A wonderfully evocative survivor from the Edwardian dressing room — a rare matched pair of sterling silver handled dressing tools, comprising a button hook and shoe horn, hallmarked at Chester in 1904 and made by Crisford & Norris Ltd.

At the turn of the twentieth century, dressing properly was a ritual. Boots were secured with long rows of small buttons, shoes were pulled on with the help of a horn, and a gentleman or lady’s dressing table was furnished with elegant tools designed to make the process both practical and refined. These beautifully made pieces are exactly the sort of objects that would have sat on the dressing table of a well-appointed Edwardian household.

Both pieces feature substantial sterling silver handles cast in a rich rococo revival design, with bold shell motifs and flowing acanthus scrolls in high relief. The design is tactile and sculptural, reflecting the decorative taste of the late Victorian and Edwardian period, when even everyday personal items were produced with real artistry.

The handles carry the maker’s mark CRISFORD & NORRIS LTD, together with Chester assay marks and the 1904 date letter, confirming their Edwardian origin. The working ends are steel, as expected for practical tools of this type — the shoe horn requiring strength for daily use and the button hook needing a hardened tip to draw boot buttons through tight buttonholes.

At 26 cm in length, these are notably large examples, longer than most dressing set tools of the period, which adds to their presence and practicality. Their matching design strongly suggests they once formed part of a larger gentleman’s dressing set, perhaps originally housed in a fitted travelling or dressing case.

Today they remain not only functional objects but charming reminders of a lost era of daily ritual — the Edwardian world of polished boots, tailored coats and well-appointed dressing rooms.

This handsome pair would make a superb addition to a collection of antique silver, dressing table pieces or country house interiors.

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Condition

Good antique condition overall.

The sterling silver handles retain crisp detail and clear hallmarks, (although one is a little rubbed) The steel working ends show age-related wear consistent with use over time, particularly to the shoe horn blade, but both pieces remain sound and present very well.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

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Measurements

Length: 26 cm

Maker

Crisford & Norris Ltd

Hallmarks

Chester assay officeDate letter 1904Sterling silver

From TicketyBooFinds – interesting antiques chosen for their character and craftsmanship.If you enjoy unusual silver, antiques and well-made objects with history, do have a look at my other listings — I’m always adding interesting pieces.