Accession Number

987.020.004

Description

A silver-plated fork, four long tines, a long (13.2 cm) elongated teardrop-shaped handle, the front and back edges of the handle decorated in a repeating single line of tiny flat dots, the handle engraved "Dolaura" in fancy script on the face of the flat end of the handle, the fork bearing no maker's mark.

Narrative

This fork was part of a set that was apparently dispersed when James and Laura Dunsmuir sold their yacht, the TSSY Dolaura. Its quality suggests that it was intended for use by the Dunsmuir family and their guests.

The TSSY DOLAURA was a private yacht built in 1908 for Hon. James Dunsmuir by the Fleming and Ferguson shipyard of Paisely, Scotland. It was named by combining the names of Dola and Laura Dunsmuir.

The next four owners were members of the New York Yacht Club. In 1920, the yacht was sold to Arthur Meeker and renamed the VICTORIA; from 1922 to 1924 the yacht belonged to James Shewan and renamed the PATRICIA; from 1926 to 1928 the yacht belonged to Russell A. Alger and was renamed the LAURENTIAN; from 1929 to 1936  the yacht belonged to George W. Childs Drexel and was renamed the ALCEDO.

From 1937 to 1939 the yacht belonged to John C. Sword of Britain and was renamed the VALENA; at the outbreak of WW2, the yacht was requisitioned by the Admiralty, named HMS VALENA and used to hunt enemy submarines until 1945.

VALENA was returned to Mr. Sword and then sold to Pontos Cia de Nav (J. Lavanos), Panama and used for passenger service in the Mediterranean. The yacht was scrapped at La Spezia, Italy on December 30, 1951.  

An aerial photograph of the HMS Valena can be seen here: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205017805

History of Use

This fork was used by the Dunsmuir family from 1908 until 1920 when the yacht was sold by James Dunsmuir. It was purchased by the donor at a Victoria antique store in the 1980's.

Date

circa 1908

Dimensions

18.3 x 2 cm

Material

Metal, steel; Metal, alloy; Metal, silver

Technique

Electroplated; Stamped; Engraved