Vintage Sheffield Tea Knives G Fyne Boxed Set 6 Pearl Handle Butter Cutlery T604
£30.00
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Vintage Sheffield Tea Knives G Fyne Boxed Set 6 Pearl Handle Butter Cutlery T604
£30.00
Item Overview
- Type: Vintage Boxed Afternoon Tea Knives / Retro Faux Pearl Handled Butter Dessert Cutlery Set
- Model Variant: Fyne Quality Cutlery No. T604
- Brand: G. Fyne of Sheffield
- Manufacturer: G. Fyne Cutlery Foundry (Sheffield, England)
- MPN: Model T604
- Place of Origin: Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Style: Mid-Century Retro / Traditional British High Tea / Sheffield Industrial Elegance
- Colour: Polished Mirror Silver-Tone Blades, Iridescent Shimmering Mother of Pearl Style Handles, and Slate Blue Presentation Box
- Design Era: Post-War Mid-Century Era (c. 1950s–1960s)
- Material: Forged Sheffield Stainless Steel Blades, Celluloid Faux Pearl Handle Castings, and Chrome-Plated Ferrules
- Set Includes: Six (6) Individual Matching Stainless Steel Tea/Side Knives complete with Original Factory Tissue Sheaths and Fitted Presentation Box
- Features: Deep-Etched Maker Script Marks, Iridescent Pearlised Finish Scales, Parallel Scimitar-Profile Blades, and Factory Stamped Box Model Branding
- Condition: Exceptional Un-Used Vintage Condition (The knives represent pristine dead-stock store find survival; the stainless steel blades are mirror-bright with zero sharpening wear, the pearlised handles are immaculate, and the original box is structurally complete as itemised below)
- Size and Capacity: Each individual knife measures approximately 7.25 inches in total length (approx. 18.4 cm), with the blade component spanning roughly 3.75 inches (approx. 9.5 cm). The presentation case measures 8.25 inches in length by 6.0 inches in width and 1.0 inch in depth (approx. 21 cm x 15.2 cm x 2.5 cm).
Dating & Historical Context
- Dating: This fine cutlery set dates to the post-war mid-century period (c. 1950s–1960s). The specific production signatures—including the cursive script format of the "G. Fyne Sheffield" blade etching, the geometric parallel styling of the blue-and-white cream-striped display carton, and the use of xylonite celluloid faux pearl compounds—are diagnostic details perfectly pinning its manufacture to Sheffield's classic mid-century domestic export boom.
- Historical Note: For centuries, the city of Sheffield held an unrivaled global reputation as the absolute heart of premium steel fabrication and cutlery craftsmanship. During the mid-20th century, everyday high tea and luncheon rituals required highly specialized side knives designed specifically to slice delicate scones, smooth rich clotted cream, or spread cold butter without tearing fragile baked goods. While earlier Victorian sets utilized genuine organic mother-of-pearl or bone handles—which were prone to severe cracking, yellowing, and loosening under moisture—mid-century Sheffield houses celebrated modern engineering by pairing their legendary non-staining steel blades with durable, beautifully iridescent pearlised polymers. This specific "Fyne" set stands out as an exceptional historical survivor because it retains the original protective greaseproof tissue sheaths applied by a factory worker over half a century ago.
Description
A beautifully preserved and perfectly nostalgic piece of British domestic social history, this boxed set of six G. Fyne tea knives is a premier acquisition for vintage tableware collectors, retro stagers, or elegant holiday gift-seekers. The knives pair a sleek, mirror-polished parallel stainless steel blade with a beautifully contoured, iridescent mother-of-pearl style handle that displays an exquisite, multi-directional optical shimmer. The set is housed inside its original, vintage slate blue cardboard display box, featuring custom cream-coloured interior support tiers designed to keep the blades elevated and separated.
Expert Identification & Design Features:
- Authentic Sheffield Etching: The face of the master blade houses a clear, beautifully executed cursive factory etching confirming its authentic G. Fyne Sheffield pedigree and stainless composition.
- Faux Pearl Handles: Crafted with a smooth, ergonomic oval profile that provides a luxurious tactile feel and a premium weighted balance during table handling.
- Dead-Stock Factory Wrappings: Accompanied by all original protective tissue sleeves, a magnificent diagnostic testament to its pristine, un-used storage provenance.
- Scimitar Slicing Profile: Formed with a subtle, sweeping upward curve near the tip to maximize smooth spreading efficiency across afternoon tea pastries.
Condition Report
This vintage Sheffield cutlery set is in exceptional, near-mint vintage condition, representing an absolute time-capsule find. All six knives are structurally flawless, perfectly rigid, and entirely uniform; the forged steel blades maintain a high-lustre mirror sheen free from edge nicks, historic sharpening scrapes, or localized rust spots. The celluloid handles are beautifully stable and firm, entirely free from perimeter splits, stress shrinkage gaps at the ferrules, or handling discolouration, retaining their bright white and cream pearlescent glow. The original presentation box is in great shape, remaining structurally rigid and flat with no split corners; it displays only light storage age-toning to the white base panel, minor edge rubbing, and a small, faint historic ink scribble on the upper lid. Please examine the detailed macro photos to confirm the factory markings and inspect the blade wrappers.
Shipping & Logistics
- Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY. Please Note: In strict compliance with UK safety requirements for bladed items, this parcel will be dispatched using an Age Verification shipping service, requiring an adult signature and proof of 18+ ID upon delivery.
- Packaging: This delicate cutlery box will be insulated with an external cardboard sheet layer to protect the vintage blue lid from crushing, wrapped securely in high-density bubble cushioning, and shipped inside a rigid outer box container to guarantee a safe journey.
- Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
- Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our listing, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
- Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.