ASCAS Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver ASSOCIATION OF SMALL COLLECTORS OF ANTIQUE SILVER
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by Robert Massart
 
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A SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL SALT SPOON

This is a Scottish Provincial King’s Pattern silver salt spoon manufactured by Perth silversmith Robert Keay II and assayed in Edinburgh in 1842.
Peculiar to Scotland, the King’s Pattern is only struck on the front, the reverse side being plain.
This Victorian age salt spoon bears the hallmarks: three towered castle and thistle for Edinburgh (note 1), date letter "L" for the year 1842 and queen Victoria’s head facing left for the duty mark.
Maker’s mark: RK in a rectangle for Robert Keay II.
The spoon also carries the initial W on the handle and its oval bowl shows traces of gilding.
The Keay were a family of silversmiths active in Perth from late 18th century to mid 19th century.
Robert Keay I (the elder) is earliest mentioned in 1791 and his latest mention (as RK mark) is in 1825. Since 1812 he used a rectangular mark with RK while in 1836 is registered in Edinburgh another rectangular mark with "R &RK" in partnership with his nephew Robert Keay II (the younger). When Robert Keay I ceased his activity the punch RK continued to be used by Robert Keay II (earliest mention 1839, latest mention 1856) (note 2)

- Two factors signed the definitive decline of silversmithing activity in Perth (note 3):
The 1836 Act requiring all Scottish silver to be hallmarked in the Assay Offices of Glasgow or Edinburgh. This had the effect of concentrating production in these cities.
- The diffusion from the 1850s of the new cheaper process of electro-plating silver that covered most of the less expensive market request.

Length of the spoon 99 mm
Width of the bowl 22 mm
Weight 12 g

 
NOTES

(note 1) from 1759 the thistle mark replaced the Assay Master's mark in Scotland

(note 2) Jackson's quotes 1839-1856 use of "RK" punch by Robert Keay II accompanied by Perth town mark (an eagle displayed), while any use in Edinburgh of Robert Keay II "RK" mark is mentioned. Other 19th century Perth silversmiths quoted by Jackson's are, among others, John Hogg (active 1815-1839), Charles Murray (active 1816-1825), John Scott (active 1817-1841), Charles Sheddon (active 1813-1871) and David Greig I (active 1810-1855)

(note 3) The goldsmiths' art in Perth goes back to the twelfth century, at which time the city was the effective capital of Scotland, but they never had a distinct guild and were associated with blacksmiths, whitesmiths, gunsmiths and others in the Hammermen's Incorporation.
   
Robert Massart
- 2008 -