Pair Novelty Silver & Ivory Servers

A pair of Victorian novelty silver and ivory Servers formed as a garden Fork and Spade, the blades with bright cut engraved foliate decoration. The ends of the ivory handles unscrew to replicate original wooden ones of the period.

A very similar pair are illustrated in ""THE ALBERT COLLECTION"" By Robin Butler, where they are described thus:- “This pair are modelled as a garden spade and fork, each with panels of neo-rococo engraved decoration and with ivory ‘T’ handles. It is possible that these two instruments were intended for use on the dining table, although it is doubtful if the spade was used for butter. However a more likely cause for the manufacture may be that the pair were intended as presentation gifts, perhaps for long service in horticulture. It was common practice during the closing years of the nineteenth century to commission presentation gifts which pertained to the livelihood of the recipient. In Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, there is a miniature silver litter bin given for long service by the City Council to the City Engineer”

By Hilliard & Thomason, Birmingham, 1885

Spade 148 mm long - Fork 145 mm long.

Sold - £440.00