This 6 person cutlery setting is in the Hampton Court or Coronation pattern produced by Oneida Community Silversmiths.
Oneida has been associated with high quality cutlery since the mid 1800's, and was formed by the Oneida Community in New York. All Oneida Community Cultery has a double plating of silver over the places of most wear. This is to the back of the spoons and forks where they would rest on a table and to the backs of the fork tines. These areas can be identified by a circular area in these spots where the silver is thicker, shown to the back of a soup spoon.
Hampton Court was a pattern created in 1936 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VIII and was originally named Coronation. As the new King abdicated, the pattern was renamed Hampton Court within the British Commonwealth but still retained its original name in the USA.
According to a vintage Oneida pamphlet, the design was inspired by the carvings of Grinling Gibbons (1628-1721) who was known as the 'King's Carver' during the reign of Charles II.
The design features motifs of flowers, fruit and reeds on the pierced medallion to the finials and delicate fluting along the length of each handle.
This particular set is a later release of this design typified by the style and length of the knives. All are in very good condition with no pitting or corrosion. The only wear is to the back of the dinner fork tines as shown in detail. This occurs to one side of the fork only where the fork has scraped against a plate when in use. There are some light surface scratches to the pieces from storage and use. This set has been used but well cared for and presents beautifully.
The set comprises 6 hollow handle finely serrated blade dinner knives, 6 hollow handled finely serrated blade entree knives, 6 dinner forks, 6 entree forks, 6 dessert spoons, 6 soup spoons, 6 teaspoons and 2 large serving spoon. In addition there is a jam spoon, oyster fork and pickle fork. There are 47 pieces.
