Label
Custom-made for Agnes and William Bourn in the late 1800s, this sterling silver Tiffany & Co. flatware set features a “B” at the base of each utensil. The set was for 18 people and contained 581 items, although some have been lost to time. Label
Custom-made for Agnes and William Bourn in the late 1800s, this sterling silver Tiffany & Co flatware set features a “B” at the base of each utensil. The knives feature blades made by Joseph Rogers & Sons, who also made cutlery for the British royal family. This flatware set was meant for 18 people and contained 581 items, although some have since been lost.
Having a matching flatware set was very trendy at the time. Sets from Tiffany & Co were reserved for those of a higher social class due to the price and opulence that came with their craftsmanship and intricate designs. At the time this set was made, Tiffany & Co. produced thirteen standard flatware designs; however, this one is not among them. It is possible the set was completely custom or was a rarer design reserved for special clientele, not advertised in the catalogs.
This piece has been preserved in its original wooden and velvet box, and was stored in the silver safe in the Butler’s Pantry. It can currently be seen on display in the Dining Room at Filoli.
