Mint and About 225 Years Old

[deo-pa]

I have a modest collection of silver fruit knives so I couldn't resist when this two-tine silver fruit fork came along. It is 3" long closed and the handles are MOP with nice iridescence. The back spring and bolsters are engraved with a fluted design, a style that is called "gadrooning." The entire perimeter of the "blade" on both sides is engraved with tiny zigzags, a process called "wrigglework."

The fork has two hallmarks, a George III head (which is a duty mark) and the lion passant, which means it is sterling silver. There is no date hallmark but I'm told the type of gadrooning and wigglework peg it to about 1790. It has an inlaid silver shield with micro-engraving. The fork is in essentially mint condition and the "blade" has a half-stop and great snap. It even has a kidskin purse that may be original but I can't be sure.

It's an uncommon find that dates to the founding of our country (George III was the monarch who lost the American colonies). Fruit knives and forks were often sold in pairs. It's a ridiculous long shot, but I'll keep looking for the matching knife!

Dennis

[dundak]

Awesome find. Thanks for posting

[Ivoryman]

Fabulous piece. I can see TONS of craftsmanship and hours of labor to get those little details. Beautiful pearl for that old and such good condition. Wow. Thanks for showing, never seen engraving like that. Beauty for sure.

[steve99f]

A fantastic artifact!

[FRJ]

What a gorgeous little fork, Dennis.
A great old piece. You are so fortunate.

Good for you!

[Wreichard]

I have a modest collection of silver fruit knives so I couldn't resist when this two-tine silver fruit fork came along. It is 3" long closed and the handles are MOP with nice iridescence. The back spring and bolsters are engraved with a fluted design, a style that is called "gadrooning." The entire perimeter of the "blade" on both sides is engraved with tiny zigzags, a process called "wrigglework."

The fork has two hallmarks, a George III head (which is a duty mark) and the lion passant, which means it is sterling silver. There is no date hallmark but I'm told the type of gadrooning and wigglework peg it to about 1790. It has an inlaid silver shield with micro-engraving. The fork is in essentially mint condition and the "blade" has a half-stop and great snap. It even has a kidskin purse that may be original but I can't be sure.

It's an uncommon find that dates to the founding of our country (George III was the monarch who lost the American colonies). Fruit knives and forks were often sold in pairs. It's a ridiculous long shot, but I'll keep looking for the matching knife!

Dennis

Wow!

[Mumbleypeg]

Dennis.

Ken

[QTCut5]

Impressive condition considering its age; seems almost absurd to think that any knife made today (for utilitarian purposes as was that one in its day) could possibly hold the same degree of fascination to generations 300 years in the future.

Imagine the tales that knife will tell one day if/when some billionaire funds research into decoding the history stored in the molecules.

Congratulations on an amazing, awesome acquisition. and good luck finding its mate.

[deo-pa]

Thank you gentlemen for your complimentary remarks. Most of us are reluctant to state what we paid for a knife (unless we got a great bargain) because we don’t like the idea of being thought a fool for overpaying. So many times I’ve seen amazing knives here on AAPK and wondered if I could have bought that. I believe in being candid because knowing the price of something is a useful data point for our knife education. I paid $120 for this fork, including shipping. No need to comment on my wisdom or stupidity, but at least it gives you one datapoint on what one guy thought the fork’s value was so you can make your own value judgments.

Dennis

[MadeinUSA]

The first hobo knife!

I suppose the King wasn’t exactly a hobo…

Very interesting and thanks for posting

[edgy46]

Beautiful piece of cutlery. Firey pearl,and great photography.

[centennialknives]

In awe -- incredible find

[TripleF]

Toooooooooooooo dang cool.

[doglegg]

Thank you gentlemen for your complimentary remarks. Most of us are reluctant to state what we paid for a knife (unless we got a great bargain) because we don’t like the idea of being thought a fool for overpaying. So many times I’ve seen amazing knives here on AAPK and wondered if I could have bought that. I believe in being candid because knowing the price of something is a useful data point for our knife education. I paid $120 for this fork, including shipping. No need to comment on my wisdom or stupidity, but at least it gives you one datapoint on what one guy thought the fork’s value was so you can make your own value judgments.

Dennis

I like it when the price is shared. Helps me focus on too much or fair or a great deal. I have a couple of fruit knives and love them. None as wonderful as that one.

[RobesonsRme.com]

What an absolutely beautiful little cutlery related item.

Its matching knife, if indeed one ever existed, would, I think, triple its value.

Fabulous.

Charlie Noyes

[toomanyknives]

I have a modest collection of silver fruit knives so I couldn't resist when this two-tine silver fruit fork came along. It is 3" long closed and the handles are MOP with nice iridescence. The back spring and bolsters are engraved with a fluted design, a style that is called "gadrooning." The entire perimeter of the "blade" on both sides is engraved with tiny zigzags, a process called "wrigglework."

The fork has two hallmarks, a George III head (which is a duty mark) and the lion passant, which means it is sterling silver. There is no date hallmark but I'm told the type of gadrooning and wigglework peg it to about 1790. It has an inlaid silver shield with micro-engraving. The fork is in essentially mint condition and the "blade" has a half-stop and great snap. It even has a kidskin purse that may be original but I can't be sure.

It's an uncommon find that dates to the founding of our country (George III was the monarch who lost the American colonies). Fruit knives and forks were often sold in pairs. It's a ridiculous long shot, but I'll keep looking for the matching knife!

Dennis

And this is why we come to AAPK. To see amazing things like this! thanks for posting this, deo-pa..

[bighomer]

Wow x10. x10

[Quick Steel]

What a shockingly awesome acquisition! I believe it is worth far more than you paid for it. Congratulation Dennis; you have a real show stopper.

[rustyoldknife]

Dennis, that a beautiful piece of cutlery

[Dinadan]

A beautiful and unique folder, Dennis. It is somewhat amazing to see something like that has survived multiple centuries: was never on a ship that sank, never in a house that burned, never dropped and the MOP broken, never had the fork bent. Just cool!

[catspa]

Wow, Dennis. I too think it’s worth far more than 120 bucks, considering the skilled work required to produce it.

You’re lucky to be its steward for the present time. Good find.

Parker