A George Smith, London, George III 1774, Silver 'Picture Back' Table Spoon

Manufacturer - George Smith, London

Date - 1774

Description - A nicely styled, good‑weight sterling silver Old English pattern table spoon, featuring a die‑stamped ‘picture back’ (fancy back) to the bowl — a charming and increasingly sought‑after decorative detail. The spoon has a pleasing balance in the hand, with the elegant simplicity of the Old English pattern offset by the crispness of the stamped design.
The reverse of the terminal carries two sets of engraved initials, C ✶ P and B ✶ P, adding a touch of family history without overwhelming the clean Georgian lines.
A lovely example of its type — tactile, well‑made, and full of character.

Condition - This spoon is in clean, very good condition with only very slight signs of use-related wear

Hallmark - The spoon has a manufacturer's cypher for George Smith together with a London date cypher for 1774

Dimensions - Maximum length - 20cm
Total weight - 53gm

Date Context 1774:
* George III begins his 14th year as Monarch
* American Revolutionary War: Britain orders the port of Boston, Massachusetts closed in the Boston Port Act
* The Society of Antiquaries of London open the coffin of King Edward I and discover that his body has been perfectly preserved for 467 years
* Joseph Priestley, working independently at Bowood House, Wiltshire, isolates oxygen in the form of a gas