A pair of George II Scottish provincial silver tablespoons, Inverness circa 1740 by John Baillie (c.1703 - 1753) Hanoverian pattern, with broad double drop heel. The terminals engraved with contemporaneous crest of an eagle close, above mirror script initials AM, all surmounted by the motto Dread God. Each marked with maker’s mark IB in an oval, INS, and a P. (2) Length – 21.3 cm / 8.4 inches Weight – 136 grams / 4.37 ozt There are many potential candidates for the initials from Clan Munro, perhaps Andrew Munro of Opisdale (c.1729-1809), son of George Munro of Limlair and Catherine Munro daughter of Sir George Munro of Newmore, he married Janet Munro, daughter of George Munro of Culcair. Or perhaps for Anne Munro (1728-1810), wife of Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet of Foulis (c. 1709-1781), of Foulis Castle some 19 miles from Inverness. She the daughter of Hugh Rose of Kilravock, chief of the Clan Rose (1684-1755). John Baillie of Inverness is regarded as the most accomplished silversmith in Inverness in the mid-18th century. He produced several quaichs of traditional form, two hot milk jugs, (Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum 01365 and Inverness Art Gallery & Museum 1978.260), Two pairs of mugs, one private collection (‘Exhibition of Scottish Silver’ Royal Scottish Museum August – September 1948 item 331), the other within the National Museums of Scotland collection National Museum Scotland (MEQ 1575 and 1576). Also possibly by him a pair of salts, National Museum of Scotland (MEQ 1517 and 1518). A basting spoon by Baillie sold Woolley and Wallis, 28 Oct 2009, lot 121 (£3,200 hammer) A masking spoon by Baillie sold Lyon and Turnbull, 17 Aug 2022, lot 231 (£504 incl. prem) A pair of waiters by Baillie sold Lyon and Turnbull, 17 Aug 2022, lot 233 (£6,930 incl. prem) Two pairs of spoons from this set were sold these rooms 21 June 2023, lot 387 and Lot 388 (each £350 incl. prem)