Set of hand-forged 4-prong Rattail silver cutlery for 12

Set of hand-forged Rattail pattern silver cutlery in fine condition and made by D & J Wellby of London in 1929/1930 unless otherwise indicated. Many fine articles were manufactured under the D & J Wellby name during the latter part of the Victorian era and into the 20th century.

Rattail is the oldest of the English designs dating from the early 1600s with the distinctive "rat tail" on the backs of the spoon bowls and forks. This feature developed in an age when craftsmen made spoons in two pieces joining the bowl and the handle together by means of soldering using a tapered tail as additional strength to the joint. This design also features a prominent rib down the front of the handle and continues to be a popular design to the present day.

This silver cutlery set comprises:

12 table forks
12 dessert forks
12 tablespoons (3 x Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co 1932)
12 dessert spoons
2 sauce ladles

Since antique knives rarely survive, this cutlery set includes 12 modern silver table knives and 12 modern silver dessert knives, fitted with stainless steel blades making them safe to put in the dishwasher.