Vintage, Art Nouveau, sterling silver floral repousse Letter Opener with integrated ruler on blade by S. Kirk & Sons silversmiths. Made in one piece of sterling, the handle section has a spray of raised Rose blossoms, buds, leaves and stems. the integrated ruler on the long side opposite has 1/16" markers and inches numbered. No engravings or monogram. Marked "S. Kirk & Sons Sterling 5" on the back. This letter opener measures 5" long, 1" wide, 1/16" thick and weighs 27 grams. In very good condition, with only slight scratches on the back. A lovely and practical item for an office or entry. Makes a wonderful gift and could be monogrammed or engraved for a special occasion.

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Notes on Repousse and Kirk & Sons:

Repousse is a time and labor intensive metal-working technique that creates a raised relief pattern on the front of the object by cutting, hammering, stamping, embossing or pressing from the reverse side. The technique's name comes from the French word meaning “to push back”. Repousse-work has been used by metal-working artisans all over the world for thousands of years, including the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and others in making both practical items such as armour to decorative objects such as religious vessels. 

In 1828, Samuel Kirk, who had established his silver manufacturing business in Baltimore in 1815, introduced a highly ornate floral pattern which he called Repousse. Completely unlike the plain colonial-styled patterns popular at the time, Repousse was an instant hit with the new, expanding and wealthy population who had benefited from the city’s highly competitive shipping and transportation industries and were building and furnishing ever-more grand homes. Due to the cost of the hand work involved in producing repousse and other ornate silver pieces, these items were luxury products for this special market. Demand supported the emergence of a number of silver manufacturers in the city who produced a wide range of such ornate tableware and holloware pieces, including Stieff (1892) and Schofield (1903). Baltimore became known not only for its silver producers but for its famous repousse patterns and other silver producers such as Towle, Tiffamy and Alvin eventually issued repousse pieces in their collections due to the popularity of the style.

Today, all the Baltimore silver companies have been bought by large international corporations or ceased operations during the mid 20th century due changes in the market. Kirk and Stieff merged in 1979 and were purchased by Brown-Forman (maker of Jack Daniels and other distilled spirits), then by Lenox Brands. The silver patterns are currently licensed for manufacture by Lifetime Brands, who also own the Wallace and Towle Silversmiths brands. Although some Kirk Stieff patterns remain in limited production (Steiff Rose), handworked repousse has been discontinued.