Crested Silver Fiddle Pattern Canteen of Cutlery for 12, London 1882

46 piece Crested Silver Fiddle Pattern Canteen of Cutlery, London 1882 by Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater

The Service

We are pleased to be offering an excellent Victorian period silver 12 place settings canteen in Fiddle Pattern. The service provides for twelve each of the standard flatware dining items plus eight  table spoons that can be used for either the soup course or for serving purposes and a pair of sauce ladles.

This is a top quality service with each piece having a good hefty weight and engraved to the front with an attractive crest featuring a stag. The condition is an especially key advantage with good thick spoon bowl tips and full, equal length fork tines – quite a rarity to have such fine condition for a Victorian service.

All the pieces were hand wrought in London and hallmarked for the premier silver spoonmakers, Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater.

Fiddle Pattern

Fiddle Pattern was the dominant flatware pattern of 19th Century Britain. It was by far the most popular pattern from 1810 until 1880. Production was largely discontinued in 1914, as the original dies for hand wrought fiddle pattern were destroyed during the First World War. As the pattern has rarely been made since, the design is distinctively 19th Century and is extremely popular today for people wishing to have antique cutlery.

The Makers

The service was made by the most important silver flatware makers of the late 19th century – Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater.

Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater were first established in 1838 when Henry Holland Senior entered his first mark at Goldsmiths Hall. Following Henry Holland Senior's retirement in 1880, the firm was taken over by Henry Holland Junior, John Aldwinckle and Thomas Slater.

One of the most important aspects of the new look firm was the acquisition of Chawner & Company together with all their dies and tools in 1883. Chawner & Company (since 1840 under the leadership of George Adams) was the premier UK specialist maker of silver flatware. They made a huge range of patterns and these were passed on to Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater for continual use. 

The maker's mark on the pieces within this service are those for the partners in 1882: John Aldwinckle & James Slater (JA/JS).

Components

This 46-piece service consists of the following:

• 12 Table/dinner Forks   20.8cm
• 12 Dessert  Forks          17.2cm
• 12 Dessert Spoons       18.3cm
• 8 Table/soup Spoons    22.6cm
• 2 Sauce ladles               17.8cm

Total weight of silver 2885 grams (92.8 troy ounces).

Optional Extras

We have a huge range of Fiddle Pattern in stock and will be happy to quote for any additional pieces that may be required to suit your needs. Knives can be supplied as required too.

Condition

Excellent original condition with good thick spoon bowl tips and full, equal length fork tines

Presentation

This canteen is offered loose. We can supply anti-tarnish cutlery rolls on request.

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.