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ID #SA1146818
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Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862
Sold by Julie Cartwright Antiques
sold SA1146818
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Julie Cartwright Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2009
Browse dealers 146 items
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Id #SA1146818
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Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862

19th century
Sold 11 June 2025 · Julie Cartwright Antiques
This “Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862” found a buyer.

It was listed by Julie Cartwright Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
Antique Letter OpenerAntique Silver BladeSilver Writing Accessories Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This is a beautiful solid silver and guilloche enamel letter opener or paper knife. The silver handle with a delicate powder blue guilloche enamel inset. The back plain. Mounted with a decorative ferrule and a fully hallmarked engraved solid silver blade. It is eye-catching and very elegant.

Hallmarks:

F.H Francis Higgins II

London Assay mark.

Lion Passant.

Duty Mark.

Date letter "g" for 1862.

Condition:

Very good.

Dimensions:

Length: 23cm / 8.4 inches.

Maximum width: 1.5cm / 0.4 inches.

Postage:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

Postage UK: £8 Special Delivery Next day.

Postage overseas: £17 International Signed For.

You can pay by PayPal, bank transfer, cheque, debit or credit card.

To pay by PAYPAL please add P&P and click on button below.

To pay by credit or debit card over the phone or by cheque, please contact me on 01449 760 585.

Physical Dimensions
Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
1.5cm (0.59")
Declaration

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1146818
Dealers Internal Reference
JUIN92
Description
This is a beautiful solid silver and guilloche enamel letter opener or paper knife. The silver handle with a delicate powder blue guilloche enamel inset. The back plain. Mounted with a decorative ferrule and a fully hallmarked engraved solid silver blade. It is eye-catching and very elegant.
fig 1. An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle.
fig 1. Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862

Hallmarks:

F.H Francis Higgins II

London Assay mark.

Lion Passant.

Duty Mark.

Date letter "g" for 1862.

Condition:

Very good.

Dimensions:

Length: 23cm / 8.4 inches.

Maximum width: 1.5cm / 0.4 inches.

Postage:

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO ADD POSTAGE AT CHECKOUT.

fig 2. An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle.
fig 2. Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862

Postage UK: £8 Special Delivery Next day.

Postage overseas: £17 International Signed For.

You can pay by PayPal, bank transfer, cheque, debit or credit card.

To pay by PAYPAL please add P&P and click on button below.

To pay by credit or debit card over the phone or by cheque, please contact me on 01449 760 585.

Height
1.5cm (0.59")
Width
23cm (9.06")
Depth
1.5cm (0.59")
Date of Manufacture

Julie Cartwright Antiques has dated this Silver Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1146818
Dealers Internal Ref
JUIN92
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2009
Dealer Profile

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

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An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Stunning Silver and Guilloche Enamel Letter Opener by Francis Higginsii, London 1862

Archive II An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle. View II
Archive III An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle. View III
Archive IV An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Julie Cartwright Antiques

Julie Cartwright Antiques
Telephone 07947 998435
Location
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jc
Verified Since Jun 2009
Items For Sale 146
Items Sold 2,224
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Julie Cartwright Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jc
Verified
Jun 2009
For Sale
146
Sold
2,224
An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle.
STUNNING SILVER AND GUILLOCHE ENAMEL LETTER OPENER BY FRANCIS HIGGINSII, LONDON 1862
Ref: SA1146818
An antique silver letter opener featuring an engraved blade and a blue guilloche enamel handle.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesk Accessories
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialSilver, Enamel
  • ColourBlue and Silver
  • MotifsGuilloche enamel, Engraved scrollwork, Chased collar
  • SizeH 1.5 cm (1 in) x W 23 cm (9 in) x D 1.5 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Guilloche enamel involves engraving a precise, repetitive pattern into metal using a mechanical lathe before applying translucent enamel layers. This decorative technique saw widespread popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, particularly on luxury desk accessories and vanity items.

Traditional letter openers from the nineteenth century were frequently crafted from sterling silver, ivory, bone, or mother-of-pearl, often featuring hand-engraved scrollwork or enamel accents. Silversmiths utilised traditional forging, chasing, and enamelling techniques to produce these functional desk implements.

Authenticity is typically verified by examining official assay office hallmarks stamped directly onto the metal surface, which indicate the metal standard, the assay town, and a specific date letter. Makers marks also assist in attributing the piece to a specific silversmithing workshop.

An antique paper knife functions effectively as a decorative desk accent when displayed horizontally on an executive writing table, within a home library, or atop a stack of vintage books. It adds a layer of historical interest and textural contrast to modern workspaces.

Enamelled silver requires careful handling to prevent scratching the glass-like enamel surface or damaging delicate mechanical engraving. Cleaning should be restricted to gentle dusting with a soft, dry microfibre cloth, avoiding harsh chemical silver dips that can seep beneath or erode the enamel.
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