Man’s Head Knop Latten Spoon
Material: Copper alloy: latten
Dimensions: Length: 17.1cm / 6 ¾in, Bowl width: 4.9cm / 1 ⅞in
Place of Origin: Unknown
Date: Early 17th century
Maker or Retailer: Maker’s mark: crown over P in a rose
Present Location: Private collection
Explanation:
This rare spoon has a knop in the form of a man’s head, a flat tapering stem and fig-shaped bowl.
The spoon has a maker’s mark in the form of a crowned P in a rose. Another spoon with a larger head knop is known and a fragment, consisting of the head and part of the stem, is illustrated by Hilton Price with a possible attribution to the reign of Charles the First.
The spoon is made of latten, defined by Gentle, Feild & Gentle as ‘brass sheet hand-hammered from cast brass plate’.
References:
- Hilton Price, F.G., Old Base Metal Spoons with Illustrations and Marks. London, Batsford, 1908, pl.VIII
- Gentle, R., Feild, R. & Gentle, B., Domestic Metalware 1640-1820, Woodbridge, Suffolk, Antique Collectors’ Club, 1994, ISBN 1851491872, Appendix III, p.448
