Description
For your consideration, we have a STIEFF Ice Cream Knife. It features a rose engraved handle, and plate blade. This knife is made from sterling silver, in a repousse style.
ITEM SPECIFICS:
- STIEFF Rose Sterling Repousse Hollow Handle Plate Blade Ice Cream Knife 10 1/2″
- 10.5 inch sterling silver and carbon steel Ice Cream Knife.
- Hallmarked THE STIEFF COMPANY SILVERSMITHS.
- Hollow repousse Stieff rose handle, silver mirror plated carbon steel blade.
- Condition: Light wear on the blade, one scratch in the bolster, one chip in the silver plate.
- Weight: 126 grams
In the early years, the Stieff Company made silver for both its own retail shop in downtown Baltimore as well as other retailers whose names would be stamped on the silver. By cutting out the middle man and manufacturing their own silver, they were able to offer a high quality product at value pricing. Eventually, as the fine silver products became better known around Baltimore, the company became a major player in the silver manufacturing business.
Charles C. Stieff markedly handed the reins of the company to his son Gideon Stieff in 1914, who made a number of strategic decisions that helped expand the Stieff name. A move from downtown Baltimore to its now iconic location in the Hampden area allowed Stieff to bring in more craftsmen and artists to create its collections. And as a family-owned business, the Stieff family made sure to take care of its employees and its country when times called for it.
During the Great Depression, Gideon found odd jobs around the facility to keep his skilled silversmiths on staff so he could call on them when business inevitably picked up. Eventually, once business did start to pick up during World War II, the company switched its attention to electronics, radar parts, and surgical equipment. Additionally, Gideon had the foresight to sign a contract with Colonial Williamsburg in 1939, where they would reproduce silver for colonial tourists.
