Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a superb quality late Victorian Sterling Silver Sauce or Gravy Boat of unusual design. The boat sits on a circular, stepped pedestal base. The body is quite upright with reeded decoration on the rear half by the handle and an upright scalloped top rim. There are no initials or personalisation of any kind.

The sauce boat was made in Sheffield by well known silversmiths Roberts & Belk and dates to 1900, the last full year of Queen Victoria's long reign. Roberts & Belk traced its history back to the firm of Furniss, Poles & Turner founded in 1810. William Briggs joined the firm in 1822 and later took Samuel Roberts as a partner. After William Briggs retired in 1863, Charles Belk joined and the firm became Roberts & Belk, the name they retained until they were bought by C.J. Vander in 1961. They were a very successful company producing a wide range of domestic silverware, tableware and flatware.

Overall condition is extremely good with just one tiny nick in the top rim near the pouring lip, which doesn't affect the functionality of the sauce boat, plus the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 120 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The sauce boat measures 16.2cm / 6.4ins from lip to handle, 6.6cm / 2.6ins across the body and stands 12cm / 4.7ins high. It weighs in at a substantial 163.2g / 5.75oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the upper part of the body, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crown assay mark for Sheffield, the Gothic date letter h for 1900 and the distinctive R & B makers' mark for Roberts & Belk.

Shipping in the UK is £10 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the sauce boat.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.