Essex Jewelry and Antiques

Rare Late 1800s Gorham Sterling Silver Antler Handle Carving Set H51

$223.00

Presented is wonderful antique Gorham sterling silver and stag antler handle carving set, dating to the late 1800s. The handles of the carving knife and fork are made from stag antler with lovely natural variations in texture and color, pleasing to the hand. The ferrules joining the antler to the blade/body as well as the terminals at the ends of the handles are done in a decorative ridged spherical design in sterling silver. The blade of the carving knife and the tines/body of the fork are done in carbon steel, so these will darken with time and use and should be hand washed, never put in a dishwasher or left in standing water.

Both pieces are stamped on the silver ball portions with the maker's mark for Gorham as well as sterling and a product number, H51.

This set is in great overall condition. One of the silver caps, the one on the fork, has a bit of a gap between its edge and the antler, and some traces of glue. I'm not sure whether this is glue original to the construction of the piece, possibly melting/running from improper cleaning, or if the end cap has been reglued, but whatever the case it is firmly in place now. The antler handles are in great shape, with no splits or chips. The carbon steel blades and tines are likewise in great shape.

The carving knife measures about 14 1/2 inches long, while the fork measures about 10 5/8 inches long. -jm