HMS KITE - Magnificent Pair of Victorian Sterling Silver Officer's Mess Menu Holders Mounted on Blocks of Ebony

A scarce and magnificent pair of sterling silver Royal Navy Menu holders to HMS Kite hallmarked Birmingham 1901.

HMS Kite was a twin-screwed iron gunboat built in the 1870s of the "Ant" Class which were known as "Flat-Irons". These vessels were very steady gun-platforms and were attached to Naval Gunnery Schools. Remained in RN service until the early 1920s. I will provide the purchaser with an email photograph of this vessel (or you can consult "The Royal Navy in Old Photographs" by William Pym Trotter (1975) (item 79)).

Each holder is circa 10cm in length and 7cm tall. Some tarnishing to the silver, which will polish-up, and both neatly engraved "Carins Portsmouth". Both carry the maker's mark "G.U." (George Unite) with hallmarks for Birmingham and letter b (1901). Each mounted on blocks of attractively polished black ebony wood which is also in very good, undamaged condition.

Would look great on this year's Xmas table!

More photos available on request.

Coll.

Code: 56338