{"product_id":"fruit-knife-by-hilliard-thomason-1862","title":"Fruit Knife by Hilliard \u0026 Thomason, 1862","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA substantial Victorian folding fruit knife by Hilliard \u0026amp; Thomason, Birmingham, 1862, with a sterling silver blade and richly coloured mother-of-pearl handle.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAt approximately \u003cstrong\u003e15.5 cm long when fully open\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a notably large and impressive example of the type. The elongated mother-of-pearl scales display attractive natural tones of silver, green, gold and pink, changing subtly with the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe handle is finished with an elegant engraved silver end cap decorated with scrolling foliate ornament, together with a rectangular silver cartouche. It is still black which will allow the new owner to engrave it. The sterling silver blade retains clear Birmingham hallmarks, including the maker's mark \u003cstrong\u003eH\u0026amp;T for Hilliard \u0026amp; Thomason\u003c\/strong\u003e, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham, lion passant for sterling silver and the date letter \u003cstrong\u003eN for 1862\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHilliard \u0026amp; Thomason were Birmingham silversmiths John Hilliard and John Thomason, working from Spencer Street and particularly associated with small silver objects and folding fruit knives. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eSilver-bladed fruit knives were fashionable personal accessories during the 19th century. Silver was particularly suited to cutting fruit because, unlike carbon-steel blades, it was resistant to staining and reaction with acidic fruit juices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eA particularly attractive mid-Victorian example, distinguished by its generous proportions, lustrous mother-of-pearl and decorative silver mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003ePresented in a Barrington \u0026amp; Son gift box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe knife is in excellent condition. The blade opens straight when open. Light surface marks and wear consistent with age and use are visible, as shown in the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrington and Son","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50420274298980,"sku":"295","price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/3836\/5540\/files\/295MOPKnife1862byH_Tcm_295MOPKnife_293MOPKnifeIMG_1871-Photoroomcopy.jpg?v=1790168949","url":"https:\/\/www.barringtonandson.com\/products\/fruit-knife-by-hilliard-thomason-1862","provider":"Barrington and Son","version":"1.0","type":"link"}