Spoon with portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte

Dateca. 1761

Artist/Maker John Vaughan

MediumPewter

DimensionsOL: 8 5/16"; W (bowl): 1 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1984-143

DescriptionSpoon with portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte: Hanoverian type; broad handle of loo-shaped outline turned up at end with cast relief portraits of bust length of George III and Queen Charlotte facing right with "G" III Q DH" above and pendant flowered scrollwork below on face; long elliptical bowl with short double drop on underside below juncture with handle.
Label TextJohn Vaughan's King George III and Queen Charlotte portrait spoons are certainly among the most beautiful spoons of Hanoverian type. No other portrait spoons are as technically accomplished in the cutting of their molds. They may very well have been occasioned by George III's marriage to Charlotte in 1761. Other spoons of this pattern in the collection are a group of six (CWF accessions 1953-1082, 1-6) and a single example (G1970-136).

InscribedNone
MarkingsDe facto touch mark "I·VAUGHAN" within an oblong rectangle on underside of handle (Cotterell 4863). Secondary marks (1) a pascal lamb within an architectural frame with arched top and pillars at sides on underside of handle, (2) label with "LONDON" within a curved rectangle on underside of handle, and (3) quality "X" with crown above on underside of handle.
ProvenanceVendor: Robin Bellamy Antiques, Witney, Oxfordshire.