ANTIQUE SILVER FISH SERVERS
Antique Silver fish servers Description:
A flat bladed implement sometimes together with a matching fork for serving fish at the dinner table.
Antique Silver fish servers History:
The earliest known examples of fish servers date from the 1740s, and these were single servers. A hundred years later fish serving forks were added to form a fish serving set. They are still being made today but in far fewer numbers.
Antique Silver fish servers Design:
The very early single bladed fish servers were often symmetrical, pierced, and resembled trowels. Later examples from the 19th century were assymetrical with curved blades. Later Victorian versions often had matching serving forks. Early servers had contiguous silver handles, and later versions were made with a composite of silver blade and tines, with either ivory or mother-of-pearl handles. Presentation boxes with velvet and satin-lined interiors are quite common with the Victorian versions.
Antique Silver fish servers Collectors Note:
Unusual examples with finely pierced and engraved decoration are sought after, especially with fish motifs. Carved ivory or mother-of-pearl handles were often works of art in themselves. If the service consists of a knife and fork then the hallmarks must match. If the set has knife-handles (i.e. they have a separately made handle as opposed to a contiguous piece of silver) then there should be a corresponding mark as well. Also look closely at the pierced areas to make sure that there are no missing or cracked pieces. Presentation boxes are often in bad condition but help keep the items in good condition.