19th century AD or earlier. A silver Achaemenid-style spoon with oval bowl, handle formed as a duck head attached to the bowl, banded collar, leaping lion with detailed mane and paws and recurved terminal in the form of a griffin's head with pointed ears, crested mane and feather detail to the neck. 77 grams, 14.2cm (5 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. Fine condition.