M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS
SET OF ELEVEN GEORGE III SILVER PISTOL-HANDLED DESSERT (CHEESE) FORKS
A Straight Set, William Abdy I, c1765, Crested for
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The silver pistol hafts with scrolling acanthus leaf caps and reeded ferrules,
below the original carbon steel two tine forks with elegant baluster shaft;
crested to the handle for the baronetcy family of Style.
It may be blazoned as follows:
Crest : A wolf's head couped sable collared or the lower part of the neck fretty of the last
(The engraver has lightly engraved the fretty on the lower part of the next whereas it should have
engraved more heavily as depicted on the full achievement of the family of Style, Baronets of Wateringbury.)
Two-tine forks are a carry-over from the earlier centuries,
when most foods were eaten with the fingers or a spoon.
The third tine was added for sweetmeats and sticky fruits in the early 17th century,
and for dinner and desserts only in the very late 17th century – actually more in the early 18th.
This smaller version is of "dessert" rather the larger "dinner" size.
It is often referred to as a "cheese" fork.
Condition : Excellent, with very little staining to the carbon steel; hafts also with very minor wear;
good makers marks
6.75" Long / 15.7 oz., Total Weight
SOLD
#7239
Please Inquire
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The Crest of the Family of Style
Given the presumed date of manufacture of these dessert (or cheese) forks,
they were probably in the possession of a gentleman of the Style family who were Baronets of Wateringbury in the County of Kent.
The two likely candidates would have been Sir Thomas Style (died 11th January 1769), the 4th Baronet of Wateringbury
or his eldest son, Sir Charles Style (died 18th April 1774).
Sir Thomas was the youngest son and only son of Sir Thomas Style, the 2nd Baronet of Wateringbury from his second marriage to Margaret Twisden (died 5th December 1718), the daughter of Sir Thomas Twisden,
the 1st Baronet of Brabourne in the County of Kent and his wife, Jane Tomlinson;
whilst Sir Charles Style married The Honourable Isabella Wingfield (died 24th September 1808),
the youngest daughter of Richard Wingfield, the 1st Viscount Powerscourt and his second wife, Dorothy Rowley.
The family of Style stemmed from Sir Humphrey Style, of Langley in the County of
Kent and his wife, Bridget Baldrey, the daughter of Sir Thomas Baldrey. Sir
Humphrey served as High Sheriff of Kent in 1543 during the reign of King Henry
VIII, he also served as one of the Esquires of the Body of that monarch.
The
Baronetcy was created within the Baronetage of England on 21st April 1627 by King Charles I.
Heraldry by John Tunesi of Liongam
MSc, FSA Scot, Hon FHS, QG |
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William Abdy Silver Handled Knife, 1769, with William Abdy Dessert (Cheese) Fork c1765
See Also :
Straight Set of 17 George III Silver-Handled Dinner & Dessert Knives,
William Abdy I, c1769, with incuse mark WA,
Consisting of 11 Desserts and 6 Dinners
We welcome and encourage
all inquiries regarding our stock. We will make every attempt to answer any questions you might
have.
For
information, call (901) 761-1163 or (901) 827-4668, or
Email : mfcreech@bellsouth.net or mfordcreech@gmail.com
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M. Ford Creech Antiques & Fine Arts / 581
South Perkins Road / Memphis,
TN 38117 / USA /
Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment
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