Mother of Pearl Fruit Knife, 1921

A handsome English folding fruit knife, made in Sheffield in 1921, with a lustrous mother-of-pearl handle and fully hallmarked sterling silver blade.

The slender handle is formed from beautifully toned mother-of-pearl, displaying subtle flashes of cream, gold and pink as it catches the light. It is finished with silver fittings and a simple inset cartouche to one side.

The sterling silver blade carries a clear set of Sheffield hallmarks: the crown for Sheffield, lion passant for sterling silver, date letter “d” for 1921, and the maker or sponsor's mark C.P.

An especially attractive detail is the decorated backspring, with alternating geometric tooling visible along the spine when the knife is open. 

The knife measures 14.5cm in length when open which is on the large side for such knives.

Silver-bladed fruit knives were elegant personal accessories, designed to fold neatly into the pocket while providing a blade suitable for cutting fruit. This example, now over a century old, combines the iridescence of natural mother of pearl with the understated refinement of English sterling silver.

Presented in a Barrington & Son gift box.

The knife is in excellent conditon. The blade closes flush and opens straight. The spring is nice and firm, the blade in fine condition and the hallmarks clear.