Fine 1850 Victorian English Sterling Silver 2pc Fish Serving Set Fork Knife

Presented is a fine old Victorian English sterling silver 2 piece fish serving set. This piece dates to 1850 and was made by John Gammage. The blade of the fish knife or fish slice and the tines of the fork are beautifully hand engraved with intricate scrolled foliate designs. The blade has fabulous pierced openwork as well, and the tines of the fork has a decorative open design. The handles have a finely engraved crest of a bird holding a small branch.

This set is in good overall condition. The details of the engraved designs on the blade and tines are nice and crisp. The handles have some minor dents here and there. The handle of the fork has a small split. There are no monogram removals and no solder repairs.

Each piece is hallmarked on the above the handle with the lion passant for sterling silver, the anchor for the city of Birmingham, the date letter B for 1850, Queen Victoria's head duty mark, and the maker's mark of JG for John Gammage. These marks are all repeated on the handles, though here they are more worn.

The fork is about 9 1/8 inches long. The fish slice/knife is about 12 3/4 inches long.

The total weight for the pair is 317 grams or 11.2 regular ounces. Although there is some weighting in the handles, the majority of the weight is sterling silver.

-jm