Villiers & Jackson large pocket fruit knife, 1902

Description

Villiers & Jackson was a silversmith partnership founded by Joseph Villiers and Walter Jackson around 1880.

The partnership was dissolved in 1883 after which Walter Jackson continued the business under the name Villiers & Jackson. As well as being prolific makers of pocket fruit knives, the firm was also renowned for cigarette holders and propelling pencils. The firm continued until around 1940.

This large pocket fruit knife was made in 1902. It has a sleeveboard shaped body and is made with brass liners, rounded mother-of-pearl scales, and inlaid shield-shaped cartouche, engraved silvered bolsters, a very finely tooled silver back bar sleeve and a solid silver spearpoint blade.

The blade has four hallmarks from the Sheffield Assay Office: the crown, lion passant, “V&J” maker’s mark and date letter ‘k’ for 1902.

This splendid pocket fruit knife is in excellent condition and it comes with its original silk lined kidskin clip-top purse which remains in good condition.