|
Rare Liberty & Co Arts and Crafts Silver Spoon - Bernard Cuzner, Artists' Spoons, Simon Moore
|
|
 |
Reference: S1547
Period: George V
Year: 1915
Silversmith: Liberty and Co.
Place: Birmingham
Price: $ 210.00
Weight: 52 grams
Dimensions: 15.8 cm
Condition: Excellent, very sturdily made. Light scratches to base of bowl.
Description: A rare arts and crafts silver spoon, possibly a jam spoon, made for the iconic Liberty's department store in London. The spoon is very unusual, with a design and decoration we have not seen before. The spoon is hand made, and has a very heavy gauge, this is a lovely spoon to hold and use. The spoon has a "knob" on the stem, which adds to the attractiveness but which also has a practical use in increasing the grip. The engraved decoration is very simple floral design, the circles have been punched in. The small circles, both on the handle and in the bowl, were used to simulate rivets. The hallmarks are very clear, the L&Co makers mark in diamond punch is clear but slightly worn. The spoon also has it's own unique design number, 2339, perhaps some-one with access to the Liberty archives will be able to do further research. It is also interesting to note that this spoon was made early on during the First World War, before production was diverted to the war effort. Liberty used his shop to showcase the work of leading designers, including Archibald Knox, Rex Silver, Bernard Cuzner and Jessie King (Liberty's, Biography of a Shop, A Adburgham, 1975, pg 81). It is possible this spoon was designed by one of these designers. Note 1 - This spoon has now been featured in the book "Artists' Spoons & Related Table Cutlery, A British History of Arts & Crafts Flatware", by Simon Moore, 2017, page 159, where it is photographed back and front. It is featured in the chapter on Bernard Cuzner, one of the Liberty Cymric designers, he was also head of metalwork at the Municipal School of Art from 1910-1942. The spoon is described as "a serving spoon, showing Cuzner's typical (signature) foliate/floriate engraved patterns, again showing the bold and advanced silversmithing of Cuzner's spoons. Interesting how the pseudo-rivet punches have migrated to the other end of the bowl". We highly recommend this book. Note 2 - In April 2022, this spoon has now re-appeared on the market on the Steppes Hill Farm Antiques website, see www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com, it is described as an "Arts & Crafts Cast Silver Spoon Bernard Cuzner. Note 3 - This spoon is featured in an article entitled "Bernard Cuzner (1877-1956) A little known but remarkable silversmih, designer and spoon maker" by Simon Moore, published in "The Finial" Vol 34 January 2024, now described as a soup spoon, with Cuzners's botanical motifs.
|
|
|
|
|
Liberty & Co arts and crafts silver spoon
|
|
|
|
|
liberty silver spoon
|
|
|
|
|
Back of spoon
|
|
|
|
|
knob on handle
|
|
|
|
|
detail of bowl
|
|
|
|
|
Liberty hallmarks
|
|
|
|
|
Scale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
