Late 19th Century Danish Silver Forks with Anthemion Finials
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Finial - An architectural decoration, found on the upper parts of of an object. On furniture they are usually found on pediments, canopies and shelf supports. On smaller ceramic or silver items, such as spoons, they may decorate the top of the item itself, or the lid or cover where they provide a useful handle for removal.
Finials have a variety of shapes and forms. They may be urn-shaped, baluster shaped round or spiral, but usually taper into an upper point. Many real life shapes may also be used as finials, such as pineapples, berries, pinecones, buds, lotus and acorns. Sometimes animals such as a lion are depicted, or fish and dolphins. - Anthemion - An anthemion is a classical decorative design element based on the acanthus flower that consists of a central circular or oval motif surrounded by radiating petals or leaves. It is often used as a border or frieze in architecture, furniture, and other decorative arts. The anthemion is derived from the palmette, a motif that was popular in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. It is often associated with the classical world and with Neoclassical style, and it is often used to add a sense of grandeur and formality to a design. The anthemion is also known as a honeysuckle or honeysuckle ornament. It continues to be used in a variety of contexts today, and it is often admired for its elegant and decorative qualities.
- Assay / Assayed - Assaying is the testing of a metal, most commonly silver and gold to determine its ingredients and quality. In Britain, once an item of silver or gold has been assayed, a mark is stamped on it, certifying its purity. Known as hallmark, it derives its name from the Guild Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company, who recieved its Charter in 1327 giving it the power to assay and mark articles of gold and silver.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
Set of six George III sterling silver table forks, hallmarked London, 1807, Eley fern & Chawner, in fiddle and thread pattern, with monogram, total weight 511 grams (6)
A Thirty piece Soviet Russian 875 silver cutlery set, after 1958, Kiev, with unidentified maker's mark, comprising twelve dessert spoons, twelve knives and six forks all with foliate designs and geometric patterns to the finials and throats; hallmarked wit
A sterling silver 96 pcs flatware service mid 20th century, by Edward Viner, Sheffield. The set comprises of: 12 dinner knives (stainless blades) 12 dinner forks 12 bread knives (stainless blades) 12 dessert forks 12 dessert spoons 12 soup spoons 12 fish k
Set of eleven Victorian sterling silver entree forks, hallmarked, London, 1846, George William Adams of Chauner & Co, engraved with crest and coronet for Count Montemerli Sandonini, total weight 616gm, (11)