A substantial George I silver double ended marrow scoop, hallmarked for London 1716, maker's mark rubbed. A beautiful and well proportioned example measuring 24cm in length and weighing 56 grams. This is a very early scoop and particularly sought after as it was made during Britannia standard silver period (1697-1720). Britannia standard silver had a higher silver purity at 95.8% compared to sterling silver at 92.5%. The scoop comes from the estate of Sir Richard and Lady Venetia Hardy, formerly of Sherborne Castle and Guilsborough, Northamptonshire and latterly Springfield House, Dorset, where they resided from 1972 until Lady Hardy's death in 2021.