Spoons (pair) owned by Moses Lippit (1668–after 1714) and Sarah Throckmorton (1674–after 1728)

ca. 1700

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Silver

Overall: 8 × 1 7/8 × 1/2 in. (20.3 × 4.8 × 1.3 cm)

Gift of Dr. John E. Stillwell

1929.120ab

This well-used pair of spoons bear the initials of Moses Lippit (1668-after 1714) and his wife, Sarah Throckmorton (1674-after 1728), of Middletown, New Jersey. The Lippits may have received the spoons as a wedding gift at the time of their marriage in 1697 or acquired them shortly thereafter. The spoons are decorated with Baroque-style foliate decoration on the bowls and the couple's initials on the handle. The placement of the decoration on the reverse side reflects the colonial custom of placing spoons on the table face down.

DescriptionPair of silver tablespoons with trifid handle-ends and with inscribed initials at handle reverse; back of spoon bowl chased with scrolling decoration; hallmark impressed on handle near bowl.

MarkingsEngraved on flat end of handle: "L / MS"; impressed on handle: "W. k. / B" inside heart

ClassificationsSILVER