Silver-gilt Dessert Service For 12 People (36p) – Sheffield, 1892 – Harrison Brothers & Ho

Silver-gilt dessert service for 12 people (36P) – Sheffield, 1892 – Harrison Brothers & Howson An elegant and rare 36-piece silver-gilt dessert service for 12 people, comprising 12 forks, 12 knives and 12 spoons, in perfect condition. Each piece is made entirely of solid silver covered with original silver-gilt (fine gold-gilt silver), without any filling: the handles are hollow but made from a single piece of solid silver, carefully hallmarked. This construction ensures a substantial weight and a crystalline resonance typical of quality pieces. The cutlery has a superb scroll decoration in the Victorian style, of great elegance. The set is fully hallmarked, with Sheffield hallmarks for the year 1892, and the silversmith's mark HH, corresponding to Harrison Brothers & Howson (Henry Harrison), active in Norfolk Street, Sheffield, from 1854 to 1895. This maker is renowned for its production of fine Victorian silverware, still highly sought after today. The original gilding deserves special mention: it is in absolutely exceptional condition, uniform, brilliant, without wear or alteration, including on the most used areas such as the tines of the forks or the blades of the knives. This level of quality is almost impossible to find today, as modern gilding processes, subject to strict environmental standards, no longer allow the thicknesses of gold that could be applied in the 19th century. Here, the gilt is dense, thick, and visibly period, which gives this service an incomparable brilliance, depth of tone and durability. ???? Please note: this service is offered for sale in two identical sets of 36 pieces each. It is therefore possible to: purchase a single service for 12 people (36 pieces), or both sets together, i.e. 72 pieces for 24 people. A rare opportunity to create a large, uniform table with a complete service for 24 guests. Characteristics: Title: Silver-gilt dessert service for 12 people (36P) Origin: England, Sheffield Date: 1892 (letter-date on each piece) Silversmith: Harrison Brothers & Howson (HH hallmark) Composition (per service): 12 forks, 12 knives, 12 spoons Metal: 925/1000 solid silver gilded with fine gold (vermeil) Total weight (per service): 1.75 kg Manufacture: Unlined handles, in solid silver Decoration: Victorian scroll style Condition: Perfect – period silver gilt of remarkable quality – no defects or play Prestigious set, representative of the excellence of Victorian silversmithing, ideal for a ceremonial table or a demanding collection