the collection were made of silver. The
earliest spoons found have rounded bowls and 6-sided stems (handles),
whereas those made after 1650 usually have oval bowls and flat, 4-sided
handles. One of the silver spoons, with rounded bowl and slipped end,
bears the initials of its owner, "WC/E," on the slipped end of the
handle. This spoon appears to have been made between 1600 and 1625, and
is still in excellent condition.

The most important spoon in the Jamestown collection, and one of the
most significant objects excavated, is an incomplete pewter spoon--a
variant of the trifid, or split-end, type common during the 1650-90
period. Impressed on the handle (in the trefoil finial of the stem) is
the mark of the maker, giving his name, the Virginia town where he
worked, and the year he started business. This is the sole surviving
"touch" or mark of an American pewterer of the 17th century. The
complete legend, encircling a heart, reads: "IOSEPH
COPELAND/1675/CHUCKATUCK." (Chuckatuck is a small Virginia village in
Nansemond County, about 30 miles southeast of Jamestown.) Joseph
Copeland later moved to Jamestown where he was caretaker of the
statehouse from 1688-91. He may have made pewter in Virginia's first
capital. His matchless spoon found in the old Jamestown soil is the
oldest dated piece of American-made pewter in existence.

POTTERY AND PORCELAIN

The largest and most representative collection of 17th-century European
and early American pottery which has been excavated in America is on
exhibition at Jamestown. Thousands of fragments of colorful types have
been found, and by the exercise of extreme care and patience, museum
technicians have pieced together many early specimens. These examples
reveal the kinds of pottery used in the wilderness settlement over three
centuries ago. Included in this ceramic collection are pitchers, bowls,
jugs, cups, mugs, porringers, milk pans, jars, plates and dishes, pots,
and platters. These were used at the table, as well as for the storage
of foods, and for other purposes.

While some of the utilitarian earthenware was made at Jamestown, most of
the pottery that has been found was imported from England. Many types
also came from other European countries, including Germany, Holland,
Italy, Spain, and Portugal. One kind of maiolica may have been made in
Mexico, while the few fragments of porcelain recovered were made in
China.

Because of the great variety and importance of the