Chawner & Co | Old English Pattern | Part Sterling Silver Flatware Set | London | 1863

A set of silver flatware carries more than its weight — it carries the memory of every table it has graced, every hand that has held it, every meal that mattered.

Chawner & Co was one of the most productive and consistently respected firms in the London silver trade. Operating from Foster Lane in the City, the business passed through several hands across the nineteenth century, eventually coming under the direction of George Adams, whose GA mark — struck at the London assay office — is among the most frequently encountered on high-quality Victorian flatware. The firm supplied the trade extensively, but without sacrificing the standards that ensured its work remained in demand across generations.

The Old English pattern, with its plain tapering handles and characteristic upturned rounded terminal, is one of the enduring workhorse designs of the British table. Introduced in the eighteenth century, it remained in continuous production well into the Victorian period precisely because it prioritised balance, comfort, and durability over ornament. It sits well, balances well, and wears well.

This part set comprises twenty-one pieces: four serving spoons, seven dinner forks, two smaller forks, four dessert spoons, and four teaspoons. Each piece follows the Old English form without interruption — plain tapering handles flaring gently toward the bowl or tines, terminating in the characteristic rounded upturned end. The finish across the set is consistent and well-matched.

Each piece is engraved to the reverse with an interlaced Victorian monogram cypher, executed in a florid style with intertwined lettering set within a decorative surround. The hallmarks are struck clearly and read with confidence: lion passant (sterling), leopard’s head (London), date letter for 1863, and the GA maker’s mark for George Adams of Chawner & Co.

The pieces show honest wear consistent with over 160 years of use — light surface scratching to the handles and minimal bowl wear to the spoons, as expected for working silver of this period. There are no repairs, splits, or visible solder lines. The hallmarks remain crisp, and the monograms are intact across the set. The set is not cased. Total confirmed silver weight is 1,228 grams.

Key Details

•  Maker: Chawner & Co (George Adams)
•  Assay Office: London (leopard’s head mark)
•  Date: 1863
•  Pattern: Old English
•  Material: Sterling silver
•  Pieces: 21 (four serving spoons, seven dinner forks, two smaller forks, four dessert spoons, four teaspoons)
•  Total Silver Weight: 1,228 g
•  Monogram: Interlaced Victorian cypher, engraved to handle reverse
•  Cased: No
•  Condition: Good — honest age-consistent wear; light surface scratching and minimal bowl wear; no repairs or splits; hallmarks crisp and clear

Collector Appeal

A substantial and well-matched Victorian flatware grouping by a respected London maker, this set offers both practical usability and intrinsic silver value. It will appeal to collectors of English silver, as well as those seeking a functional antique service with weight and presence. As a part set, it provides an excellent foundation for building a larger service over time or for use as a complete working table set in its current form. The strong total silver weight further enhances its desirability to buyers who value both craftsmanship and material worth.

Silver made for use rather than display has a different quality to it — a directness that outlasts fashion, and a weight in the hand that no amount of later sentiment can replicate.