Fork (one of a pair)

1787-1790

Maker

George Smith and William Fearn (working 1786-1791)

Measurements

8 in x 1 in x 3/4 in

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Hugh R. Sharp Jr. and Bayard Sharp

Accession Number

1968.829

Inscription

London date letters stamped into the two forks include “q” on accession no. 1968.829.1, and “o” on 1968.829.2.  The maker's mark is “GS / WF”.  The crest of the Maxwell and Ralston families is engraved on the face of the handle.

Condition Notes

The ends of the tines are worn from use, especially on the right side.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The pair of four-tined forks bear two different date letters, suggesting that the silversmiths made forks (and other silverwares) in batches that carried over from year to year.  The two date letter marks yield a time span of 1787 to 1790.

The heraldic crest shows a heraldic wreath supporting a falcon.