An elegant late 19th / early 20th-century antique letter opener or individual tea-table knife featuring a genuine, beautifully iridescent mother-of-pearl handle.The handle meets the blade via an intricately decorated, ornate sterling silver collar (ferrule). The ferrule is clearly stamped with the 925 guarantee mark for solid sterling silver, alongside the historical M W maker's mark for the renowned Sheffield silversmiths, Maxfield & Sons.At 19cm in length, this versatile, high-quality piece functions beautifully as a luxury desk accessory or a standalone addition to a vintage cutlery collection