{"product_id":"pocket-knife-made-by-john-oxley-1850","title":"Pocket Knife by John Oxley, 1850.","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA refined \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVictorian folding fruit knife\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, made in Sheffield in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1850 by John Oxley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, combining a fully hallmarked sterling silver blade with mother-of-pearl scales.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe knife has an elegant simplicity typical of the finest Sheffield pocket cutlery of the period. The gently shaped mother-of-pearl handle displays attractive natural iridescence in tones of silver, pink and green, and is fitted with a vacant oval cartouche suitable for engraving. Fine linear detailing to the silver bolster and decorative work along the backspring provide understated ornamentation without detracting from the quality of the shell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esterling silver blade is clearly hallmarked\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including the maker's mark for John Oxley and Sheffield assay marks dating the piece to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1850\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilver-bladed fruit knives became fashionable personal accessories during the Georgian and Victorian periods. Silver was particularly suited to cutting fruit because, unlike the carbon-steel blades commonly used at the time, it was resistant to the corrosive effects of acidic fruit. Their folding form allowed them to be conveniently carried in a pocket, reticule or travelling case.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13 cm long when open\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is an attractive and highly collectable example of mid-19th-century Sheffield craftsmanship, distinguished by the beautiful natural mother of pearl and the survival of its original hallmarked silver blade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e John Oxley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sheffield, England\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1850\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Early Victorian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sterling silver and mother of pearl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 13 cm open\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForm:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Folding fruit knife\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barrington and Son","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48993555120228,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/3836\/5540\/files\/MB061850JohnOxley13cmMB06IMG_1307-Photoroomcopy.jpg?v=1786690208","url":"https:\/\/www.barringtonandson.com\/products\/pocket-knife-made-by-john-oxley-1850","provider":"Barrington and Son","version":"1.0","type":"link"}