Seymour 'Square Handle Engraved' 1882 Pair Sterling Silver Fruit Forks

A prominent Syracuse, New York silver manufacturer with a history that spanned the second half of the 19th century and lasted until early into the 20th century, Joseph Seymour produced a number of flatware patterns in coin and sterling silver.

The Square Handled Engraved pattern on these two matching 5 5/8" long, 1.13 T. oz. combined, forks is one that does not have clear design parallels, either with Seymour or other firms.

The handle is flat, and as the name implies, has straight sides and a square cornered end.

The front surface is engraved in a leaf and vine design with Aesthetic detailing set on a satin matte ground.

The style is reminiscent of Eastlake, befitting of its 1885 date of issue.

These are particularly early examples marked "Pat. Appl'd For," along with Seymour's "S in a shield" emblem and "Sterling."

Their age is further corroborated by the "1882" engraved on the handle fronts in block lettering. The name "Andrews" appears on the reverses rendered in script.

The shank has beveled edges front and backs sides, resulting in a diamond like form.

These have three lengthy, 1 7/8", tines that are extensively bright cut engraved in the heels in a pattern that mirrors the work on the handles. The surfaces front and back are matte finish.

The outer two tines are notched and overall these are some similar to oyster forks but larger and are likely fruit forks (by way of comparison, William Hood in Tiffany Silver Flatware illustrates an "unusual three tine fruit fork" slightly longer than this in Vine, figure 292, page 196).

In effectively unused condition, the engraving remains crisp and well defined, while there are no bends, nicks, or burrs on the tines.

See Old Friends item 5509f for a jelly server in this pattern.