A Sterling Silver ‘Elephant’ Paper Knife, by Asprey & Co. Ltd., London, 1912-13

Description

A plain sterling silver paper knife having a broad, flat blade with chamfered edges, tapering gradually from a shield top to a gentle point.  The blade has the cut-out shapes of four walking elephants, trunks raised, in procession along its length

Dimensions & Weight:

Width (at top): 3 cm / 1 ¹/₈ ins.;     Width (near point): 1.9 cm / ¾ ins.;     Thickness: 0.19 cm / ³/₁₆ in.;     Weight:   109 gms / 3.5 ozT

Hallmarks:

Retailer’s mark of upper case plain ‘A & C^O L^TD’ in a rectangular punch (Asprey & Co. Ltd, after 1909) overstriking the original maker’s mark; lower case Roman ‘r’ (1912-13); Lion Passant (Sterling); Leopard’s Head (London).  The piece also carries an impressed design registration: ‘RD 558762 ASPREY’ adjacent to the hallmarks; this lies within the range of designs registered in1910 (TNA representation catalogue reference BT52/211).