I just received a 12 piece silver set from my dear mother. My father of blessed memory purchased it tem years ago and i dont know it’s provenance. Could someone help identify these stamps?
https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/London-WC-WE.html#WC
William Chawner II London 1825.
The marks are, left to right, William’s sponsor mark registered with the Guild, the lion for sterling or .925 silver, an uncrowned leopard mask for the London guild, a lower case k for the date letter of 1825 and the king’s head which is George IV showing duty or tax was paid.
I believe you mean “lion passant” - three paws on the ground. A “lion rampant” is one who is rearing up, in an attack posture.
If I may follow up?
I think the marks you show are on the back of a spoon or large fork handle, probably plain fiddle pattern or possibly threaded and single-side decorated.
By twelve-piece I am hoping you mean 12 each of large and small forks and spoons, plus knives, possibly with later stainless steel blades, and some 12 teaspoons. Also possibly a serving or soup ladle, a couple of gravy ladles and stuffing or large serving spoons. Hopefully all in a contemporary brass bound oak chest lined with baize and lockable.
From the excellent condition of the marks, together with the unpolished state of the displayed silver it looks as if your benefactor managed to keep the butler and his footmen with their polishing rags away from it all. Which, from a conservatory point of view, is a definite plus.
Hopefully you are going to put your own domestic staff to work cleaning it so you and your family can use it to dine off and wow guests lucky enough to get invites.
The English used to use the large spoons, all 9 inches of them, as soup not serving spoons. The primary purpose of this was to see if your guests knew to slurp soup out of the side of them rather than sticking the entire contraption point first in their mouths and narrowly avoided a self-administered tonsillectomy.
This test, along with how to tie a cravat and why you don’t completely button a waistcoat allowed them to develop a class system which they still use today, I am told.
The Americans, having been caught in this trap a few times told their own silversmiths to make a round bowled soup spoon, much like a small ladle with a straight handle, so they could retaliate by inviting the British to dine in New York and and puzzle over what to do with the new invention.
CRWW
Well spotted.Thank you. I have made the correction you suggested. I can never proofread my own stuff.
CRWW