Description
Antique Silver Folding Fruit Knife.
Antique silver folding fruit knife with nicely detailed mother of pearl handle.
Hallmarked from Sheffield in 1873 with the maker’s mark being that of John Yeomans Cowlishaw.
The rectangular cartouche has been engraved with the name Jane Wild.
There is a very small nibble to the tip of handle and a slight dink to blade tip, otherwise this is a very fine clean example of good size.
It measures 147 mm when opened and 86 mm when closed.
Folding fruit knives are believed to have first appeared in France around the 17th century. They initially had blades of silver or gold since these materials were corrosion resistant (against acidic fruit juice) and men often gave them as presents to their wives or girlfriends.
REF:410V
