Carrington & Co. Fluted Sterling Silver Handle Table Knife with Stainless Steel Blade
Flatware - Table Knife / Dinner Knife · Carrington & Co. A prestigious British luxury jeweler and silversmith firm based in London, known for high-end royal warrants, luxury tableware, and silverware during the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Pattern: Fluted / Reeded Classical Column Pattern, a timeless traditional design often produced in British Victorian and Edwardian table services.
Type
Flatware - Table Knife / Dinner Knife
Maker
Carrington & Co. A prestigious British luxury jeweler and silversmith firm based in London, known for high-end royal warrants, luxury tableware, and silverware during the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) handle with a modern stainless steel blade inset into a filled, reinforced hollow handle structure.
Dimensions
Standard table knife size, approximately 23 to 25 cm in length, with typical balanced weight for a filled-handle knife.
Description
An elegant British silver-handled table knife featuring a beautifully fluted cylindrical handle crafted in sterling silver by the esteemed firm Carrington & Co. The piece couples a refined traditional handle design with a durable stainless steel blade, exemplifying the high standards of late 19th to early 20th-century British dining silver.
Key Features
Distinguished by Carrington & Co.'s signature luxury craftsmanship, classic vertical fluting down the handle, clear British hallmarks near the bolster, and a sturdy stainless steel blade replacement or upgrade.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) handle with a modern stainless steel blade inset into a filled, reinforced hollow handle structure.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish on the stainless steel blade, highly polished bright vertical fluting along the tapering cylindrical silver handle.
Hallmarks & Stamps
British hallmarks visible near the bolster, including the maker's mark (likely Carrington & Co.), lion passant for sterling silver (.925), a town mark (such as the leopard's head for London), and a date letter stamp.
Construction Details
Hollow-formed silver handle filled with a dense stabilizing compound to provide heft and balance, fitted with a secured steel bolster and a stainless steel blade inserted and pinned or cemented into the handle socket.
Functional Features
Standard table knife designed for cutting food at formal or casual dining settings, featuring a balanced weighted handle and a straight-edge stainless blade.
Handle & Grip Details
Cylindrical, slightly tapering hollow silver handle featuring vertical fluting for enhanced grip and visual elegance, securely joined to a metal bolster.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality British silversmithing featuring crisp, evenly struck vertical fluting, clean solder joints at the bolster, and robust structural integration of the handle core.
Authentication Indicators
Clear British hallmark stamps near the handle bolster, consistent weight distribution of a period-appropriate filled handle, and precise execution of the fluting details.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England, manufactured in traditional British silversmithing workshops utilizing classical metal spinning, stamping, and assembly techniques.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to Edwardian Period (circa 1880-1910), indicated by the classic fluted column motif and standard British hallmark practices of the era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1890-1910, determined by the style of the hallmarks, the transition to stainless steel blades, and the classic fluted aesthetic.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the formal dining traditions of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, where matched silver flatware sets underscored domestic wealth, social status, and refined hospitality.
Condition Notes
Very good antique condition. The handle shows minor surface wear and light tarnish consistent with age and gentle polishing. The stainless steel blade is clean and securely attached with no noticeable looseness or wobble.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $45 and $120 USD per individual knife, depending on the completeness of a larger set, exact hallmark dating, and overall preservation condition.
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only with mild soap and warm water; never submerge filled silver handles in hot water or run through an automatic dishwasher. Polish the silver handle gently with a specialized silver cream and a soft microfiber cloth.
Similar Pieces
Similar silver-handled knives produced by contemporary British makers such as Elkington & Co., Mappin & Webb, or Walker & Hall, differing primarily in maker's marks and handle motif variations.
Interesting Facts
Carrington & Co. frequently retailed and manufactured exquisite jewelry and silver items for high-society clientele and members of the British royal family, making their marked pieces highly desirable to collectors.