John Round pocket fruit knife, 1904

Description

John Round made his name as a silver plater and established himself in business in 1847.

His business had a rocky ride and went into receivership in 1870 but bounced back under new management and traded successfully well into the 20th century. His workshop was in Tudor street, Sheffield where he produced fine silver fruit knives from the 1860s until just after the turn of the 20th century.

This gentle sleeveboard shaped example is 2 3/4 inches closed and is made with brass liners, longitudinally carved mother-of-pearl scales, with matching silvered bolsters, a tooled silver back bar sleeve and a solid silver blade. The blade has four hallmarks: Sheffield crown, date letter “m” for 1904, lion passant and the maker’s mark “JR” inside an oval.

The knife is in very good condition and comes with its original case which is in worn, but good condition.