A Nice One from 1857

[deo-pa]

Henry Wilkinson & Co. of Sheffield, England, founded about 1830, made this silver blade fruit knife in 1857. It is in excellent condition with brass liners, mother of pearl handles, and a back-spring covered with a tooled silver sleeve. Closed length is 3-5/8". The blade is bright cut engraved with a cornucopia and a flower stalk with leaves. The original owner's name (S. Yates) is inscribed on the silver shield.

It's design is somewhat uncommon for fruit knives, with the rayed bolsters that are also made of silver and the violin-shaped handles. The handles have strong gray iridescence with flashes of blue, green, and salmon.

The blade has five hallmarks: Queen Victoria's head indicates the duty has been paid, the crown indicates it was assayed at the Sheffield office, the letter "O" for 1857, the lion passant indicates sterling, and HW&Co is the maker's mark.

As I've said before, I believe in posting prices so we can all get a sense of perceived value. I paid $105 for this one, which included the shipping. I'm sure we all have differing opinions on whether that was high, low, or about right. It's always an individual decision, so in the end if the buyer and seller are satisfied it doesn't really matter.

Over the last couple of years I've had a weakness for fruit knives. Here are links to some other nice ones I've picked up.
viewtopic.php?p=1102112&hilit=Fruit#p1102112
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77038&hilit=170
viewtopic.php?p=1064263&hilit=Fork#p1064263

Dennis
By the way, as best I can tell this Henry Wilkinson is not related to the famous Wilkinson Sword Company started in 1772.

[Gtrclktr-351]

Very nice old knife

[FRJ]

Henry Wilkinson & Co. of Sheffield, England, founded about 1830, made this silver blade fruit knife in 1857. It is in excellent condition
Dennis

What a beautiful knife that is, Dennis.

I have six fruit knives and the longest is 2 3/4" and they are "plain Jane" compared to yours.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Wow, that is nothing but a nice old knife.

[Mumbleypeg]

Beautiful example of the cutler’s skill. It’s a shame that it’s largely a lost art today.

Ken

[tvic]

How were you able to date it, Dennis? Cool that the owner’s name is on it.

[Reverand]

Outstanding!

[deo-pa]

How were you able to date it, Dennis?

Tim, silver knives are dated by the hallmark stamped on by the assay office. The date symbol changes every year. The photo below is a portion of a hallmark table and shows the "O" stamp indicates 1857.

Strictly speaking, 1857 is not the year it was manufactured but the year it was assayed. However, for practical purposes they are the same.

Dennis

[Ridgegrass]

Leave it to the Brits to "simplify' things. J.O'. (owner of numerous Triumphs, Austin-Healeys, Matchless's.)

[Ridgegrass]

BTW: Great piece, J.O'.

[deo-pa]

Beautiful example of the cutler’s skill. It’s a shame that it’s largely a lost art today.

I agree Ken; it's a lost art except for custom makers. A few large volume manufacturers still make great knives, but the combination of metal fabrication, engraving, file work, and handle carving exhibited on this fruit knife is now confined to small volume custom knife makers. My guess it has been maybe 70 years (1950s Sheffield) since a major manufacturer had these skills under one roof.

Thanks to all for the positive comments on this knife.

Dennis