Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is an ornate late Victorian Sterling Silver Shell Dish. The dish is scallop shaped and stands on three ribbed ball feet. The interior of the dish has embossed decoration of fruits and flowers, which really sets this apart from most shell dishes. There is a circular blank cartouche on the handle.

Shell dishes were originally used primarily for serving butter on the dining table but today they are versatile dishes that can also be used for snacks or nuts, for sauces, as trinket dishes on a dressing table, for small stationery items on a desk or simply as ornamental pieces in their own right.

The shell dish was made in Sheffield by Atkin Brothers and dates to 1898. Tracing its roots back to Thomas Law in the mid-18th century, the Atkin family took sole control of the business in 1840, first as Henry Atkin & Co and then from 1853 as Atkin Brothers. The firm manufactured both silverware and electroplate in Sheffield and also had a London showroom. They ceased trading in 1958.

Condition is very good with just the superficial surface wear that has to be anticipated after over 125 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The dish is 11.9cm / 4.7ins from rim to handle, 10cm / 3.9ins across and stands 2.5cm / 0.98ins high. It weighs in at a very respectable 60.9g / 2.1oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the inside of the shell, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crown assay mark for Sheffield, the date letter f for 1898 and the H A makers' mark for Harry Atkin of Atkin Brothers.

Shipping in the UK is £12.50 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the dish.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.