Tablespoon
George Smith III and William Fearn
Category
Silver
Date
1795 - 1796
Materials
Sterling silver, Silver
Measurements
210 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 872312.3.31
Summary
One of two Old English pattern tablespoons, sterling silver, by George Smith III and William Fearn, London, 1795/6. Now part of a composite table and dessert service. Heraldry: Engraved on the front of the terminal is the Parker crest of an erect arm with the hand clasping a stag’s antler for Montagu Edmund Parker (1737-1813) of Whiteway, Devon.
Full description
John, 2nd Lord Boringdon (later 1st Earl of Morley) also obtained tablespoons and other cutlery from Smith and Fearn at this time, perhaps suggesting that uncle and nephew were acquiring from the same retailer. It could equally well be explained by the enormous output of this duo. For further information on the tablespoons by Smith and Fearn see NT 872312.3.2. For further information on the overall service see the master object entry.
Provenance
Montagu Edmund Parker (1737-1813) of Whiteway; by descent to his granddaughter Harriet Parker, Countess of Morley (1809-97); by descent to Montagu Brownlow Parker, 5th Earl of Morley (1878-1962); accepted in lieu of Estate Duty by HM Treasury and transferred to the National Trust in 1957.
Credit line
Saltram, the Morley Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Reverse of terminal: Hallmarks: sterling lion (rubbed), leopard’s head crowned, date letter ‘u' for 1795/6, monarch’s head facing right and maker’s mark G S over WF for George Smith III and William Fearn (Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths (1990), no. 910).
Makers and roles
George Smith III and William Fearn, goldsmith