Whiting Pair of 'Bird on Nest' Aesthetic Movement Antique Sterling Silver Master Butter Knives, Attleboro, MA, or New York City, c. 1870's

These butter knives were made by the Whiting Manufacturing Company from North Attleboro, MA, and later New York City in a rare pattern. They are a beautiful design made from multiple parts. Three sterling rods form the central parts of the handles which are attached with decorative circular joins to the other sections. The finely detailed tops of the handles depict 4 baby birds in a nest about to be fed by a parent. The backs of the handles are engraved with script style 'JEP' monograms. The blades have shaped edges and are hand engraved with aesthetic decoration of leaves on a vine.

These master butter knives are marked with Whiting's trademark along with 'STERLING/ 5/ A'. They measure 7.25 inches long, weigh a combined 2.90 troy ounces and are in good condition with wear to the tips of the blades (see detail image).