posted 04-20-1999 01:42 AM            

Special Features

Probably the oldest pattern available with a place setting of four or more pieces. The pre 1750 Hanoverian is distinguished by the characteristic "rat tail" on the bowls of the spoons and three pronged forks. The pre 1720 pieces are the most interesting as they are of Britannia ( .950) Standard, and the marks are easily worn. The Rat Tail was revived again at the end of the 19th Century and modern settings are common. Hanoverian did continue during the remainder of the 18th century but with the rat tail removed. The characteristic "rib" on the front of the pieces slowly began to fade away as time went on, atrophying to just a blip at the tip by 1800. Note that the handles of the both the spoons and forks in Hanoverian are "turned up" which means that the open bowl of the spoons was facing upward as distinct from the later "Old English" and Fiddle where the handles of the spoons were "turned down" so that the bowl was placed face down on the table.

Dating

The complete Hallmarks found on English silver allow a precise dating to the nearest two years as well as the maker and place of origin. Most of the pieces shown here are ca 1715. My dessert fork is a "cheater" being made in 1812 to replace a missing piece in the Baron of Scarsdale's service.

Pieces Available
Size My Cost
tablespoon 8 � " $180.00
Dessert Spoon 6 �" $225.00
Teaspoon 4 �" $160.00
Dinner Fork 7 �" $240.00
Dessert Fork 6 1/8" $140.00 ( genuine ca 1715 $300- $450.00)

There were no knives of the pattern, pistol grip knives being used in this era.
Pistol Grip Knife 10" $100.00

Photo:

Key Pieces

As not all services included dessert forks and spoons these are the hardest to find with the dessert fork hardest of all and selling for perhaps 2 times the dinner fork.

Comments

It is very rewarding to own 250+ year old flatware that is accurately datable. It is remarkable how well silver ages. Therefore the date mark is the most important to be legible. All the forks and spoons were Purchased over the net through Schredd's of Portobello in London.

posted 04-15-2000 03:25 PM            

Pickford points out that in the next generation, "Old English", the ends of the handles were turned down and therefore the bowls of the spoons pointed upward as is the custom today.

I would assume that since they did not change the forks, that these were still placed face down. Shown below are spoons and forks from Hanovarian on the right side and Old English on the left side. .
Note you can see the monograms with Hanovarian pointed down, while in Old English the mono is visible with the spoon pointed up and the fork pointed down.

Now I assume that today the English place their silver with the tips pointing up like we do, but I do not know. Are there any English collectors out there who know this story from first hand experience?