Rare Leslie Durbin Sterling Silver Cutlery Set – 42 Piece Handmade London 1954

Silver Cutlery - Rare 42-Piece Sterling Silver Cutlery Set – Leslie Gordon Durbin, London 1954

This exceptionally rare sterling silver cutlery set was crafted in London in 1954 by the highly esteemed silversmith Leslie Gordon Durbin – one of Britain’s greatest post-war master craftsmen. Fully handmade and hand-wrought, the service is presented in outstanding condition, expertly restored by us to near-new.

Durbin, once apprenticed to the legendary Omar Ramsden, continued the arts & crafts tradition of entirely hand-crafted silver. His work is known for its elegant simplicity, fine detailing, and exceptional quality – all of which are evident in this remarkable set. This is the first complete silver canteen we have seen bearing Durbin’s LGD maker’s mark, making it a truly significant piece for collectors.

✨ Key Features

• 42-piece silver canteen, handmade by Leslie Durbin

• London 1954 sterling silver hallmarks (teaspoons hallmarked 1955)

• Total silver weight: 1230 grams (39.6 troy ounces) plus 12 silver-handled knives with stainless steel blades

• Hand-crafted pattern with elegant tapering handles and engraved trim

• Supplied in four felt cutlery rolls, each piece in an individual slot

• Fully restored to near-new condition

Set Composition (6 place settings, 7 pieces each)

• 6 x Soup Spoons (18 cm)

• 6 x Dessert Forks (16.8 cm)

• 6 x Table Knives (21 cm) – silver handles, stainless blades

• 6 x Dessert Spoons (18 cm)

• 6 x Table/Dinner Forks (18 cm)

• 6 x Teaspoons (12.6 cm)

• 6 x Dessert Knives (19 cm) – silver handles, stainless blades

Craftsmanship & Style

This cutlery set reflects the post-war aesthetic – a blend of Art Deco streamlining and the restrained elegance of the 1950s. The 3-pronged forks echo early 18th-century design, while the rat-tail feature on the reverse of spoon bowls is a nod to Durbin’s mentor, Omar Ramsden. Each piece is handmade, a rarity in an era when machine production was becoming the norm.

A Rare Collectors’ Opportunity

Silver was heavily taxed during the 1950s, meaning few luxury sets like this were produced or survived intact. This Leslie Durbin silver canteen represents a rare opportunity to acquire a complete, hand-wrought silver cutlery set from one of the most important British silversmiths of the 20th century.

✔️ Why Choose This Silver Canteen?

• Exceptionally rare Leslie Durbin silver cutlery set

• Fully handmade & hallmarked, London 1954

• 6 complete place settings (42 pieces total)

• Over 1.2kg of sterling silver plus 12 knives

• Beautifully preserved, fully restored, and ready to use

• Presented in fitted felt cutlery rolls

This is not just cutlery – it is a work of art in silver, representing the skill of one of Britain’s finest post-war silversmiths. A magnificent collectors’ silver canteen and an heirloom of museum quality.
Here is a link to our blog article published about this silver cutlery set - click here