Description
A coin silver fish slice of scimitar shape, the blade being richly decorated with a scrolling, foliate design. The upturned top edge has a wavy profile, bordered with an engraved band in a distinctive geometric style, while the lower edge is smooth with a simple leaf pattern border. For drainage, the blade is pierced with 7 slots to outline the form of a generic scaly fish with 4 fins and a distinctive bifurcated tail, surrounded by a further 11 engrailed slots. The silver handle is double struck in the ‘Tuscan’ pattern.
Maker’s Marks
The retailer’s mark of ‘KAY(sic), SPEAR & BROWN’ and quality mark of ‘PURE-COIN’ are struck in intaglio form on the reverse of the handle. The firm of McKay (or M’Kay), Spear & Brown traded at 195 Washington Street, Boston, Mass. from 1851-1856 as successors to the watchmakers and jewelers business run by William P McKay from 1839-51, firstly at 52 Milk Street then, from 1846, at 195 Washington Street, Boston. McKay entered into partnership with Henry Temperance Spear and James Warren Lemont Brown in 1851.
Dimensions & Weights
Length overall: 29.5 cm / 11 5/8 ins.
Width: 7 cm / 2 ¾ ins.
Weight: 130 gms / 4.2 ozT.
