Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a versatile late Victorian Sterling Silver Shell Dish standing on three ball feet. The handle has been elegantly engraved with a script style letter H. Shaped as a scallop shell, this would almost certainly have originally been intended as a butter dish. Today it can be used to hold sauces or condiments on the dining table, nuts or snacks, as a trinket or jewellery dish on a dressing table or for small items of stationery on a desk.

The dish is made in Sheffield by renowned silversmiths Roberts & Belk and dates to 1898. Roberts & Belk was the final incarnation of a firm that traced its origins back to Furniss, Poles & Turner in 1810. Samuel Roberts became a partner in 1845 and Charles Belk in 1863. The company remained in business until it was bought out in 1961.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings or dents and just the superficial surface wear that you would expect after over 120 years of use. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The shell dish is 12.1cm / 4.7ins from rim to handle, 9.8cm / 3.8ins across and stands 1.9cm / 0.75ins high. It weighs a very respectable 60.2g / 2.1oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the handle, 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 f for 1898 and the R & B makers' mark for Roberts & Belk. In addition it has the famous Roberts & Belk Aladdin's Lamp trademark and their product number 3259.

Shipping in the UK is £6 by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed For Parcel Post.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.