{"product_id":"cased-set-of-silver-gilt-lined-swan-salt-dishes-spoons","title":"1880s Victorian Cased Set of Sterling Silver \u0026 Gilt Lined Swan Salt Dishes \u0026 Spoons","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an exceptionally rare survivor and the set is in such fine condition. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn offer here are very stylish \u0026amp; decorative table items for fine dining. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are four solid silver table salt dishes. Each one is so beautifully made and features double-headed swans. They are hallmarked silver and have a nice gold-gilt wash inside to protect the silver from any corrosive action of the salt. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs you can see from my photographs, these are in lovely antique condition. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey come complete with their original salt spoons. These have a bowl in the shape of a miniature scallop shell and the finial has a swan motif (beautifully modelled) sitting amongst bullrushes. Again, each spoon is hallmarked and in excellent condition. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set comes with its original fitted case. The exterior is a black leather (a few wee scuffs to the surface here and there). The shape is very Victorian in form and of a quirky geometric shape. The interior is a claret coloured velvet all ruched in the lid. The case is in generally good antique condition - and the interior is nice and clean. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interesting thing about these silver swans is that they are here seen in the context that they were originally made - as salt dishes with little matching shell and swan spoons. In more recent times,  these silver swans seem to have been converted into pin cushions and marketed as such. They look just fine as pin cushions but they were originally designed for your dining table and not your sewing box! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey have the maker's mark for Hilliard \u0026amp; Thomason (Birmingham). The date letter is \"n\" for 1887. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dimensions of each swan are: 7 cm in length, the width is 3.3 cm and the height is just over 5cm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndividual swans retailed as sewing accessories fetch sums in the high hundreds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere we need to take into account there are four matching ones, the original and exquisite spoons, and the original Victorian fitted case. I don't think that you will ever see another set like them. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePostage will be with UK Royal Mail. The parcel will be fully insured against loss or damage in transit. This will be applied to your order at the checkout.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Iconic Edinburgh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39304666382400,"sku":"MUSSELBURGH WEE GLAZED SHELF at table.","price":2225.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/1902\/6240\/files\/1880s-victorian-cased-set-of-sterling-silver-gilt-lined-swan-salt-dishes-spoons-british-157.webp?v=1788849188","url":"https:\/\/www.iconicedinburgh.co.uk\/products\/cased-set-of-silver-gilt-lined-swan-salt-dishes-spoons","provider":"Iconic Edinburgh","version":"1.0","type":"link"}