A set of twelve early 19th century Neoclassical knives and forks. Austrian Empire silver handles and original steel blades. The handles with octagonal profile, in a simple Neoclassical style.

The well-used condition of this whole set is a large part of its charm. It's been brought out for dinners frequently over the last nearly 200 years. A handle has succumbed and been replaced here and there. There are many small dents and dings.

It is a rag-tag collection and why would it not be? After what must be hundreds of meals and many house-moves, they have survived the grand arc of recent European history.

Imagine dinners, the discussion of politics, the wars, the long sea voyages, the ups and downs of family fortunes. There have been weddings, birthdays, Christmas dinners, graduations, successes, debates, arguments, announcements and celebrations. All the larger moments of life have been marked by meals with these knives and forks.

We suggest you continue their use and enjoyment, adding your own stories and conversations over wonderful meals with interesting people.

This set has absorbed and exudes some of the bonhomie, the geniality, of nearly two hundred years of shared dining. Long may they continue to delight.

Notes on the Silver and marks:

The handles are 13 Loth standard (81.2% silver), with indistinct or barely legible city marks and makers mark 'IR', 'JR' or perhaps 'PR'. The blades are stamped with an arrow and clearly marked with a cutler's trade name, 'Ridler'.

Well worn Austrian silver marks show the Viennese shield and number 13 (for loth silver quality) with city marks and dates indistinct. Carefully magnified examination shows dates around 1830-1838 on those still legible, however this could be debated as they are very well worn. Latest date would be 1850.

Three fork handles are later replacements with indistinct or unidentified silver marks but in the same style, well aged and used, and of the same quality. Most tellingly, the cartouche or surround of the city mark is still clearly visible and, when compared to known marks, this shape is only represented in the city marks of Austria: E (Hall), F (Brno) or H (Graz).

The steel of the forks and knives is in remarkably good condition considering its age. There are signs of sharpening on a stone wheel, probably by a traveling knife sharpener. In many European countries, traveling knife sharpeners were commonly known as "arrotini" (Italian for "sharpeners"), or "moletas" (also Italian, referring to the portable grindstone). In English, they might also be referred to as "itinerant sharpeners" or "knife grinders". In any case, the blades have been kept sharp and are ready for use.

CONDITION:

Well used, dents and dings, utterly charming. Three of the forks have replacement handles, all silver marked, one indecipherable. Handle size varies across the set but all have a cohesive Neoclassical octagonal profile design. The handles are not heavy solid silver, they are crafted silver, hollow inside.

MEASURES:

each piece varies but average fork 22cm x 2cm

each piece varies but average knife 24.8cm x 2cm