A cased Victorian sterling silver presentation trowel, Sheffield 1890 by George Warriss

A carved ivory handle with an anthemion, the blade engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Presented to Sir James Whitehead Bart. By the trustees on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Methodist New Connexion St Paul’s Church, Melbourne Road Leicester, Oct 21^st 1890. The blade also with engraved foliage and a cinquefoil motif border. Fully marked to reverse, housed in original velvet lined case. Together with another presentation trowel, silver palted (EPNS) and ivory, reading The Horticultural College Swanley May 25^th 1889. (2_

Longest – 35.8 cm / 14 inches

Sir James Whitehead, 1st Baronet (1834 - 1917) of Highfield House, Catford Bridge, Kent, created a baronet on 26^th November 1889. He married Mercy Matilda Hinds (1840-1911) on the 30^th November 1860. (thence by descent)