A Fine and Rare George II Provincial Basting Spoon
The long tapering canon handle with baluster finial at the end and small clasp a short distance from the bowl. The latter of flattened oval shape with deep sides and the centre finely engraved with a crest. The reverse of the bowl engraved with initials “F” over “F.F” below a plain rat-tail.
Date
Maker
1728
George Bulman, Newcastle
Weight
Dimensions
8.6 oz
Length: 17” (43 cm)
Price
£5,500
Essay
George Bulman is a rare maker. He was probably born in 1702 as he was baptised on 29th October of that year. He was apprenticed to Francis Batty II at some point between 1717-18. He became free in 1725 but carried on working for Batty probably until the latter died in 1728. It was at this point that he entered his first mark which is the one found on this basting spoon. It is not recorded by Sir Charles Jackson but is listed in “A Directory of Newcastle Goldsmiths” by Margaret Gill, p.69. This was followed by at least 4 other marks.
Whilst canon handled basting spoons are quite often found from London, they rarely appear from any provincial cities or towns.
The crest of a stag’s head is very common although the initials on the back of the bowl may suggest the Fraser family in Scotland that used such a crest. This may be Francis Fraser of Findrack.
