Antique Sterling Silver 84 piece Set Fiddle, Thread & Shell Canteen of Cutlery
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84 piece Canteen – Fiddle, Thread & Shell Pattern (12 place settings) - Hallmark: London 1829 – 1923 mostly by Elizabeth Eaton Weight: 4260 grams (137 tr.oz.) + 24 knives - Ref. No.: FTSV/4493
The Service
We are pleased to be offering a fabulous matched full canteen in the ever popular Fiddle, Thread & Shell Pattern. This silver service provides for the seven main pieces required for fine dining and enough to serve 12 sittings.
The quality is of the highest available and although the dates span 100 years, the majority of pieces are hallmarked for the mid-19th century and 45 out of 60 spoons and forks were made by Elizabeth Eaton. Furthermore, all the spoons and forks were hand wrought in London and are matched in to dozens by using runs of 6.
There are two different engraved crests: a bird (24 pieces) and a human face (24 pieces), plus there are 36 blank pieces with no engravings (inc. 24 knives). The forks with the bird crest are engraved to the reverse sides. Full details of the make-up of the service can be found below.
The silver handled knives are fitted with stainless steel blades and were made in Sheffield 1989 by John Biggins – they are of an especially high quality and have a particularly hefty feel in the hand
Fiddle, Thread & Shell Pattern
Fiddle Pattern was the dominant flatware pattern of 19th Century Britain. It was by far the most popular pattern from 1810 until 1880 and a number of variants were introduced – the premier quality variant, adding both a thread edge and a shell motif to the top of the handle and reverse of the bowl, was called Fiddle, Thread & Shell. Because of the high relief and double-struck decoration used on this pattern, a thick gauge of silver was necessary to produce it, hence FT&S pieces tend to have a much heavier weight than their more restrained fiddle pattern counterparts.
Components
This 84-piece service consists of the following:
12 silver handled table knives, Sheffield 1989 by John Biggin |
25cm long |
12 silver handled dessert knives, Sheffield 1989 by John Biggin |
22.5cm |
12 table spoons, all London 1853 by E Eaton with face crest |
22cm |
12 table forks, London 1853 by E Eaton with face crest x 6 & London 1849/54 by E Eaton with bird crest x 6 |
20.4cm |
12 dessert spoons, London 1840 by J&S Savoury with no crest x 6 & London 1849/54 by E Eaton with bird crest x 6 |
18cm |
12 dessert forks, London 1850 by E Eaton with no crest x 6 & London 1849/54 by E Eaton with bird crest x 6 |
18cm to18.4cm |
12 teaspoons, London 1883/1929 by F Higgins with face crest x 6 & London 1829 by W Traies (x3) & L/1848 by E Eaton x 3 all with bird crest |
14.3cm |
Total weight of weighable silver 4260 grams (137 troy ounces) + 24 silver handled knives.
Optional Extras
We have more items in stock from the two services used above with the same engraved crests.
Condition
Excellent polished condition.
Presentation
This canteen is supplied in new anti-tarnish cutlery rolls with individual pockets to hold 12 items per roll.
All 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.