Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a rare and highly unusual Pair of Victorian Sterling Silver Open Salts. The salts are of Eastern form with beaded top rims and flat bases. The bodies are extravagantly decorated with 12 panels showing the signs of the zodiac between upper and lower foliate bands. The interiors are gilded. The sign of the two fish for Pisces has been cleverly worked into a monogram with two letters, probably I and P, suggesting this was the star sign of the original owner.

The salts were made in London by world famous silversmiths Elkington & Co and date to 1875. Elkington & Co are one of the great names of English silverware. Founded by George Elkington in 1836, they took out the world's first silver electroplating patent in 1838 and this is what they are best known for. However they always continued to produce very high quality Sterling Silver alongside their silver plate. The company was merged into British Silverware with Walker & Hall and Mappin & Webb in 1963.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings or dents, no salt corrosion and just the most minimal superficial surface wear that you would expect after over 150 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

Each salt is 5.3cm / 2ins in diameter at its widest point and stands 3.8cm / 1.5ins high. The pair together weigh in at a very respectable 97.1g / 3.4oz / 3.1toz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the undersides of the bases, are nice and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the leopard's head assay mark for London, the date letter u for 1875, the Queen Victoria duty mark and the F E makers' mark for Frederick Elkington, who was head of Elkington & Co at this time.

Shipping in the UK is £13.00 by Royal Mail Special Delivery,
which includes cover for the value of the salts.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.