George Smith Mustard Spoon 4″

This 4″ salt spoon, featuring a “24K gold-plated” bowl, is a fine example of Georgian-era silver craftsmanship. The piece is marked with a series of hallmarks that tell a story about its origin and history.

The marks, stamped on the reverse of the spoon handle, are as follows:

• The Maker’s Mark: The “GS” mark in a rectangular cartouche is the key to identifying the silversmith. This mark belongs to George Smith, a prominent London silversmith. There were several London silversmiths with the same name, but based on the style of the mark and the accompanying hallmarks, it is most likely from either George Smith III or his son George Smith IV, both of whom were known spoon makers. George Smith III worked from 1774, often in partnership with William Fearn from 1786.
• The Lion Passant: This is the symbol for sterling silver, guaranteeing the metal’s purity at 92.5% silver. The lion is walking to the left, which is a common mark.
• The Leopard’s Head: This mark represents the London Assay Office, where the spoon was sent to be tested for its silver content and stamped with the official hallmarks.