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Rare Antique Solid Gold 9 Carat Teaspoon - Griffin's Head and Coronet, B.H. Joseph & Co.
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Reference: S11206
Period: Victorian
Year: 1891
Silversmith: B.H. Joseph & Co.
Place: Birmingham
Price: $ 780.00
Weight: 15.8 grams
Dimensions: 12.1 cm
Condition: Excellent.
Description: An extremely rare antique 9 carat solid gold spoon, probably made as a special commission. The spoon has a cast Griffin head above a Marquess coronet finial, the detail is lovely. The handle is twisted, and the bowl has scalloped edges, and is engraved with the original owners initials WDB. The quality is excellent, this would have been an expensive item when made. The spoon is made of 9 carat rose gold, and has been gilded in 18 carat yellow gold to enhance it's appearance. The rose and yellow gold accents accenuate the Griffin, the back of the bowl is rose gold, and the engraved initials show the rose gold coming through. We are informed by a leading London dealer that plating in 18 carat gold did occur during the period on high end goods. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark BHJ, 9 and 375 for 9 carat gold, Birmingham city mark and date letter r for 1891. Additional 9 carat marks are present on the bowl. B.H. (Barnet Henry) Joseph & Co. were founded in 1865, by 1889 they were "one of the largest jewellery houses in the trade, employing over 250 workmen in diamond and gem work, all kinds of goldwork in 18, 15 and 9ct, silver ornaments" - Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, pg 266. They made the City of Chester Mayoral Chain in 1891 (the same year this spoon was made) which was supplied by Lowe. They also participated in the Calcutta Exhibition of 1883, and after being awarded a prize medal, they supplied items for "one of the leading firms of jewellers in India". This particular crest, with Marquess coronet (strawberry leaf surrounded by pearls), can be described as "Griffin's head erased Marquess gorged". We welcome assistance on the identification of the family.
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Rare Antique Solid Gold 9 Carat Teaspoon - Griffin's Head and Coronet
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Griffins Head coronet - Solid gold teaspoon
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Engraved initials WDB - SOLID GOLD SPOON
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9 Carat gold spoon back
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B.H. Joseph & Co Birmingham 1891 9 carat gold hallmarks
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Antique Solid Gold 9 Carat Teaspoon - scale
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