Teaspoon "I Love Liberty"
Date1765-1785
Possibly by
Philip Roker III
active ca. 1756-1773 or later
OriginEngland, London
MediumSilver (Sterling)
DimensionsLength: 4 13/16"; Width of bowl:15/16": Width of handle: 3/8"; Weight:14 gms.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2005-88
DescriptionHanovarian pattern silver teaspoon with upturned spatulate tip with short mid-rib and pointed oval bowl with oval back drop surmounted by swaged relief pattern of bird atop bird cage with open door, beneath arched motto "I LOVE LIBERTY".Inscription(s)Engraved on back of handle in block letters "TL". Swaged relief pattern on back of bowl with bird atop bird cage with open door, beneath arched motto "I LOVE LIBERTY"Mark(s)Marked in relief on back of stem: 1) lion passant; and 2)sponsor's mark "P•R" [?] in shaped surround. Note: both marks are partially struck, stretched, and distorted. Note also that the surround of the sponsor's mark on this spoon varies considerably from that of the mark given for Philip Roker III by Grimwade. See Grimwade 1990, no. 2227.
