Lovely Antique Sheathed Sterling Silver Scissors English * Circa 1840 These wonderfully ornate sterling silver (tested) handled embr...
Lovely Antique Sheathed Sterling Silver Scissors
English * Circa 1840
These wonderfully ornate sterling silver (tested) handled embroidery scissors and their matching sterling sheath were made in England, probably by Joseph Taylor of Birmingham. English silversmiths didn't mark small items (and have to pay duty on them) until required to by law in the early 1880s. The shanks are decorated with leafy floral designs and the bows are embossed around with flowers and leaves. The sheath has the same designs.
The blades are tight with needle sharp points and they still have their original polished surface. They cut very well. The silver on both the scissors and sheath is in excellent condition with no dents, splits or loss. The scissors measure 3 3/4" long (3 7/8" in the sheath). They may have been part of a boxed set of tools. Silver scissors in this style are shown in sets on pp. 128-29 of Nerylla Taunton's book Antique Needlework Tools and Embroideries. Several pairs in some of Taylor's other patterns are on pp. 108-109 of Gay Ann Rogers' book An Illustrated History of Needlework Tools.
PRICETAG: $ 420.00
