This exceptional antique George VI sterling silver christening set consists of a napkin ring, an egg cup and a spoon.
The surfaces of the napkin ring and egg cup are plain and embellished with applied crown motifs incorporating the date ‘1937’ and initials ‘GVI’*.
The plain rounded egg cup is ornamented with an elongated indented border to the pedestal and is supported by a stepped octagonal foot, all in the Art Deco style.
The napkin ring has a plain quadrilateral shaped form with a convex curved anterior surface, bearing the aforementioned motif.
The spoon is embellished with the engraved initials ‘GVI’ amidst collared bands to the stem and features an impressive crown shaped terminal.
The reverse surface of the spoon is plain and features a tapering heel to the bowl.
The pieces of this antique Art Deco style christening set are fitted to the original hinged leatherette box with satin and velvet lined interior, secured with a push fit catch.
The anterior maroon leatherette surface of the box cover is embellished with a central cream panel encompassed with a gold scrolling border and accented with the royal cypher depicting ‘GVIR, 1937’ below the royal coronet.
The interior of the cover bears the retailer’s mark ‘By appointment to H.M The King, The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd, 112 Regent Street, London, W.1’.
This impressive christening set was crafted by the renowned and highly collectable silversmith Robert Edgar Stone; the posterior surface of the napkin ring bears R. E. Stone’s signature in addition to the full hallmarks.
Each component of this set will have been crafted in the same year but due to the hallmarking system the egg cup and napkin ring are struck with the date letter ‘b’ and the spoon bears ‘a’.
* This set was crafted to commemorate the coronation of George VI (1895-1952), which took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 12th May 1937
