Art Deco 158 Piece Canteen of Cutlery

An Art Deco 158 piece canteen of silver plate cutlery housed in its four drawer free standing cabinet. A 12 place set, each consisting of twelve pieces, accompanied by a large ladle, a serving knife and fork, 6 serving spoons, 2 meat forks, 2 meat knives and a knife sharpener. Made by the highly regarded company, Joseph Rodgers and Sons, the holder of five Royal Warrants.

The cabinet in oak and each drawer with a pair of phenolic cream and brown diamond shape handles.

Joseph Rodgers & Sons

Founded in Sheffield in 1682 specialising in pocket knives. It was under Joseph in the 19th

Century that the firm developed its height of success employing over 1500.

They held Royal warrants for five successive British sovereigns: George IV, William IV,

Queen Victoria, Edward II and George V.

Not only did they use the royal crest but they incorporated their own stamp symbols of a

Star & Cross Moline, part of their company’s traditional trademark. The mark became the

most famous cutlery mark and most copied. The firm spent heavily in the courts

prosecuting fraudulent users of the mark or those attempting to trade off the magic name.

Following their first royal appointment the firm opened its first showroom to celebrate their most impressive wares.

Inspired by showrooms' success, Rodgers soon began ambitious manufacturing projects, which showcased their high quality craftsmanship. One of these creations, the Norfolk Knife, was made for the 1851 Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace, London. The work took two years to complete, and features blades with etchings of Queen Victoria and

Chatsworth House. The Norfolk Knife remains on display in The Cutlers Hall, in Sheffield.

This was a sportsman’s knife with 75 blades and tools, which in its display position was

over 30-inches [76 cm] long. A dazzling variety of punches, gimlets and hooks protruded

from the back of the knife; while on the other side, a series of acid-etched master blades

opened out like a fan. The total cost was £900 (£106,000 at todays prices) – a considerable sum in the 1850s.

Continuing to grow they began exporting to Asia, Africa & America. It is claimed that

Buffalo Bill, the famous 19th Century American cowboy, used a Rodgers hunting knife in his well-known duel with the Native American, Sitting Bull.

Despite its well claimed success, when the cutlery industry declined in the mid 20th

Century, they sold out eventually to the Eggington group - who retain the rights to use the Joseph and Rodger’s trademark.

Height: 78.5cm

Width: 80.5cm

Depth: 40.5cm

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