Southern coin silver fish servers, New Orleans c.1850

This is a very attractive set, of fish knife and fork, by Hyde & Goodrich, New Orleans c.1850. The knife has a pierced blade profusely engraved with scrolls and floral decoration around a vignette of an island scene. The fork blade too is similarly densely engraved on both sides. The handle of each is double-struck with a reeded decoration ending in an upturned oval terminal. The original monogram has been expertly removed before the existing one was engraved. It is unfortunate but it is not at all unsightly and hardly noticeable. The rarity of the article and the quality of the workmanship far outweighs this slight slur. Dimensions: Knife: 11.25", fork: 8.75".