Fortnightly Auctions Of Antiques, Collectables, General Furniture and Effects. New Lots Added Daily.
Sold for: £44
This lot comprises two antique sterling silver personal items consisting of a folding fruit knife and a vesta case. The folding fruit knife features a single sterling silver blade and polished mother-of-pearl handle scales. A vacant shield-shaped silver cartouche is set into one side of the handle. The blade tang is struck with a series of four British hallmarks in rectangular and shield-shaped cartouches: the maker’s mark MB, a crown, a lion passant, and a lowercase gothic letter q. The vesta case is of rectangular form with a hinged lid and a suspension ring attached to the side. The exterior surfaces are decorated with hand-engraved scrolling foliate and floral motifs. A striking surface is located on the base of the case. Small hallmarks are struck on the interior rim of the opening and the corresponding lid rim, though the individual characters are not clearly legible due to surface wear.
Condition report:
The fruit knife blade shows significant surface scratching, tarnishing, and dark oxidation spots towards the tip (photo 2). There is visible wear to the cutting edge consistent with sharpening. The mother-of-pearl scales are intact without visible cracks, though grime has accumulated around the pins (photo 2). The vesta case displays heavy surface tarnish and patina across all faces (photo 1). There are small indentations and wear to the engraved decoration, particularly at the corners and edges (photo 3). The hinge and lid mechanism appear functional.
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