88-piece Fiddle Pattern Canteen, London 1840-82 by George Adams
We are offering for sale a superb quality Victorian period fiddle pattern canteen beautifully presented within a wooden case. All the silver pieces in this canteen were made by the same maker and it comprises six pieces per twelve place settings with additional soup spoons and serving pieces. Each piece is in superb polished condition with neither engraved initials nor crests.
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 Maker
All the pieces within this canteen were made by Chawner & Company and marked with the "GA" mark of it's owner (George W Adams). Chawner & Company were the premier silver flatware making outfit of the 19th Century. They produced some of the finest spoons and forks from their Hosier Lane workshops in London. Each piece was hand-wrought in the traditional manner and are amongst the best quality likely to be encountered. A brief biography of Chawner and Company can be found by clicking this link.
The Service
This extensive canteen is beautifully presented in a blue baize lined box. All the pieces are in fabulous condition and have not been engraved. Each piece has a good solid feel in the hand. All the spoons and forks were made by the same maker and the bone handled knives and carvers are matching in style to each other by a mixture of makers. A range of serving items are present. We are able to supply additional pieces by the same maker on request (e.g. serving items or further pieces to augment the size of the canteen). The bone handled carving set shows slight colour differences in the handles (see photo below)..
Components and Measurements
This 88-piece service consists of the following:
-
12 off table/dinner knives; length: 10.2" (260mm);
-
12 off table/dinner forks; length: 8.2" (208mm); weight: 868 grams (27.9 tr. oz.);
-
12 off dessert or starter knives; length: 8.2" (210mm);
-
12 off dessert or starter forks; length: 6.9" (176mm); weight: 514 grams (16.5 tr. oz.);
-
12 off dessert spoons; length: 7.25" (184mm); weight: 538 grams (17.3 tr. oz.);
-
12 off teaspoons; length: 5.5" (140mm); weight: 233 grams (7.5 tr. oz.);
-
6 off table/soup spoons; length: 9" (229mm); weight: 439 grams (14.1 tr. oz.)
-
2 off salt spoons; length: 4.2" (104mm); weight: 27 grams (0.9 tr. oz.);
-
1 off mustard spoon; length: 5.1" (128mm); weight: 21 grams (0.7 tr. oz.);
-
1 off sugar spoon; length: 5.6" (143mm); weight: 25 grams (0.8 tr. oz.);
-
1 off pair of sugar tongs; length: 5.75" (146mm); weight: 54 grams (1.75 tr. oz.);
-
5 off Carving pieces (meat knife and fork, game/poultry knife and fork and sharpener)
Total weight of weighable silver 2719 grams (87.4 tr. oz.) This figure excludes all bone handled knives and carvers.
Condition
Excellent. All the fork tines are full length and spoon bowls retain their thick tips. There are no engraved initials/crests. The canteen is in fine condition throughout.
Presentation
This canteen benefits from being presented in a mid-coloured oak box with blue baize lining. Each item has it's own slot. The box has a key for locking. A brass presentation plaque (dating from 1904) is inset in to the lid.
As with all the canteens available from our web-site, we are happy to send a sample place setting for approval, on receipt of a fully refundable surety payment, prior to purchasing this canteen.
| Ref.: KD/2618 | Price: SOLD |
 |
|
 |
 |
| above - a place setting showing the polished finish
below - front and reverse sides of two dessert spoons |
above - the reverse sides of a place setting (photo
taken in light tent)
below - 5 piece carving set and a sample of a table and dessert knife |
 |
 |
 |
 |