Antique Levesley Brothers Sheffield England Silver Plate Celluloid Fish Serving Set

Description

Antique English Levesley Bros silverplate fork and knife fish carving set featuring celluloid handles and velvet lined case.

Levesley Bros was listed in 1862 as a cutlery manufacturer in Central Works, West Street. The partners were Charles, William, and Thomas (born in 1821, 1826, and 1831, respectively, according to a pedigree in the Hawley Collection). They were the sons of William, a pearl and ivory carver, and his wife, Mary. In 1841, the family lived in Hoyle Street. William Levesley is a name that has been mentioned in connection with the start of the steel pen trade in Sheffield (Bore, 18901), though the identification remains uncertain. William’s sons followed him into the trade. Charles was working in his own right by 1849 as pearl carver and dressing case instrument manufacturer in Orchard Lane. He was amongst the most skilled carvers in the trade. John Hinchliffe and Joseph Rodgers & Sons are said to have relied upon him to carve the pearl handles of their display knives for the Great Exhibition in 1851. If so, the remarkable carving on the Norfolk Knife is a testament to his skills. Levesley Bros concentrated on dessert knives, fish carvers, fish eating knives and pickle forks ‘in every variety’, pencil-knives, and dog calls [whistles]. William Levesley Jun. retired in 1865. In 1868, a trade advertisement featured Levesley Bros’ pencil-knives in ivory and fluted pearl. In 1871, Charles was living in Mount Pisgah and, according to the Census, employed ten men, six boys and three girls. In 1876, the business moved to Bow Street and three years later to Mary Street. In 1881, Charles stated that the firm employed three men and three boys. Three years later, he withdrew. Charles Levesley died in Ecclesall Road on 12 December 1891, aged 71. He was buried in St Thomas’s churchyard, Crookes, where his parents lay: Mary having died on 24 November 1867, aged 70; William on 15 February 1883, aged 85.

Thomas continued to run the business, with the help of his son William Charles. The firm had a London showroom by the 1890s, when the business was briefly restyled as Levesley Bros & Lloyd. It concentrated on silver and electro-plate, and table and spring cutlery. Levesley Bros registered silver marks in 1863, 1868, 1890 (as Levesley Bros & Lloyd), and 1893. An 1892 advertisement showed silver-plated trowels and elaborately carved ivory mallets that were intended for Masonic rituals. Thomas Levesley’s partnership with William Lloyd terminated in 1893. In the 1890s, Thomas Levesley had left Sheffield for Buxton, but returned to live in Western Bank. Levesley Bros continued at Central Works in Mary Street. After 1918, Thomas and William Charles were still listed as the partners in directories. Thomas died at Western Bank on 2 October 1924, aged 94, leaving £3,067. The business apparently then passed to Leonard Walter Levesley, Thomas’s other son, who was the only remaining partner when the firm declared bankruptcy in 1929. It was listed briefly at 203 Arundel Street until the early 1930s. William Charles Levesley, of Endcliffe Rise, died on 19 March 1940, aged 86, leaving £1,234. His brother, Leonard Walter, apparently died in Bakewell in 1940. Trade marks included ‘CLEAN SHAVE’ on razors, with a picture of a batsman taking guard (later used by Joseph Allen); and a sea shell with the word ‘FORWARD’ (later acquired by E.M. Dickinson).

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear/tarnish

Dimensions

Chest - 13.75" x 10" x 2.25" / Serving Knife - 11" x 2" / Table Fork - 7.25" x 0.875" (Width x Depth x Height)