William Walsh Antique Irish Sterling Punch or 'Toddy' Ladle, Dublin, c. 1745

This wonderful and early Irish silver punch ladle is decorated with scroll and floral rococo designs. The front cartouche is engraved with a crest of a lion head in profile. The shaped, apparently original fruit wood handle is attached to a hollow shaft at the side of the bowl.

This rare ladle is marked underneath with the Hibernia mark and the 1745 Harp mark (see Irish Georgian Silver by Douglas Bennett, p. 260). The makers mark is only half struck and all the marks are somewhat rubbed. The ladle measures 10 inches long and is in wonderful antique condition. The handle is secured to the shaft with a later peg and a partial separation between the bowl and handle shaft has been well restored (no damage to the bowl) There are minor losses to the original fruit wood handle.

This item comes with its sales tag from George C. Gebelein from before 1945.