 : MyFamilySilver.com
1 Like
It’s not a Scottish hallmark. Maybe it will be clearer when the gunk is removed from the marks.
1 Like
Delightful silver/silver-plated egg or mustard spoon made for the Clerks of Penicuik, Scottish landowners and baronets who have held the Penicuik estate in Midlothian since 1654. Renowned for managing a significant 18th-century designed landscape, the family is associated with figures like Sir John Clerk,1676–1755, a notable judge, architect, and composer.
The family acquired the estate in 1654 when Clerk, a 17th-century merchant from Montrose established the family seat, and subsequently built an 18th-century mansion largely destroyed by fire in 1899, leaving a famous, picturesque ruin.
The second Baronet, his son, was prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, a member of the Union Parliament, a Baron of the Exchequer, and an accomplished architect and musician.The family is also linked to the famous physicist James Clerk Maxwell.
This crest of a demi-man holding a hunting horn, with the motto “Free for a blast”. is a pleasant pun on the need to go to a high place and blow a bugle once a year or when the king visited to retain the estate.
The family continues to supply the UK with appellate court judges. A school chum of mine had an uncle who was one of the modern contribution and I used to bike with him to tea and listen to the judge discuss his job.
While there are seven post federal US silversmiths with the initials IM or JM none of them admits to using this faux British hallmark or trademark. It is difficult to make a case for a 19th century Midlothian family trundling off to Boston or Philadelphia to buy their plate which is where most of the American JM or IM silversmiths seem to have located.
CRWW
1 Like
George Edward Clerk, born in Penicuik emigrated to Quebec and married a Quebecois lady. He had a son, Charles Francois Clerk born 1851 in Quebec City. So this may have been his spoon.
2 Likes
Probably John Munro, St John, NB, Canada working 1819-1874.
Here’s one example of a faux hallmark of his.
Here’s another:
There are other variations, I am away from my records in Toronto, but I may have it there.
CRWW
2 Likes