KEITH - AN IMPORTANT SCOTTISH PROVINCIAL TEASPOON ATTRIBUTED TO J CUMMING marked JC, K, E, I, T, H, of Fiddle pattern, with vacant terminal and simple heel to reverse of bowl (14.2cm long, 15.4g) Footnote: Note: While the classic rarities of Scottish provincial silver are most commonly considered Stonehaven, Nairn, Tain or Peterhead all of these towns have had items appear at auction on various occasions and indeed all have more than one maker marking silver. The rarest Scottish provincial towns must be considered Ellon with one Toddy ladle confirmed, see Lyon & Turnbull Scottish Silver 16th August 2011 lot 205 (sold for £6250), and repeatedly overlooked Keith. Keith silver has rarely appeared at auction and it would appear the last example offered in a specialist sale was in the 1980s / 1990s Phillip’s of Edinburgh sales. From close comparison to the striking of the marks, it seems possible this spoon may be one of the two illustrated in Jackson’s Silver & Gold Marks of England Scotland and Ireland, page 609. The irregular placement and alignment match very closely to the first image, although the maker's mark is slightly clearer. Although the maker's name has not firmly been ascribed from documentary evidence there is a lot of local evidence for a John Cumming watch and clockmaker in Keith. Various pocket watch movements or clock dials are signed by him and watch repair papers are noted as well. While this is not confirmation, it would not be unusual for a watchmaker to have a punch made and applied to wares he most likely bought in. This may account for the rather oddly shaped and spaced punches, perhaps made by his own hand. This set of marks must rank amongst the rarest Scottish provincial marks recorded and Keith must therefore be considered the rarest of towns in line with Ellon.