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Scottish Provincial Silver Dessert Spoons (Set of 6) - William Ferguson, Elgin
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Reference: S11471
Period: Victorian
Year: 1839-1841
Silversmith: William Ferguson
Place: Elgin
Price: $ 700.00
Weight: 223 grams
Dimensions: 17.1 cm
Condition: Excellent, no scratches or dents, very strong tips, these spoons have not seen much use at all.
Description: A fabulous set of 6 Scottish Provincial dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, made by William Ferguson of Elgin, and hallmarked in Edinburgh over 3 different years between 1839 and 1841. The spoons are all engraved with original owners initial W, so clearly a set. The spoons are in excellent condition, with strong tips to the spoon bowls, with no sign of wear or use at all - no dents or scratches, these spoons must have sat in a drawer and not been used. Close examination of the 6 spoons reveals small differences in the size and shape of the bowls, shape of the Fiddle and the shape of the drop, which indicates these spoons were all made by hand. Furthermore, the spoons vary slightly in weight, the lightest is 33 grammes, the heaviest 39 grammes, they average 37 grammes, so a significant variation. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are also very clear and well struck, they could not be better. They include makers mark WF and ELGIN, alongside Edinburgh hallmarks, 1 is for 1839, 3 for 1840 and 2 for 1841. 2 of the spoons also have a dot alongside the WF makers mark, possibly a journeyman's mark. you can clearly see the difference in quality between the Edinburgh punches (which are superb) and the ELGIN and WF punches, the ELGIN letters are not perfectly aligned, and have slight imperfections. The WF makers mark clearly shows the W and F are co-joined on the top. William Stephen Ferguson (1802-1875) was apprenticed to Charles Fowler of Elgin in 1817 at the age of 15. The following is taken from his obituary "After serving his apprenticeship with an ingenious handicraftsman, Mr Ferguson went to Edinburgh, and remained there two years to get still more insight into his trade, and in 1825 set up on his own account in Peterhead, where he remained three years, after which he opened a shop in Elgin." He was a highly respected member of the Elgin community, serving as a member of the Town Council 1833-1842, and Police Commissioner and Magistrate 1842-1848. From 1850-1860 he was a Councillor and Bailie (Source "Provincial Silversmiths of Moray and their marks", G.P. Moss, page 73. We really like this set of spoons, the slight variations in shape and weight gives character, these spoons were not mass produced in a press, but made individually by hand.
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William Ferguson, Elgin, with Edinburgh hallmarks
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Scottish Provincial Silver Dessert Spoons (Set of 6) - William Ferguson, Elgin
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Scottish Provincial Silver Dessert Spoons
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Scottish Provincial Silver, engraved initial W
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Scottish Provincial Silver spoon bowl, excellent condition
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William Ferguson, Elgin silver spoon
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Silver Dessert Spoons (Set of 6) - William Ferguson, Elgin
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