Hi , I am new to this forum. I would like some help with identifying this Irish fork that I bought a month ago . It is a King hour glass pattern fork . However , the date , if I am not mistaken ,is dated 1771 by the Dublin silversmith Richard Williams . I thought the King shape handle only started to appear in early 1800’s . Would this fork be a fake ? The date seems to tally with the silversmith and the positioning of the hallmarks seem correct . If this fork is genuine , would it make it very rare ?
King’s Pattern Silver Cutlery (& Variants) » Antique Silver Spoons
King’s and King’s Hourglass patterns
“… According to Ian Pickford’s book on Silver Flatware , ‘this pattern dates principally from the early 19th century though, since it is based on French 18th century designs, earlier examples may be found’.”
Has anyone come across an eighteenth century example ?
I admit that this date surprises me and does not match the cutlery design used.
Does this fork look fake to you ? or do you think it is genuine ?
I have never been interested in the phenomenon (or rather the procedure) of counterfeiting silver or silver-plated products. Knowing the twisted nature of man, anything is possible…
Or maybe it’s not Richard Williams? Although the signatures are legible.
Makers’ Marks
I have seen a few Richard Williams pieces online and it does look like his maker’s mark ?
