Sterling & Mother-of-Pearl Fruit Knives with EPNS Preserve Spoon, 3 Pcs

A three-piece grouping of Victorian-era tableware pairing carved mother-of-pearl handles with silver and silverplate. The two matched fruit knives carry sterling collars stamped "STERLING," with beaded and scrolled repoussé ferrules seating the pale, iridescent handles against curved blades. The single preserve spoon is EPNS (electroplated nickel silver), maker-marked "EPNS HW" at the neck, with a leaf-form bowl bright-cut with a floral spray and a cast dragon-and-scroll finial where the metal meets the pearl grip.

Sets of this type furnished the late-19th-century dessert table, where mother-of-pearl was favored for fruit service because it did not react with acidic juices. The knives share their collar pattern and appear to have been made as a pair; the spoon is a complementary rather than identical piece, its plated bowl and ornamental handle terminal marking it as a separate but sympathetic maker. All three retain their carved pearl handles intact.

CONDITION

Good overall. All pieces carry heavy tarnish and surface toning throughout — polishing is left to the buyer. The spoon bowl shows darkened patina and light wear to the bright-cut engraving; knife blades show scattered scratches and staining. Mother-of-pearl handles are sound with characteristic natural veining.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Spoon: 6 1/2" L × 1.26" W × 0.40" D
• Knives (each): 5 6/16" L × 0.55" W × 0.37" D
• Knife collars: Sterling, marked "STERLING"
• Spoon: EPNS (electroplated nickel silver), marked "EPNS HW"
• Handles: Mother-of-pearl
• Count: 3 pieces (2 knives + 1 spoon)