An important pair of William II (III of England) Trefid forks
£1,750
Auction: 30 November 2011 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Alexander Kincaid , Edinburgh 1698, Assay Master James Penman, additionally marked with Belgian 1795 - 1814 hallmark, of Trefid pattern with wide terminal engraved to reverse 'M / TE / MS', with wide straight stems and four tines (2)
Dimensions
17.5cm long, each 1.25oz
Footnote
Provenance:
The Phoenix Collection
Brand Inglis (probably split from a larger set)
Note: These trefid forks are amongst the earliest recorded forks for Scottish silver, another of the same date, by Thomas Cleghorne of Edinburgh, is recorded in the National Museums of Scotland (pattern unrecorded), and also a three pronged Dog Nosed example by Robert Bruce of Edinburgh, also within the National Museums of Scotland.
While the marks to these examples are worn, with the date letter and town mark the clearest, the Assay Master has to be James Penman, as the date letter and the outline of the maker's punch strongly suggests that of Kincaid. Also, the four pronged tines of these forks, while at first glance seem unusual (three or even two pronged being more common for the period), this also appears original and is noted on other early Scottish forks and indeed in 'Silver Flatware, English, Irish and Scottish 1600 - 1800' by I Pickford, a Dog Nosed set of six London 1695 - 1697 by Pierre Harache are illustrated, figure 82, which adds an interesting comparison.
References:
'Compendium of Scottish Silver II' R & J Dietert, illustrated plate 30, listed page 234