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Cape Silver Tablespoon - Waldek, John Deas-Thomson, Fortis in Arduis
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Reference: S1111
Period: Victorian
Year: Circa 1850
Silversmith: Fredrik Waldek
Place: Cape
Price: $ 80.00
Weight: 60 grams
Dimensions: 21cm
Condition: Excellent
Description: A very fine Cape tablespoon by a maker who has a reputation of excellent quality, clearly evident in this spoon. Whilst this spoon was made c1850, it is a copy of an earlier 18th century style (Hanoverian with turn up, and the crest on the back of the spoon). The crest is beautiful, a hand holding an elaborate cross and the motto "FORTIS IN ARDUIS", ("Brave in Difficulties"). The hallmarks are very clear, showing makers initials and pseudo English hallmarks. Waldek took over the business of Lawrence Twentyman when he moved to India. Note - A customer and descendant of Lawrence Twentyman has now identified this crest and armorial as the Deas-Thomson family. This spoon probably belonged to John Deas-Thomson (Junior), he arrived in the Cape in 1829 as Clerk of the Check. He also became Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler based in Simonstown, a post he held until 1845 when he was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 14 years transportation to Australia. John married Carolina Francis Stoll in 1831, they had 4 children, 3 of whom died early, including a 10 year old son who died shortly before his conviction. His daughter Elizabeth married Major Theophilus Scott of the 10th Foot in 1865. John's more famous brother Edward Deas Thomson led a distinguished career, ending as Colonial Secretary of NSW in Australia, and receiving a knighthood. The newspapers of the day in 1845 made a huge fuss of the Colonial Secretary's brother arriving as a convict.
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Cape Hanoverian tablespoon
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Crest
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Hallmark
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