Tain is Scotland's oldest Royal burgh and is a small northern town in Ross-shire. In silver terms, the town produced a small quantity from a number of highly accomplished silversmiths and the "TAIN" town stamp is one of the rarest and most collectable of Scottish provincial silver. The maker of this spoon, Alexander Stewart was a well-established silversmith in Inverness who moved to Tain in 1812, where there had been no silversmith since the death of Hugh Ross III in 1786. In the Old English pattern, this spoon is in great condition with very little wear to the bowl.
Clearly struck with three marks: AS for the maker, TAIN for the town and the so-called cup and saucer incuse mark.
It measures 19cm long and weighs 35 grams.