Thomas Mangy, Active 1659-d. 1683

engraved verso a skull and Live to die, recto Die to live, and with the arms of Strickland of Boynton, Yorkshire

Christie's, South Kensington, Early Silver Spoons - The Paterson Collection and other Properties, 10 November 1998, lot 84

Very crisp engraving, the bowl of the spoon is thin around the outside edge and has possibly been re-hammered, otherwise overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Disc-end spoons seem to have been in general use in Scotland from the late 16th century until the mid-17th century. There is a group however of disc-end memento mori spoons with the arms of Strickland of Boynton made in York by Thomas Mangy. One, dated 1665, was in the celebrated How Collection (Vol. I, Chap. II, section XII, Plate 5). According to its owner and author of the catalogue, the spoons were presumably made to special order and as they bear different date-letters, it would seem probable that they were given in the Strickland family either as christening presents or as a memento mori spoons. Interestingly, a spoon made for the same family in 1661, but by a different maker, was in the Taniforth Collection of early Spoons (catalogued in 1898 by R & S Garrard & Co). Thomas Mangy made a similar spoon, but with a different coat-of-arms, which is now in York Minster Undercroft (see Hugh Murray, Directory of York Goldsmiths, Silvermsiths & Associated Crafstmen, Fig. 4).
The Stricklands of Boyton, East Yorkshire, were a family of politicians, beginning with Sir William Strickland, 1st Baronet (c. 1596 – 12 July 1673). William was an English Member of Parliament supporting the parliamentary cause during the English Civil War. The King created him however a baronet in 1641 and he sat in the Restored Long Parliament in 1659. From 1642 to 1646, Strickland was Custos Rotulorum of the East Riding of Yorkshire. His son Thomas, 2nd Baronet, (circa 1639-1684) was elected in 1659, Member of Parliament for Beverley, Yorkshire.