Lot 601: A Late Victorian Joseph Rodgers & Sons Silver-Mounted Ivory-Handled Carving Set
A late Victorian Joseph Rodgers & Sons silver-mounted ivory-handled carving set, presented in a fitted mahogany case. The two-piece set includes a carving knife and a two-pronged carving fork with a hinged finger guard. Each piece features a handle carved from ivory with a spiral-fluted design, secured by hallmarked sterling silver ferrules and pommels. The pommels are embossed with a crest showing a crane or similar long-legged bird. The steel knife blade is stamped with the maker’s mark J. RODGERS, identifying the Sheffield cutler Joseph Rodgers & Sons. The silver mounts are struck with London hallmarks including the lion passant and leopard’s head, with a date letter and a maker’s mark possibly reading J R. The case interior is finished with red velvet and ruched red silk, with one vacant slot originally intended for a sharpening steel.
Condition report:
The steel components of the knife and fork show significant oxidation, surface rust, and pitting throughout (photo 1 and 2). The ivory handles have yellowed with age and show accumulated surface dirt in the carved details, though no cracks are visible (photo 1). The silver mounts are tarnished with minor surface abrasions (photo 3). The wooden case exhibits external scuffing and the interior fabric is worn and stained (photo 1). The set is currently incomplete, lacking the original sharpening tool (photo 1).
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