COIN SILVER Tablespoon/BERGEN NORWAY Hallmark/LH/1870?--SHELL Engraved MEMORIAL

Description

Coin silver tablespoon (just over 8 ¼” long, bowl just over 1 ¾” at its widest) with shell motif and engraved initials and memorial, made in Bergen, Norway, mid to late 19
th
century. There are hallmarks underneath that include a domed building over seven dots (Bergen), 70 in a rectangle, and the initials LH. I wasn’t able to identify the maker, but the spoon may date to 1870 (though could be older judging by style with shell motif). The initials DK are engraved on the front, and a memorial on the back reads Erindring fra Moder, 1899—translates roughly to In Memory of Mother. I suspect this engraving was done later, when the mother died. It’s not surprising this turned up here in Rhode Island with its many Swedish immigrants who came to work in the textile mills. The spoon is in good or better condition with only very minor wear but with no breaks or substantial dents. Very nice Swedish coin silver tablespoon!