What was the historical purpose of Georgian cutlery boxes?

In the eighteenth century, cutlery boxes or knife boxes were displayed on dining room sideboards to store fine flatware, serving both as functional storage and as status symbols during formal meals.

What materials were traditionally used in 18th-century knife boxes?

These boxes were predominantly crafted from dense mahogany or satinwood, often featuring delicate stringing, wood marquetry, or cast silver mounts and escutcheons.

How can one identify authentic Georgian mahogany cutlery boxes?

Authentic eighteenth-century examples feature hand-dovetailed joinery, original metal mounts, minor age-related timber shrinkage, and slant-front hinged lids designed to access slotted internal dividers.

How can antique cutlery boxes be styled in modern interiors?

Positioning a pair of knife boxes symmetrically on a contemporary sideboard, console table, or mantelpiece adds structural balance, rich wood tones, and historical character to modern living spaces.

How should antique mahogany boxes with silver mounts be maintained?

Keep the timber conditioned using a high-quality beeswax polish while avoiding modern solvent sprays, and polish the silver mounts carefully using a soft cloth to avoid damaging the surrounding wood finish.

for sale €4,973 $5,398

£4,250

LVS Decorative Arts

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Georgian Cutlery Urn

Mahogany Cutlery Box

George III Knife Box

Id #SA1201423

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Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

Name: Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1201423
Price: 4250 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A rare pair of late 18th century (circa 1790) George III bow front mahogany cutlery boxes with fine quality solid silver mounts, of narrow proportions and of superb patina.

The cutlery boxes each consist of a sloping lid with ebonised edge with a fine quality and finely worked solid silver handle to the centre with engraved family crest of 'a lion’s gamb with tilted lance' believed to be that of the Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees family, further information on this below.

This leads down to a finely worked central solid silver lockplate, the lid opening to reveal the original red velvet fitted interior to one, the other with red velvet lining for storage of your choice, with solid silver hinges to the rear and solid silver carrying handles to either side.

The cutlery boxes are each supported by three finely worked solid silver ball and claw feet.

We have sourced independent advice from a Heraldic specialist regarding the crest engraved on the silver mounts, this appears to be that of the family of Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees.

The crest depicts ‘a lion’s gamb erect and erased grasping a tilting lance point downwards proper’.

This pair of knife boxes may have been owned by Edward Majoribanks of Hallyards and Lees (born circa 1735 – 1815).

Edward succeeded as heir to the Lees estate in May 1770, the family were later created Baronets within the Baronetage of the United Kingdon in 1815.

The full Heraldic Report can be provided on purchase of the pair of cutlery boxes.

Most of the solid silver mounts display hallmarks of a lion passant meaning English sterling silver and a makers mark of ‘I.W’ – with both our own and independent research we think this is probably the London based silversmith John Whittingham (active around 1785-1800) who was known as a ‘small worker’ meaning he produced fine quality small items of silver such as mounts for boxes and decanter labels etc.

During our research we have also found some mahogany cutlery boxes with almost identical solid silver mounts by the silversmith Lewis Fueter, some of these cutlery boxes being in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, USA.

This pair of cutlery boxes are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Sizes:

Height: 14.4'' / 36.5cm

Width: 9'' / 23cm

Depth: 6.25'' / 16cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

36.5cm (14.37")

Width

23cm (9.06")

Depth

16cm (6.30")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Georgian Mahogany Knife Box to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1201423

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS1505

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

A rare pair of late 18th century (circa 1790) George III bow front mahogany cutlery boxes with fine quality solid silver mounts, of narrow proportions and of superb patina.

The cutlery boxes each consist of a sloping lid with ebonised edge with a fine quality and finely worked solid silver handle to the centre with engraved family crest of 'a lion’s gamb with tilted lance' believed to be that of the Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees family, further information on this below.

fig 1. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 1. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

This leads down to a finely worked central solid silver lockplate, the lid opening to reveal the original red velvet fitted interior to one, the other with red velvet lining for storage of your choice, with solid silver hinges to the rear and solid silver carrying handles to either side.

fig 2. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 2. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

The cutlery boxes are each supported by three finely worked solid silver ball and claw feet.

“

We have sourced independent advice from a Heraldic specialist regarding the crest engraved on the silver mounts, this appears to be that of the family of Marjoribanks of Hallyards and Lees.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 3. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 3. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

The crest depicts ‘a lion’s gamb erect and erased grasping a tilting lance point downwards proper’.

This pair of knife boxes may have been owned by Edward Majoribanks of Hallyards and Lees (born circa 1735 – 1815).

fig 4. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 4. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

Edward succeeded as heir to the Lees estate in May 1770, the family were later created Baronets within the Baronetage of the United Kingdon in 1815.

The full Heraldic Report can be provided on purchase of the pair of cutlery boxes.

fig 5. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 5. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

Most of the solid silver mounts display hallmarks of a lion passant meaning English sterling silver and a makers mark of ‘I.W’ – with both our own and independent research we think this is probably the London based silversmith John Whittingham (active around 1785-1800) who was known as a ‘small worker’ meaning he produced fine quality small items of silver such as mounts for boxes and decanter labels etc.

fig 6. A pair of late eighteenth-century bow-front mahogany cutlery boxes with silver mounts and claw feet. — fig 6. Rare Pair of Late 18th Century Bow Front Mahogany Cutlery Boxes with Solid Silver Mounts, of Narrow Proportions and of Superb Patina

During our research we have also found some mahogany cutlery boxes with almost identical solid silver mounts by the silversmith Lewis Fueter, some of these cutlery boxes being in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, USA.

This pair of cutlery boxes are in very good condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Sizes:

Height: 14.4'' / 36.5cm

Width: 9'' / 23cm