A Charles II dog nose spoon by Thomas Kerr, Edinburgh 1696 - 1697, Assay Master John Borthwick, t

A Charles II dog nose spoon by Thomas Kerr, Edinburgh 1696 - 1697, Assay Master John Borthwick, the Dog Nose terminal engraved with marriage initials M / AG / IL, with long double rat tail to bowl 19cm long, 1.8oz Notes: Thomas Kerr first appears within the Edinburgh Goldsmiths records on 1st February 1692 where he petitioned for the opportunity to present an essay of his work and there after to be considered for entry as a Freeman of the trade, to this end he is required to produce and present 'ane silver posset dish with gather rounds and ane gold buckle' [sic], his essay was to be completed in present Deacon and his masters John Penman's shop and his overseers were appointed as George Yorstone and Thomas Cleghorne. He was admitted a Freeman on the completion of his essay on 27th March 1694. He was elected Quarter Master twice in both 1698 and 1699. On 14th September 1695 Thomas Kerr along with five other Masters of the (including John Seaton see lots 364 and 367) were accused of 'imployeing the goldsmiths of Cannongst in work contrair to the statuts of the calling' [sic]. Unlike John Seatone, Thomas Kerr denied these charges and is not fined at this meeting. This matter is not raised again within the records so it must be assumed he was considered not guilty. Thomas Kerr is also one of the Masters who in 1658 signs the act regarding the finesse and marking of all items made by the Masters, see footnote to lot 369 for further details. However Kerr's name does appear again with suspicion he acted unlawfully against the acts and statues of the Incorporation, and at this later date he was fined. On 28th June 1697 it is found that Kerr had by modern standards 'poached' the journey man of the present Decaon and his ex Master John Penman's journey man Peter Frenchman, and employed him within forty eight hours after he had left Penman's employ. When questioned about this transgression Kerr admitted his fault and showed 'his ingenious confessione of his guilt' [sic]. It seems this showing of guilt was looked upon favourably by the members and on the agreement of the Deacon it was suggested that the fine for his transgression be reduced from forty pounds Scots to fifteen pound Scots, which had to be instantly paid and delivered to the Deacon. Thomas Kerr's name appears only once after this transgression where he is back holding a trusted position within the Incorporation and Masters of the trade. In 1700 he is elected as a member of a new committee whose role it was to try and further control the use, export and disappearance of silver from the nation. At this time silver supplies were running dangerously low in Scotland and considered 'much exhausted by severall persons that clandestinely buyes and exports the same to the great prejudice of the natione and lykewayes to the goldsmiths trade' [sic]. Reference: "Edinburgh Goldsmiths' Minutes 1525-1700' Transcribed by J Munro B.A, Ph.D, edited by H Steuart Fothringham O.B.E