A Pair of Cooper Brothers, George V Period, Sterling Silver Grape Scissors

Manufacturer - Cooper Brothers & Sons, Sheffield

Date - 1931

Description - A handsome and substantial pair of cast silver grape shears, dating to the George V period and crafted with the quality expected of early‑20th‑century Sheffield silver. By the mid‑19th century, grape shears were designed with a flanged blade, allowing a small branch of grapes to be neatly cut from the bunch and transferred gracefully to a serving plate.
Elegant and practical, these shears would have been a clear sign of a host’s commitment to fine dining, refinement, and proper table etiquette, making them a charming and functional addition to any silver collection.

Condition - This item is in good condition with only very minimal signs of use-related wear

Hallmark - There are clear hallmarks on the finger ring for Cooper Brothers and Sons and a Sheffield date cypher for 1931

Dimensions - Maximum length: 17.5cms
Weight - 125gm

Date Context 1931:
* King George V begins his 21st year as monarch
* The Highway Code first issued
* A run on the pound leads to a political and economic crisis in Britain, part of the European banking crisis of 1931
* The Great Depression: work on construction of "Hull Number 534", the future ocean liner RMS Queen Mary, at John Brown & Company's shipyard on Clydebank is suspended for more than two years
* The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Snowden announces salary cuts for all government employees and reductions to unemployment benefit