This is a beautiful set of twelve Mappin and Webb silver plated and mother of pearl handled dessert knives and forks, circa 1870 in date. The set is cased in an oak box with a blank brass cartouche ready to be engraved with your initials. The interiors is lined in royal blue satin & velvet and there is a stamp which reads: 'Mappin & Webb, Manufacturing Goldsmiths & Silversmiths 2 Queen Victoria Street (Facing the Mansion House) London E.C.' The set is design in an elegant and elaborate pattern & comprises: 12 Dessert knives 12 Dessert forks It is a lovely set which is sure to enhance your dinning experience. Condition: It is a complete set and is in excellent condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 22.5 x Width 43 x Depth 26 - Box Closed Height 45 x Width 43 x Depth 26 - Box Open Dimensions in inches: Height 9 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 10 inches - Box Closed Height 1 foot, 6 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 10 inches - Box Open Mappin & Webb founded in 1774 by Jonathan Mappin, Mappin & Webb is one of the UK's leading retailers of fine jewellery and silverware. Today, it is renowned for combining timeless craftsmanship with superior quality and contemporary design to produce exquisite jewellery, elegant silverware, watches and glassware. Jonathan Mappin opened his first small silversmith workshop in Sheffield in 1774 and the following year the Mappin mark was entered at the assay office. Over the next fifteen years Jonathan Mappin's reputation for producing high quality silver spread throughout Sheffield. From these humble beginnings the business grew steadily and soon the next generation were expanding the business further The first store was opened in London in 1849 at 17 Fore Street and was soon followed by stores in Moorgate and King William Street. In 1858, following rapid expansion of the Sheffield factory, John Newton Mappin invited his brother-in-law, George Webb to join him in the business. The first association of Mappin & Webb was forged. Mappin & Webb is one of the UK's leading retailers of fine jewellery and silverware. Today, it is renowned for combining timeless craftsmanship with superior quality and contemporary design to produce exquisite jewellery, elegant silverware, watches and glassware. Today Mappin & Webb is silversmith to Her Majesty the Queen and to His Royal Highness Prince of Wales. Nacre also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. The outer layer of pearls and the inside layer of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells are made of nacre. Both black and white nacre are and were used for design purposes. They were used as decorative motif used in cabinet making or silversmithing. The natural nacre may be artificially tinted to almost any colour. Nacre tesserae may be cut into shapes and laminated to a ceramic tile or marble base. The tesserae are hand-placed and closely sandwiched together, creating an irregular mosaic or pattern (such as a weave). The laminated material is typically about 2 mm thick. The tesserae are then lacquered and polished creating a durable and glossy surface. Our reference: 06290 Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.