Brass Malmesbury Souvenir Toasting Fork With Architectural Abbey Panel And Twisted Stem

Malmesbury brass souvenir toasting fork
Architectural Abbey panel with raised detailing
Three-prong pierced fork head
Twisted barley-sugar style stem
Cast brass construction

Approximate dimensions: Length 480mm (18.9")

Condition
The surface shows overall darkened areas, colour variation and small areas of discolouration across the architectural plaque, twisted stem and fork prongs. The recessed areas of the Abbey panel show deposits that sit within the low points of the casting. The fork prongs show darker toning and small scattered marks. The reverse of the architectural panel shows uneven surface colour and areas of residue within recesses. The stem shows areas of colour variation along the twisted ridges. No additional notes.

Description

This is a long brass toasting fork featuring a cast souvenir architectural panel depicting Malmesbury Abbey and a three-prong pierced fork head. It is made from a brass-coloured alloy throughout and has a cast construction with both solid and openwork elements.

At the upper end of the fork is a flat architectural plaque surmounted by a triangular bar and an integral suspension ring. The bar carries the cast inscription “MALMESBURY.” The plaque presents a relief image of Malmesbury Abbey, a medieval Benedictine foundation located in Wiltshire, noted for its large Romanesque nave and Gothic windows. The panel shows multiple bays of arched windows with buttress-like uprights and a projecting entrance section on the left. The reverse shows the same structure in simplified recessed form.

Malmesbury is an English market town with recorded heritage from the early medieval period. Its Abbey has been a prominent landmark since the 12th century, and souvenir items depicting the Abbey were widely produced through the 20th century. Cast brass souvenirs of this type were commonly sold in British historic towns, often paired with functional household items such as toasting forks.

The stem is long and formed as a narrow rod with a twisted or barley-sugar spiral along its full length. This spiral produces repeating shallow ridges and dimples. Short collar-like mouldings mark the transitions between the architectural head, stem and fork head.

The toasting end consists of three cast brass prongs that splay slightly from a central axis. The prongs are joined at the base by an openwork plate arranged in a quatrefoil pattern with small diamond-shaped apertures. The central prong is aligned with the stem, while the two outer prongs angle outward. This form is typical of traditional open-fire toasting forks, which were used for holding bread, crumpets or cheese towards the heat of a hearth.

Toasting forks were widely used in Britain during the 19th and early 20th centuries as domestic accessories for open hearths and fire grates. Many examples carried souvenir plaques for regional towns, combining decorative interest with practical function.

Modern uses include using it as a decorative fireplace accessory, wall-mounted display, prop for period interiors, or as a functional fork for toasting items such as marshmallows when used with care. It may also serve as wall décor representing Malmesbury Abbey.

Item Specifics

Age: Mid-20th Century
Material: Brass
Origin: United Kingdom
Style: Victorian Revival
Pattern: Architectural Abbey Panel
Dimensions: Length 480mm (18.9")

Brass Malmesbury Abbey Architectural Souvenir Toasting Fork Twisted Stem Three Prong