30-piece Fiddle Pattern Canteen, London 1817/18 by Sarah & John Blake
We are offering for sale a very scarce, near complete Georgian canteen in the popular fiddle pattern. Rarely do you find services still intact from this very early date. The canteen comprises five pieces per six place settings. Each piece bears the same engraved crest testimony to it's wealthy heritage. Knives can be added at a later date (they were originally supplied separately) and we shall be happy to advise.
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
John Blake was a specialist spoonmaker working in London from 1788 to circa 1809. Following John Blake's death, his widow Sarah continued the business in partnership with her son, John Blake II. The partnership worked from their Long Acre workshop between 1809 and 1823 and entered their SB/IB maker's mark.
The Service
This fiddle pattern half canteen is a rare George III survivor, with virtually all pieces being of the same Regency period date and by the same partnership. Three of the table spoons are hallmarked London 1818 by Robert Rutland (identical in all other ways) and two teaspoons are hallmarked London 1824 by William Southey.
Each piece bears the same superbly engraved crests. The main crest is located to the front side of the spoon terminals and reverse side of the fork terminals as was standard at this time, when forks were laid on the table with their tines pointing downwards. This crest depicts a fine mythical creature known as a Wyvern (a form of dragon with eagle legs and a coiled barbed tail). A second crest is located at the base of each shaft and depicts an anchor (front of forks and back of spoons), suggesting perhaps a connection with the Royal Navy.
Extra pieces are available that are an identical match: 6 x dessert spoons (London 1817 by SB/IB); 6 x dessert forks (London 1908 by Jackson & Fullerton) & a pair of 12" long basting spoons (London 1817 by SB/IB). Please enquire for further information.
Components and Measurements
This 30-piece service consists of the following:
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6 off table/soup spoons; length: 8.75" (222mm); weight: 381 grams (12.3 tr. oz.);
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6 off table/dinner forks; length: 7.9" (201mm); weight: 403 grams (13 tr. oz.);
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6 off dessert or starter forks; length: 6.65" (16.9mm); weight: 233 grams (7.5 tr. oz.);
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6 off dessert spoons; length: 7.25" (184mm); weight: 223 grams (7.2 tr. oz.);
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6 off teaspoons; length: 5.4" (137mm); weight: 136 grams (4.4 tr. oz.);
Total Weight: 1376 grams (44.4 troy ounces)
Condition
Excellent. All the fork tines are full length and spoon bowls retain their thick tips. Each piece is engraved with the identical Wyvern crest to it's terminal and minute anchor to the lower shaft. The service is in it's original condition with a fine patina.
Presentation
This service is offered loose (i.e. as it comes), however, anti-tarnish cutlery rolls are available on request.
Price: SOLD
Ref. No.: HY/9986
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.
Payment options Contact us for more information |
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