Victorian Silver Handbell Samuel Whitford, 1864

A fine Victorian silver handbell, hallmarked London, 1864, made by Samuel Whitford. Of substantial and elegant form, the bell features a beautifully lobed or fluted baluster handle surmounted by a small, knopped finial, raised upon a matching panelled or fluted domed bell with a stepped, spreading foot and a crisp, beaded border. The body is further enhanced with an engraved crest or armorial motif within one of the central panels, lending the piece a distinctive personal or ceremonial character, while the polished silver surface accentuates its graceful proportions and crisp, reflective detailing. A particularly fine example of mid-19th-century British silver, showcasing the refined neoclassical revival craftsmanship characteristic of Samuel Whitford's workshop, and equally suited to practical use, display, or as a notable addition to a collection of fine English silver.