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| Georgian Silver Fish Slice - William Plummer
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Reference: S11373
Period: George III
Year: 1777
Silversmith: William Plummer
Place: London
Price: $ 700.00
Weight: 165 grams
Dimensions: 29.5 cm
Condition: Excellent, apart for damage to the tip, where a small piece is missing. Piercing and engraving in excellent condition. Handle secure, with the usual small dents and scratches to filled handle, especially at end.
Description: A beautiful Georgian silver Fish slice, also called a long oval server, by one of the leading makers of this type, William Plummer. The server is extensively pierced and engraved with a realistic fish, what makes this server exceptional is that the design is repeated on both sides. The fish is surrounded by flowers and foliage, and is surrounded by a narrow engraved band. The quality of the slice, and in particular the piercing and engraving, is remarkable. The blade is flat, narrow, elliptical and symmetrical, the handle is in line, connected to the blade with a split penny boss. The handle is filled, and has a raised beaded pattern that assists the grip. The penny boss is engraved on 1 side with a family crest, a bulls head holding a spear, above a crown, the engraving is crisp and clear. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark W.P for William Plummer, Grimwade mark 3255. In an excellent article entitled "English Long Oval Servers" by Dale Bennett, published in Silver Magazine July 2016, page 20, Bennett explains that this type of server first appeared in 1775 (prior to this fish servers were trowel shaped). This style lasted until they were replaced by scimitar bladed servers circa 1800. The earlier long oval servers (1775-1780) had in line handles, with the design repeated on both sides, as the server can be used by either hand (so this example fits). After 1780 the handles became lifted, and the design only featured on the front. William Plummer worked between 1755 and 1789, he specialised in pierced saw cut pieces (baskets, strainers and slices). Grimwade notes that as the process is slow, and the survival rate of his output, he must have had a reasonably sized establishment. In his excellent book "Antique Silver Servers for the Dining Table", author Benton Rabinovitch describes fish servers as "some of the most beautiful and striking products of the silversmiths art". He illustrates over 400 different servers, including 51 in the long oval section, it is interesting to note that William Plummer is the most prolific maker in this book, with 16 of his servers illustrated. We are of the opinion (biased I know) that this server is as beautiful as any illustrated in the long oval section. Rabinovitch also notes that some Plummer fish blades appear cast (illustration 8, page 122), and as such can be more highly decorated - we are of the opinion that this blade is also cast.
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Georgian Silver Fish Slice - William Plummer
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Georgian Silver Fish Slice
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Antique silver fish slice, other side
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Pierced Georgian silver fish slice, note damage to tip
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Engraved bulls head holding spear on penny boss
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William Plummer London 1777 silver hallmarks
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Long oval server fish slice
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