Spoons are among the earliest things in silver. The Romans and Anglo-Saxons had their spoons. The earliest extant English spoon is probably the celebrated anointing spoon of the late 12th or early 13th century, which was, however, re-fashioned in 166o. Early English spoons include the "Apostle" spoon, popular for Zoo years from about 1450. Original sets of 13 are extremely rare, the first being dated 1536-37, and was acquired by the late J. Pierpont Morgan. Next in popularity was the seal-top spoon, made between c. and 167o. From about 167o spoons in England became more common, and the patterns were copied by American silversmiths. Continental spoons are usually more ornate and are of many patterns from the 17th century. A typical German object in silver (and occasionally of gold) is a spoon, fork and toothpick combined, of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Forks of silver are rare until the i8th century. The earliest known English fork is dated 1632-33.
Celtic craftsmen possessed an aptitude for borrowing ideas and implanting their own individuality upon them. Evidence of their skill in metal working is to be seen in their personal ornaments. The Celtic goldsmiths of Ireland in Christian times borrowed designs from the Anglo-Saxon craftsmen of Kent, but soon sur passed their Kentish masters in technical accomplishment, as may be observed in two masterpieces ; the Ardagh chalice and the Tara brooch (9th and loth centuries).
Not a vestige remains of the silver made in England during the Norman occupation. There is ample evidence of the superior merits of the English arts and crafts in mediaeval and Tudor times. The most common of English drinking vessels from c. to the i6th century was the mazer bowl. Two historic examples
of drinking horns of the 14th century are at Oxford and Cam bridge. Two unique English vessels are the Studley bowl, late 14th century, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the enamelled silver cup (1350-75) of the corporation of King's Lynn. England is still rich in cups, tankards and drinking vessels from the 16th century. Great standing salts were regarded with veneration, particularly in the reign of Elizabeth, when the decoration of plate was markedly under German influence. In the i6th century came the sumptuous rosewater ewers and basins.
The restoration of Charles II. in 166o was followed by the introduction of larger and more costly vessels and by ornate decoration. Soon after 1685 the French Huguenot refugees who fled to England after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes revolutionized the decoration of English plate. Much of the early 8th century English silver is distinguished for its austere sim plicity and solidity. Louis XIV. ornament was also popular, and the influence of the French rococo was strong. In the com fortable 18th century many kinds of domestic vessels were intro duced or became common. The influence of Robert Adam, archi tect and designer, is apparent in silver between 177o and 179o, while a little later the classical spirit was conspicuous in the silver designed by John Flaxman, the sculptor, and others. Plate of English style was made at Dublin from the 17th century, and Scottish goldsmiths wrought excellent plate from the 16th century. Silver was made in the Channel Islands in the 17th century and probably earlier.
A gild of London goldsmiths existed as early as 118o, and in 1327 it was regularly incorporated. The mark of the leopard's head (lion's face) is first mentioned in 13oo, followed in 1363 by the maker's mark. In 1478 and 1544 the date-letter and lion passant respectively were introduced. Between 1697 and 1719, the figure of Britannia and the lion's head erased were in use. From 1784 the sovereign's head was marked ; it was discontinued in 189o. Silver was assayed in mediaeval and later times at Norwich, York, Chester, Newcastle and Exeter. The present assay offices are London, Chester, Birmingham and Sheffield. France.—The development of the craft in France may be followed in some measure after the death of Louis XIV., though vast quantities of silver work were melted at the Revolution.