Burnell and Rowe

Description

This is an ornate late Victorian Sterling Silver Muffin Fork with a Mother of Pearl handle. The head of the fork is engraved on the upper side with a foliate pattern whilst the shaft has reeded and beaded decoration. The mother of pearl handle is carved into a fan shape at the end.

English muffins are traditionally torn in half with a muffin fork rather than neatly cut with a bread knife. This retains the rough interior texture which goes extra crispy when toasted.

The muffin fork was made by silversmith John Millward Banks and assayed in Chester in 1898. John Millward Banks established his business in Birmingham in 1863, also registering marks in Chester and London. The firm produced a wide range of silverware for domestic and personal use of consistently high quality, much of it sold through his London showroom. He died in 1911 and the business was carried on by his son into the late 1920s.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings or dents in the silver, no damage to the mother of pearl and just the overall superficial surface wear that you would expect after over 125 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The muffin fork is 14.7cm / 5.8ins long and 3.6cm / 1.4ins wide across the head. It weighs 27.0g / 0.95oz.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the head, are a little rubbed but still clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the sword and three wheatsheaves assay mark for Chester, the date letter P for 1898 and the J.M.B makers' mark for John Millward Banks.

Shipping in the UK is £5 by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.