F. Hoffmann, Phila., 'Shell' Large Coin Silver Master Butter Knife

Relative large, this coin silver master butter knife measures 7 3/4" long and weighs a commensurately heavy 1.3 T. oz.

Elegantly designed, it has a lengthy, slender, handle that has high, double swell, chamfered fins off the blade. The end is fiddle shaped and features a raised shell motif.

The blade is somewhat short at 2 7/8" long and wide at 1 1/8". It has a blunt end and curved upper edge with a notch toward the tip.

It has an implied provenance in that the front of the handle is engraved "E.W.G." in Old English lettering, while the backside has a leaf script "T" monogram. The "E.W.G." has a faint bit of softening from polishing, so may be the older of the two, with the "T," which is entirely crisp, representing a subsequent owner.

It is marked "F. Hoffmann" for Frederick Hoffmann who, according to Catherine Hollan in Philadelphia Silversmiths was born in Prussia, learned his trade in Paris, then settled in New York City in 1816 and relocated to Philadelphia in the same year. He was a partner there for one year, 1837, with Conrad Bard and apparently otherwise worked on his own in a variety of trades.

A quality item from a relatively rare source, this remains in excellent condition. It is free of bends, scuffs, or nicks and shows a bright finish.