Silver ladle, 1789, by William Ward, Dublin. Ladle is 13 inches in length. Bowl is 3 3/4 inches in diameter. The bowl has slight occlusion. Ladle has engraved motif of hand grasping thistle and has hallmarks used by Dublin silversmiths.

Markings on ladle back are (top) shield with letter R - date mark; (2nd from top) - crowned harp - standard mark; (3rd from top) - figure of Hibernia - duty mark; (bottom) -WW -makers mark. These 4 marks date Dublin silver 1730 - 1807 when fifth mark, sovereign's head, was added.

For more on the history of Dublin silvermarks, visit Weldons of Dublin

The engraving on the handle shows a hand grasping a thistle close to the ground. This imagery may refer to a folk saying about grasping the nettle (or thistle), meaning that the anxiety of attempting the difficult would be overcome by confident action, supposedly a firm grip on the plant negates the sting. This image may have been adopted as an emblem for a Scottish or Irish family.