Bernard Instone, a famous goldsmith born in 1891 in Birmingham, Great Britain, began to develop his passion for jewellery at the age of seven. Encouraged by the skills of his brother Lewis and inspired by his work at John Paul Cooper's Westerham Studio, he was later trained by the Berlin court goldsmith Emil Lettre. During his stay in Germany, he made a brooch for the King of Bavaria.
A remarkable set of antique mocha spoons demonstrating Instone's mastery dates from 1928 and was created for the Langstone Silver Works. This set, consisting of six spoons in the original box, is a true jewel of late Art Nouveau. The hammered spoons are decorated with arrow-shaped silver cord wire and each spoon is crowned with a turquoise-coloured enamel hemisphere in a bezel setting. These ornate details reflect Instone's outstanding craftsmanship.
The spoons, marked and in excellent condition, are not only absolute collector's items, but also museum-worthy. Another set of this type is in the Birmingham Museum, which emphasises the historical and artistic significance of these pieces. This set of antique Arts & Crafts mocha spoons is a precious testimony to the history and exquisite craftsmanship of Bernard Instone.
Reference: Grace's Guide to British Industrial History
Dimensions & Details
- Sterling silver 925/-
- Weight 79.1 g without box
- Length of spoon 11.5 cm
