Lot 49
Tain - a Scottish provincial fancy back masking spoon
Auction: 13 February 2008 at 11:00 GMT
Description
by Hugh Ross I of Tain circa 1750, marked HR conjoined (within oval punch), the centre section of the stem with intricate scroll work section, with cylindrical top section, scroll and urn type finial, the long oval bowl with applied leaf eminating from heel
Dimensions
19.5cm long 20g
Footnote
Notes: For an almost identical example by the same maker with the same marks see Bonhams Fine Silver and Vertu, New Bond Street 29th November 2002 lot 239 (piece illustrated).
While this spoon is a rather and unusual pattern for Scottish silver and in particular provincial manufacture it should be carefully placed within the body of work known for Hugh Ross of Tain. While the examples of his work extant are normally flatware, most of which is high quality, it should also be noted he is the maker of some very choice and unusual pieces.
Because of the varied and interesting surviving work, he could really be considered one of the finest provincial silversmiths of his day. Unusual examples of his work do still survive, see the dish ring from the 'David Morris Collection' Christie's, July 3rd 1983 lot 62, this is now in the collection of the National Museums of Scotland.
A small number of Scottish Fiddle pattern teaspoons are also known from a similar period to this example with the same HR conjoined maker's mark struck to the stem.
Reference: For an illustration of these spoons and this maker see 'A Balance of Silver - The story of the silversmith of Tain' E Quick.