George Wostenholm carving sets are prized because of the excellent workmanship, thus getting to date a carving set can be informative for a collector. Whether you have an inherited carving set or have come across a collection of such carving sets in an antique store, it may be interesting to know how one may go about identifying a Wostenholm carving set. Here is a brief simple guideline for those who want to date their set and figure out its worth:
Who Was George Wostenholm?
George Wostenholm was a famous English cutler who operated in Sheffield England and started to manufacture superior knives and carving sets in the early part of the nineteenth century.
Wostenholm’s reputation for fine material and fine workmanship was influential; in particular his carving sets were much sought after. The knives manufactured by Wostenholm are a delight to collectors of historic knives and quality cutlery right to this date.
Pre-1900s Sets: The older sets, the engraving or the elaborate patterns will indicate and are made of high carbon steel marked “I*XL”.
Post-1900s Sets: Later in the twentieth century the company started putting into use high quality steel alloys and the production began resembling some of the modern techniques. In the case where the set has a less elaborated blade design and a smoother look they can be from the 1930s onwards.
Handle Material The handle material is a significant indicator of a carving set’s age:
Ivory Handles: The older cup sets, from the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, were made using ivory for handles because of the material’s beauty.
Wood or Bakelite Handles: By about the 1930s handles on cutlery had been made of wood, Bakelite (an early plastic material), or metal — more ‘modern’ materials.
They were worn out almost flat and had lost much of their colour, but it was possible to turn them over and examine the handle for indications of age, signs of wear and material changes to gain an estimate of its age.
Presentation Wostenholm usually packed carving sets in superior wooden or leather cases, especially prior to the mid twentieth century.
Vintage Cases: The first examples were created from wood with internal lining made of velvet or silk. If your set is in a similar case it probably dates from late 1800s to early 1900s most of the surviving sets are in museums.
Mid-20th Century Cases: Subsequent sets may reside inside somewhat spartan, practical wooden cabinets that bear designs that correspond to trends that emerged in the 1930s at the earliest.
Determining Value
The value attached to a carving set depends on the age of the set, its condition, and how rare the particular carving is. Some collectors yield for sets with Dozuki, or Manning, handles of ivory, older tangs, or blade shapes. Like it, sets in good shape – low wear, no rust or damage – will sell for higher prices.
dating a Wostenholm carving set
Companies and Stamps As with most sword manufacturers, the initial measure of the date of carving set manufacture can be inferred from the manufacturer’s markings of the Wostenholm carving set blades. Over time, the company used several distinct stamps:
“George Wostenholm” or “Wostenholm & Son”: These stamps can be found on sets produced in the mid part of nineteenth century to early twentieth century.
“IXL” Trademark: With the mark ‘IXL,’ being placed on the shirt, this mark was first established in the mid 1800’s. It is probably one of the best recognized trademarks and denotes a Wostenholm product, most likely from the nineteenth century.
Post-1930s Marks: And from the 1930s the company employed variations like “George Wostenholm & Sons”, or “Wostenholm Sheffield” that suggest a more contemporary set.
There are some hints about the period of production of the set, if one would pay attention to the design and the position of the stamps.
Blade Material Wostenholm made its blades from high carbon steel famous for its hardness and sharpness. Older sets will contain blades where the patterns on the blade are uniquely engraved or designed, some of the more contemporary sets have blades where the design is smooth and shiny.
Ivory Handles: This grew to be especially popular early in the nineteenth century and through the beginning of the twentieth century , and handles were commonly created from ivory.
Wood or Bakelite Handles: By the 1930s handles were constructed from wood then Bakelite which was in fact early plastic, or metal, thus showing the move towards the more contemporary.
When examining the handle, try to decipher if it is rusty or worn, or if the material used in the manufacturing changed over time to determine when it was made.
Occasionally the case Wostenholm carving sets would be packaged inside equally impressive wooden or leather cases, particularly in the period up to the middle of the twentieth century.
Vintage Cases: The earliest examples are thought to have been made from wood and trimmed with velvet or silk. If your set is in a similar case, it probably was made during the very late 1800s or early 1900s.
Mid-20th Century Cases: Some of the later sets may be housed in more austere functional wooden boxes – a sign of furniture design trends of the 1930s and onwards.
Determining Value
I have found that the value of a Wostenholm carving set depends significantly with the age of the carving set and its condition as well as the level of rarity that it holds. Preliminary research shows that the older sets with ivory handles or somehow different blade shape are worth more. Likewise, sets that are in prized condition – clean, lightly worn, not rusting, and showing little or no signs of abuse – will command good prices.
Age and Rarity: Earlier sets are presumed to be more valuable especially those manufactured before the end of the nineteenth century.
Condition: The state of a set is paramount – sets are a valuable commodity when they are not rusty, cracked or excessively worn.
Original Packaging: Original case or documentation do augur well, if one has a set.
Conclusion
When considering the purchase of a carving set attributed to the manufacture of George Wostenholm, much attention should be paid to the markings on the knife, the material of the blade, the handle provided and the packaging. Thus you are able to see what details need to be focused on and as a result evaluate the approximate age of the set as well as its value. Whether you are a new collector wanting to get a set of figures or you have been in the hobby for many years, it is always good to know the backstory to these iconic sets and how they were made to make better decisions regarding their value.