Tiffany and Co Antique Sterling Silver 'Vine' Pattern Grape Shears, NYC, NY, c. 1869

These shears are an early example of flatware from Tiffany & Co. The scissor form was used to cut sections of grapes from their bunch before placing them on a plate. The handles are designed as grapevines with clusters of grapes and leaves and tendrils. The blades are engraved underneath with an 'MS' monogram.

These rare grape shears are marked 'TIFFANY & C0/ 1/ M/ 8651/ STERLING.' The '1' is the pattern number signifying one of the earliest flatware items produced from Tiffany & Co. 'The first entry in the list of pattern numbers in the Spoonwork Book is for a pair of grape serving tongs in the Vine pattern.' (1) The shears measure 7.25 inches long, weigh 5.15 troy ounces and are in very good antique condition with the original gilding to the blades having been removed.

Endnote:

1. William P. Hood, Jr, Roslyn Berlin, Edward Wawrynek, Tiffany Silver Flatware 1845-1905 When Dining Was An Art, (Woodbridge: Antique Collectors Club, 1999), pp.123, 312.