LISKEARD. A very rare seventeenth century laceback trefid spoon made by William Rowe of Liskeard circa 1680-90.

LISKEARD. A very rare seventeenth century laceback trefid spoon made by William Rowe of Liskeard circa 1680-90.

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The Spoon is modelled in the Trefid design.  The reverse of the bowl is decorated with a central reeded rat tail, surrounded by very fine lace work designs including flowing scrolls and bead work.  The front of the stem is also decorated with similar designs which are very provincial in their execution.  The lacework is in quite excellent condition and has very little wear.  The stem is very well marked, several times, with the maker's mark of WR within a shield.  This piece is in quite excellent condition, with a good colour.

This spoon originally surfaced in 1982 and was one from a set of six which had been in the possession of the ancient Cornish family of Treffry of Place, since they were made.  The authority on West Country Spoons, the Late Timothy Kent, researched the mark some thirty years ago and found this maker's mark also on a communion cup of the period in Liskeard circa 1680.  The cup bears the name of Emmanuel Piper who was Mayor of Liskeard around this date.  There are numerous documentary references to him.  William Rowe was buried at Liskeard on May 3rd 1690 and his estate was administered in the Diocesan court at that time.

Length: 7.45 inches.

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