24 piece Fiddle Pattern Canteen, London 1814-16 by Thomas Barker
We are offering for sale a rare opportunity to purchase a Georgian same date and maker fiddle pattern half canteen. All the pieces in this canteen were made by the same maker over a two year period and it comprises four pieces per six place settings. 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
Thomas Barker was a specialist silver flatware maker (i.e. spoons and forks). He was born in the early 1770's and was apprenticed in 1787 to William Fearn. William Fearn was a major influence within the most important spoon making dynasty of the late 18th and 19th centuries. More information concerning this important dynasty of specialist flatware makers can be found by clicking this link.
Thomas Barker went in to partnership with his father, Christopher, in 1800 and worked on his own right from 1805. He produced a good deal of top quality silver flatware until at least December 1819 when he entered his final mark at Goldsmiths Hall (London Assay Office).
The Service
This Georgian half canteen consists of the basic place settings for a standard family table. It would be ideal for everyday use or would provide an excellent starting point for a larger service. The teaspoons are in the larger size, which means that they are multi-purpose in function and would be equally adept for eating mousse, sorbet etc. We have further items by the same maker in stock and will be happy to provide details on request.
Each piece bears London hallmarks for between 1814 and 1816, which is the time of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. This date is particularly early for fiddle pattern as it had only really begun to be fashionable over the previous few years. Fiddle pattern then went on to become the most popular of all flatware patterns during the 19th century.
Components and Measurements
This 24-piece service consists of the following:
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6 off table/dinner forks; length: 8" (203mm); weight: 397 grams (12.8 tr. oz.);
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6 off dessert or starter forks; length: 6.5" (165mm); weight: 227 grams (7.3 tr. oz.);
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6 off dessert spoons; length: 6.8" (174mm); weight: 248 grams (8 tr. oz.);
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6 off teaspoons; length: 5.6" (14.2mm); weight: 104 grams (3.3 tr. oz.);
Total weight of weighable silver 976 grams (31.4tr. oz.)
Options
We shall be happy to offer advice on knives should they be required. We suggest that either new silver handled knives or early 20th century "bone" handled knives are the best options. We have other fiddle pattern items by the same maker in stock, including table spoons, extra dessert forks etc.
Condition
Excellent. All pieces are in a beautiful polished condition with no engravings.
Presentation
This canteen benefits from being presented in two silver coloured cutlery rolls.
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.: LT/5267 | Price: SOLD |
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