Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is an attractive Cased George V Silver Plate Fruit and Nuts Tool Set. The set comprises two nut crackers, a pair of grape shears and two nut picks, which have Sterling Silver ferrules and Mother of Pearl handles. The box has a thin black leather covering, blue satin lining in the lid and a blue velvet tray for the implements.

The set was made in Sheffield by Harrison Brothers & Howson and dates to 1914, with one nut pick dating to 1924 and presumably being a replacement for a lost original. The firm was founded in 1847 when James & Henry Harrison and James Howson acquired the Sheffield silversmith business of Thomas Sansom & Sons. They quickly established themselves as high class cutlers, silversmiths and electroplaters and the company remained in the Harrison and Howson families until the business was bought out by Viner's Ltd in 1925, although the brand name was continued by Viner's for some years after that date. The box has the retail brand of Bristol Goldsmiths Alliance printed inside the lid.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings, dents or damage, no significant plate loss and just the minimal superficial surface wear that has to be expected with use and the passage of time. The box is a little scuffed on the outside but very smart on the inside with the hinges and clasp in full working order. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The grape shears are 16.2cm / 6.4ins long, the nutcrackers 14cm / 5.5ins long and the nut picks 11.9cm / 4.7ins long. Unboxed, the five implements weigh in at 511g / 18oz and all boxed up the set weighs 849g / 29.9oz.

The hallmarks, on the ferrules or collars of the nut picks, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crown assay mark for Sheffield, the date letter w for 1914 on one and g for 1924 on the other and the G H makers' mark for George Howson of Harrison Brothers & Howson.

Shipping in the UK is £6 by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.