Info required on small knife and fork set

Ian Crouch · 12th October 2009, 03:59 PM

Can anyone help me with any information on the attached items. So far I believe they are mid to late 19th century, Indian and made for the tourist trade. Should this be the case, I guess their value is minimal?

Can anyone confirm this or add any further details.

Kind regards
Ian

colin henshaw · 12th October 2009, 06:10 PM

Very unusual indeed - they certainly look Indian especially with that Kashmiri painted work. I would guess early-mid 20th century, perhaps meant for actual use as a table carving knife and fork. Might have been intended for sale to European colonials ?

Just a guess.

Atlantia · 12th October 2009, 06:37 PM

The more common form for these is carved wood, not painted. But you do see the painted ones occasionally.
There are several 'shapes' available. With the one you have being IMHO the most attractive. Often they are straight with a handle at each end and little brass feet. Sometimes they are shaped as a fish with the head and tail being the hilts of the fork and carver.
Always have the spring locks.
Indian. 50s-80s. (mostly) Yours look to be earlier in that timeframe IMHO.

Heres a more common type

12th October 2009, 03:59 PM	#1
Ian Crouch Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4	Info required on small knife and fork set Can anyone help me with any information on the attached items. So far I believe they are mid to late 19th century, Indian and made for the tourist trade. Should this be the case, I guess their value is minimal? Can anyone confirm this or add any further details. Kind regards Ian Attached Images

12th October 2009, 06:37 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	The more common form for these is carved wood, not painted. But you do see the painted ones occasionally. There are several 'shapes' available. With the one you have being IMHO the most attractive. Often they are straight with a handle at each end and little brass feet. Sometimes they are shaped as a fish with the head and tail being the hilts of the fork and carver. Always have the spring locks. Indian. 50s-80s. (mostly) Yours look to be earlier in that timeframe IMHO. Heres a more common type Last edited by Atlantia; 12th October 2009 at 08:16 PM.

12th October 2009, 06:10 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Very unusual indeed - they certainly look Indian especially with that Kashmiri painted work. I would guess early-mid 20th century, perhaps meant for actual use as a table carving knife and fork. Might have been intended for sale to European colonials ? Just a guess.