Silver trefid spoon could shine in Derbyshire sale

A beautiful and rare Charles II silver lace-back Trefid spoon has recently been consigned to Hansons Auctioneers Etwall in Derbyshire, through their weekly silver valuation appointments, and will be featured in the upcoming Fine Art Auction. 

The spoon, with its traditional “Trefid” terminal and the distinctive rat-tail design, immediately caught the eye of silver valuer, Daniel Armstrong, whilst assessing the vendor’s silver collection. Upon closer inspection, Daniel noticed a unique intertwined maker’s mark, “WR.” After some diligent research, he discovered that this mark belonged to William Rowe, a silversmith from Liskeard, Cornwall. This intriguing find suggests that the spoon is likely made from Cornish silver mined locally, dating back to around 1680-90. 

Elegantly decorated with foliage on both the terminal and back of the bowl – earning it the ‘lace-back’ nickname – the spoon is further enriched by an engraving on the back of the terminal. The initials “RM RM” date back to 1737, indicating a personal connection to the piece. The spoon also shows signs of age, with two old repairs to the bowl, adding to its character and historical charm. 

History of trefid spoons

The history of the Trefid spoon itself is equally fascinating. Originally from France, the Trefid – known as “Pied de Biche,” meaning ‘Deer’s foot’ – caught the attention of Charles II during his time at the French court. It was through him that the Trefid spoon was introduced to Britain in 1660. Known as the “French Fashion Spoon,” its popularity quickly spread across the UK. In fact, many people took their old spoons to silversmiths to be melted down and reworked into the new Trefid style, if they could afford to do so. 

Over time, the Trefid spoon evolved, influenced by various styles, including the Romans. The “V” shape of Roman spoons, which appeared around 350 AD, is thought to have inspired the development of the rat-tail pattern seen in later spoons. This practical feature was added to strengthen the junction between the stem and the bowl, but it also became an attractive design element in its own right. 

This scarce example will be offered in Hansons’ Fine Art Auction on March 27 with an estimate of £400–600.