Antique silver-plated mother-of-pearl fish servers

Antique silver-plated mother-of-pearl fish servers

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These beautiful Victorian fish servers have hand-engraved silver-plated blades featuring scrolling foliage, ivy and floral decorations. The panelled handles feature a crisp bead pattern bordering mother-of pearl inlays, and the mounts are well defined and decorated with a band of ovoid flower heads, tapering fanned flutes, and surmounted by a bead finial. This pair of silver-plated fish servers is accompanied by its original, velvet-lined presentation case.

The precursor to fish servers was the fish slice. Made of silver or silver plate, the fish slice featured a flat, symmetrical blade designed for serving fish at the table and first appeared in the mid-1700s. About 100 years later the Victorians adapted the form to a wide scimitar-shaped blade, often pierced and engraved, with a flat or decorative cast handle, and then accompanied by a wide-tined matching fork. Hence the advent of the silver and silver-plated fish servers.

The best examples of silver and silver-plated fish servers are often finely pierced and embellished with engraved marine motifs, mother-of-pearl or carved ivory handles. Aside from their beauty, they are practical too. The broad blade helps lift the fish while keeping it in one piece, and the sharp point of the blade is useful to peel away fish bones.

Dimensions:

Width 325 mm / 13 "
Year

c1880

Place

Sheffield

Condition

Excellent

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