Essex Jewelry and Antiques
c1770-1786 Set 7 Irish Sterling Silver Feathered Edge Spoons by Michael Keating
Regular price
$720.00
Presented is a great set of 7 Irish sterling silver spoons. These spoons were made by Michael Keating and date to circa 1770-1786. The spoons are beautifully hand engraved with a feathered design around the edges of the handles, with a scroll enclosed cartouche on the tips. Each spoon has a crest of a hand holding an axe beneath a crown. The spoons are a little larger than typical teaspoon size, so great for use as place, dessert, or oval soup spoons.
Each spoon is stamped with the seated Hibernia mark for sterling silver, the harp crowned for the city of Dublin, and the maker's mark for Michael Keating. The shape of the harp mark indicates that these spoons date prior to 1786. Michael Keating's maker's mark is seen on pieces as early as 1762, but we believe these spoons date to circa 1770-1786. The marks on some of the spoons are worn and hard to read clearly, so we have photographed the sharpest of the marks.
This set is in great overall condition. The details of the crest and the engraved decoration are nice and crisp. There are a few minor dings to the bowls of the spoons here and there, but nothing of any significance in our opinion. One spoon has an old solder repair to the back of the bowl. There are no other repairs, no splits, and no monogram removals.
Each spoon is about 6 3/8 inches long.
The total weight for the set is 161 grams or 5.7 regular ounces.
-jm