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ID #SA1044757
FOR SALE
£195
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Victorian Silver Tortoiseshell Letter Opener Birmingham 1881
For sale by Aramis Antiques
for sale €228     $248
£195
Aramis Antiques

Aramis Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
Browse dealers 201 items
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Id #SA1044757
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Victorian Silver Tortoiseshell Letter Opener Birmingham 1881

19th century
For Sale by Aramis Antiques
Description

A Victorian silver handle and tortoiseshell letter opener with hallmarks for Birmingham 1881. The handle is made in a spiralling cornucopia shape which fits the palm of the hand very comfortably. The combination of silver and tortoiseshell was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. The tortoiseshell shaft has a lovely varied brown and gold colour with no damage. The silver handle has a couple of tiny dents at the tip consistent with use but there are no breaks or splits in the silver, which is intact. A beautiful desk accessory for use by either a lady or gent.

Physical Dimensions
Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
2.8cm (1.10")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Aramis Antiques has dated this Silver Tortoiseshell Letter Opener to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1044757
Dealers Notes

We are happy to discuss your enquiries by phone, What’s App or email. We can arrange delivery of larger items for you by professional and reliable couriers - please contact us for a delivery cost. The charge for postage/packing of smaller items in the UK is £12 and Europe £22. Please enquire for delivery charges outside UK and Europe. Whenever possible we use a Signed For or Special Delivery postal service. We take great care and see it as a priority to pack items safely and securely.

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Description
A Victorian silver handle and tortoiseshell letter opener with hallmarks for Birmingham 1881.
“
The handle is made in a spiralling cornucopia shape which fits the palm of the hand very comfortably.
Aramis Antiques

The combination of silver and tortoiseshell was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. The tortoiseshell shaft has a lovely varied brown and gold colour with no damage. The silver handle has a couple of tiny dents at the tip consistent with use but there are no breaks or splits in the silver, which is intact. A beautiful desk accessory for use by either a lady or gent.

Height
20cm (7.87")
Width
2.8cm (1.10")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Aramis Antiques has dated this Silver Tortoiseshell Letter Opener to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1044757
Aramis Antiques
Aramis Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Aramis Antiques Profile Page

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A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade.
1 / 12
Archive I A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade.

Victorian Silver Tortoiseshell Letter Opener Birmingham 1881

Archive II A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View II
Archive III A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View III
Archive IV A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View IV
Archive V A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View V
Archive VI A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View IX
Archive X A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View X
Archive XI A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Aramis Antiques

Aramis Antiques
Telephone 07878 506107
Location
Surrey
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/aramisantiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 201
Items Sold 518
Aramis Antiques
Aramis Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/aramisantiques
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
201
Sold
518
A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade.
Victorian silver tortoiseshell letter opener Birmingham 1881
Ref: SA1044757
A Victorian letter opener with a spiral-fluted silver handle and a dark brown tortoiseshell blade.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectLetter Openers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSilver, Tortoiseshell
  • ColourSilver, Dark Brown
  • MotifsSpiral fluting, Curved handle, Flat blade
  • SizeH 20 cm (8 in) x W 2.8 cm (1 in) x D 2 cm (1 in)

This Victorian letter opener, dating from the late 19th century in the Victorian style, combines a dark brown and gold tortoiseshell blade with a bright silver handle. The object displays a flat blade joined by silver mounts to a curved, spirally fluted handle shaped like a cornucopia, with tiny dents visible at the tip and rivet details near the junction. The piece measures 20 cm high, 2.8 cm wide, and 2 cm deep. In a modern home, this accessory sits practically on an office desk to open correspondence, serving as a functional tool within a gentleman's library or study setup. The combination of materials offers a tactile desk accessory suitable for daily use by either a lady or gentleman.

FAQs

Popularised during the nineteenth century, these implements were used to slit unopened mail and separate uncut pages in freshly bound books and periodicals.

Makers frequently combined silver handles, often hallmarked, with blades crafted from natural materials such as tortoiseshell, bone, mother-of-pearl, or ivory.

Authentic pieces usually feature official British hallmarks denoting the assay office, silver purity mark, date letter, and makers mark struck into the metal handle.

Displaying the piece alongside leather-bound books, stationery trays, or leather blotters on an office desk or library table adds historical character.

Polish the silver handle gently with a soft microfibre cloth, while keeping the tortoiseshell blade away from direct heat, sunlight, and excess moisture to prevent warping.
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