Antique 1855 Victorian 36-Piece Mother of Pearl Dessert Set & Case For Sale

• Condition: Used / Antique

• Type: Dessert Service / Fruit Set

• Era: Victorian (1855)

• Material: Silver-Plated Steel, Mother of Pearl

• Set Includes: 18 Dessert Forks, 18 Dessert Knives, Original Folding Wood & Velvet Case, Original 1951 Provenance Receipt

• Brand/Maker: Unmarked (Appraised by Martin & Co. Ltd., Cheltenham)

• Item Location: Broomfield, Colorado

A True Piece of 19th-Century Dining HistoryOffered for sale is a breathtaking 36-piece Victorian dessert and fruit service, dating back to 1855. Unlike standard flatware, dessert eaters from this era were specialized luxury items, crafted to prevent fruit acids from tarnishing standard metal.

This massive set features incredibly detailed, hand-chased floral and botanical engravings on the silver-plated steel blades. The handles are crafted from genuine, luminous mother-of-pearl, providing a heavy, balanced feel and a striking visual contrast.

Exceptional Presentation & ProvenanceWhat truly sets this collection apart is the inclusion of its original 1951 appraisal receipt from the highly prestigious Martin & Co. Ltd. Diamond & Pearl Merchants located on the Promenade in Cheltenham, England. The receipt, dated October 1951, serves as a licensed valuation, officially dating the set to 1855.

The set is housed in a magnificent, custom-fitted wooden canteen. The box features a unique folding-wing design with three separate tiers lined in vibrant, high-contrast blue velvet, making it a spectacular display piece for any antique collection or dining room sideboard.

Set Breakdown (36 Total Cutlery Pieces):

• 18 x Mother-of-Pearl Dessert Knives

• 18 x Mother-of-Pearl Dessert Forks

• 1 x Three-Tiered Folding Wooden Presentation Case

• 1 x Original 1951 Martin & Co. Ltd. Appraisal Receipt

Please review all photographs carefully, as they represent the exact item you will receive and serve as part of the visual description. The set is sold as-is, reflecting its authentic antique status.

Excellent antique condition. This 170-year-old set has been carefully, non-destructively cleaned and lightly polished to restore its display luster. The silver-plated blades and tines exhibit brilliant, intricate floral chasing, with only minor, age-appropriate wear and microscopic thinning to the plating on select contact points. The solid mother-of-pearl handles retain a stunning, iridescent shine with no major cracks or missing pieces. The original three-tiered, folding wooden presentation case is structurally sound and features vibrant blue velvet lining, though the exterior wooden lid displays a natural age crack down the center (see photos). The hinges and brass cartouche are fully intact (no case key included).

• Note to buyer: Do not submerge these pieces in water or place them in a dishwasher. Clean only with a dry or very slightly damp cloth to preserve the 1855 internal pitch.

• Returns: Item is sold AS-IS with a no return policy. Please review all photographs and descriptions carefully before purchasing, as they represent the exact condition of the antique set.