An extensive 1920s silver plated 54 piece canteen of cutlery by E J Fairbairns Ltd, Sheffield, and in its original blue felt-lined box. The set is housed in an oak veneered box with hinged lid, and the top of the lid has inset a presentation brass plaque that reads "Presented to Mr H J Allen by the direction and staff of the Italo-Belgian bank on the occasion of his marriage 18th August 1928". The set is for 6 people and comprises of:

6 dinner knives & 6 side knives

6 dinner forks & 6 dessert forks

6 dessert spoons & 6 soup spoons

6 egg spoons & 6 teaspoons*

4 serving spoons & 2 piece carving set*

A plate of good food is lost without a good knife and fork. Well-proportioned, well-balanced and beautifully designed flatware is a joy to use and is the making of a good meal. Our vintage ‘bone-handled’ knives are both good-looking and functional, and their renewed popularity make them a stylish addition on today’s table. The knives have ivorine handles fashioned from xylonite, and have high-polished stainless steel blades. All forks and spoons are silver-plated EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver).

Length of dinner knife: 25.5cm

Box dimensions: width 43cm  depth 34cm  height 8.5cm

Country of origin: England

Year of manufacture: 1928

Each knife blade marked: E J Fairbairns Ltd Sheffield

Material: stainless steel and xylonite, and EPNS (electro-plated nickel silver)

Condition: immaculate - barely used. *Please note the carving set has been supplied by James Royals, Sheffield; and the teaspoons are by Viners Ltd and look like they may have been replaced near the time it was first purchased - see image that compares an egg spoon with a teaspoon. There is a very tiny chip to the veneer of the box on one corner. 

What do we mean by vintage flatware?