1840's Victoria Pattern Canteen for 12 people

111 piece Victoria Pattern Canteen of Cutlery, London 1838 by 1852

The Service

This is a fabulous antique silver canteen of cutlery in a much sought after pattern, named in honour of Queen Victoria. With the main components dating from the first few years of the pattern’s production, this extensive, early Victorian service provides for nine pieces per 12 place settings with an array of large servers.

All the main spoons, forks and servers (63 pieces) were hand-wrought in the traditional manner and made by Hayne and Cater who were top quality specialist London-based silver flatware makers of the mid-19^th. The pieces all have a good solid weight in the hand and are stamped with appropriate hallmarks for between 1838 and 1852 – Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837.

The table and dessert knives, plus the fish knives and forks, were all made by the London firm of CJ Vander in 1979 and provide an excellent accompaniment to the original service. The table and dessert knives have good quality stainless steel blades, whilst the fish eaters are silver throughout. Antique knives rarely survive in practical condition (the carbon steel blades rust), so these provide a very useful addition.

The majority of the Victorian pieces bear either an engraved crest or monogram, as was standard at the time these are to the front terminals of the spoons and reverse terminals on the forks. As can be seen in the close-up photos, these are discreetly placed and add an interesting addition. The CJ Vander pieces are without any engravings.

Victoria Pattern

Victoria pattern is considered a member of the King’s pattern family of flatware patterns. It has the same shape to the handle, although the style of decoration is completely different. The other shared feature with King’s pattern is the substantial gauge of silver required for the double-struck decoration (i.e. patterned to both sides) and the consequently hefty weight in the hand.

Victoria Pattern was designed in the late 1830’s and named in honour of Queen Victoria. It is in the Victorian rococo revival style and is one of the most sought after patterns of the 19^th century.

The Maker

The partnership of Samuel Hayne and Dudley Cater with makers mark “SH” over “DC” entered their first mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1836. The origins of the firm extended back to 1758 when Thomas Wallis first opened his workshop and they finally closed in 1865.

Thomas Wallis I was apprenticed to William Jones in 1749 and entered his first mark as a largeworker in 1758. His son, Thomas Wallis II was apprenticed to him in 1771 and entered his own mark in 1778. From the number of surviving pieces, we know that at this time the main output from the workshop was now spoons.

In 1796, Jonathan Hayne became an apprentice to Thomas Wallis II  and after his freedom in 1804, his brother Samuel followed suit. Jonathan first entered a solo mark in 1808 before later going in to partnership with his former master between 1810 and 1817 and then on his own account until his retirement in 1836. According to AG Grimwade in "London Goldsmiths: 1697-1837", "the number of marks registered and range of sizes indicate an extensive and flourishing business which is further suggested that from 1822 to 1827 Hayne took at least six apprentices". One of these apprentices was Dudley Cater.

Following the retirement of Jonathan Hayne in 1836, his son Samuel took over the running of the business in partnership with Dudley Cater. The workshop produced a large range of wares, but with the major output being flatware. Unlike many other spoonmakers of the period who followed the standard patterns, Haynes & Cater were comparable with the Chawner & Company in their innovativeness and production of new patterns, many of which were exclusively made by them. 

Components

This 111-piece service consists of the following:

Total weight of weighable silver 6440 grams (207 troy ounces) + 24 silver handled knives.  

Condition

Excellent polished condition. The double struck decoration remains super-crisp throughout. The forks tines retain their original full and equal length and the spoon bowls are unworn.

Presentation

This canteen is presented in nine new anti-tarnish cutlery rolls, with the three servers supplied loose.

All of our canteens are offered with a full money-back guarantee. We are also happy to send a sample place setting for approval, on receipt of a fully refundable surety payment - just phone or email your preferences. Alternatively, in-person viewings are welcome by appointment or via Zoom.