Viners of Sheffield | Six Fruit Knives | Mother-of-Pearl Handles | Sterling Silver Cuffs | Cased | c.1920s–1930s

A fruit knife set in its original case is one of those objects that arrives at the table already carrying the weight of every occasion it was kept for.

Viners of Sheffield was established in 1908 and grew to become one of England’s most significant cutlery manufacturers, holding a royal warrant by appointment to George V. Sheffield’s reputation as the centre of English cutlery production rested on the concentration of specialist trades — blade forging, handle fitting, polishing, and casing — and Viners operated at the quality end of the market. Fruit knife sets with mother-of-pearl handles and sterling silver cuffs were prestige products of the period, presented cased for gifting and intended for the dessert course. The survival of a complete set in its original case in this condition is increasingly uncommon.

Each knife features a stainless steel blade with a finely serrated edge, a sterling silver cuff marked accordingly, and a full mother-of-pearl handle with the characteristic iridescence and natural figuring of the material. The cuffs carry delicate foliate or scrollwork decoration in low relief. The blades are etched with the Viners of Sheffield name. The set is presented in its original fitted case, with a black leatherette exterior and brass clasp, lined in cream satin with a blue satin label on the lid recording the royal warrant by appointment to King George V.

All six knives are present. The blades are in mint, unused condition. The mother-of-pearl handles are intact with no chips or losses. The case interior is fully preserved with no tears, while the exterior shows age-consistent wear.

Key Details

•  Maker: Viners of Sheffield, England
•  Royal Warrant: By Appointment to King George V (label present in case lid)
•  Blades: Stainless steel, finely serrated, etched with maker’s name
•  Cuffs: Sterling silver, marked
•  Handles: Mother-of-pearl
•  Quantity: Six knives, complete
•  Case: Original fitted leatherette case with cream satin lining and brass clasp
•  Period: c.1920s–1930s
•  Condition: Mint — all six knives present; blades unused; handles intact; case interior fully preserved; exterior with age-consistent wear

Collector Appeal

A fine example of early twentieth-century English cutlery, this Viners fruit knife set appeals to collectors of Sheffield silver, cased cutlery, and Art Deco–era tableware. Complete with original case, pristine mother-of-pearl handles, and sterling silver cuffs, it is a rare survivor of a prestigious gift-market form and a desirable display or usable set.

Sheffield made things to be used, but this set was kept instead — which is its own testimony to the quality and appeal of the craftsmanship.