1936 24pc Art Deco MOP Handle Sterling Silver Fruit Dessert Set w Orig. Box

  

Presented is a wonderful vintage English sterling silver and mother of pearl fruit or dessert set, in its original fitted storage chest. This set was made by Mappin & Webb and dates to 1936. This is a set that serves twelve, with twelve forks and twelve knives, so 24 pieces total. The handles are finely carved from luminous mother-of-pearl with almost a faceted, crystalline design to it, very appealing in the hand and to the eye, exemplary of the Art Deco time period to which the set dates. The knife blades have a fine hand engraved flourish along the top edge, as well as a little section of serration near the tip, very versatile.

The storage box is a rich dark wood, likely mahogany, with blue velvet lined interiors and great quality construction in the design of the hinges, such that the lid can't be overextended when opened. The lid has an inset oval brass plaque, which has never been monogrammed. Each piece is hallmarked with the lion passant for sterling silver, the crown for the city of Sheffield, the date letter t for 1936, and the maker's mark for Mappin & Webb. Even the box has a little plaque set in the interior edge reading Mappin & Webb Ltd, Oxford Street. This set is in excellent condition.

All the mother-of-pearl handles are in great shape, with no chips, no cracks, no looseness, and no repairs. The sterling silver blades/bodies are likewise in great shape, with no splits, no dents, and no repairs. The box has some minor surface wear to the exterior but has protected the set admirably, and the lock is in good working order. Each knife measures about 7 1/8 inches long. Each fork measures about 5 3/4 inches long.

The box measures about 11 3/8 x 9 1/8 x 2 1/8 inches, LxWxH. The total weight for the set (not including the box) is 765 grams or 27 regular ounces. Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution.