Back of a silver spoon, made in Glasgow

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This is the back of a silver spoon, dating from 1685 and made in Glasgow by James Stirling. Known as a 'trefid' spoon because of the three lobes at the end of the stem, this may be one of the earliest examples of a Scottish teaspoon.

The initials 'AP' are engraved on the back of the trefid end.

Scottish-made spoons of the 16th and 17th century are rare. Designs initially followed English and continental patterns and the trefid design originated in London. It is fairly uncommon in Scotland.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-001-167-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEQ 1555
• Date: 1685
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: On underside of stem, near bowl: IS; tree, fish, bell, etc [Glasgow mark, in an oval punch]; e [gothic, in a shaped punch like maker's mark]; on underside: AP
  Spoon
  
• Dimensions: 134 mm L x 33 mm bowl W
  
• What: Spoon
  
• Subject: Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: James Stirling, Glasgow (Silversmith)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Small silver spoon with a wide egg-shaped bowl and a plain stem with upturned trefid end, by James Stirling, Glasgow, 1685, inscribed "AP" on the underside
  
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