DESCRIPTION |
Superb and unusual pair of Georgian silver grape scissors with fruiting vine decorated cast silver arms and a single rose decorated hinge pin head. This is English silver casting at it's absolute peak, gone are the flaws due to
the imperfect metal mixes that were so common with earlier, similar cast items such as the sugar nips of the mid 18th century or the general deterioration that arose due to the progression of mass production throughout the 19th century.
Each arm and finger ring is uniquely and perfectly shaped to caress your fingers with the deepest of comfort whilst the metallurgical skills of the craftsmen have enabled the creation of an item so much more than fit for their purpose that I believe
they could trim the nails of an elephant should your beast be compliant. You may find it anomalous when I now inform you that in my opinion this epitome of grape scissor design and construction have never been used. Perhaps they were made purely as an
example of the highest excellence achievable and as such were never commercially viable. |
SILVERSMITH |
Thomas & James Phipps II |
DATE or HALLMARK |
1816, rare but recorded rounded base to punch and pellet within the open part of the 'a' to the left side. |
ASSAY OFFICE |
London |
WEIGHT in GRAMS |
73 |
LENGTH in INCHES |
5 ¾ |
SILVER STANDARD |
.925 sterling silver |
OVERALL CONDITION |
excellent, no! better than excellent, perfection |