Antique Silver Grape Scissors
A flourish of the Victorian dessert table — silver grape scissors snipped a small bunch from the comport without bruising the fruit. Cast with vines, leaves and grapes, they are decorative and very collectable. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver grape scissors in the UK.
What Are Your Silver Grape Scissors Worth?
Send a photo — including the marks — and we'll value them free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
No Victorian dessert service was complete without a pair of silver grape scissors — laid on the fruit comport so a guest could snip a small bunch rather than tear at the whole. Cast and chased with trailing vines, leaves and bunches of grapes, they are among the prettiest of the small dining tools, and good cased or named-maker pairs are sought after.
Silver grape scissors: what they are
A pair of grape scissors (grape shears) are scissor-form silver cutters with short curved blades and decorative bow handles, used to cut a stem of grapes at the table. Most are Victorian; handles are typically cast with vine, leaf and grape motifs, sometimes with a figural bird or fox. Often boxed as part of a dessert or fruit set. Named makers, fine casting and the original fitted case all lift value. Browse our silver collection.
What collectors look for
Fine cast handles
Deeply modelled vine, leaf and grape (or figural) handles over plain scissor forms.
Named makers
Noted Victorian makers and quality retailers carry a premium; check the marks.
Cased / part of a set
Original fitted case, or a matching dessert/fruit service, adds value.
Condition
Crisp blades that close cleanly, firm pivot, no splits or repairs to the casting.
What are antique silver grape scissors worth?
Valued on casting, maker and case rather than weight:
Indicative only — your scissors depend on casting, maker, case and condition. Send a photo for a free, accurate valuation.
What Determines Value
The factors we assess on silver grape scissors:
- Casting — Deep, crisp vine/leaf/grape or figural handles.
- Maker — Noted makers over unmarked pieces.
- Date — Victorian examples most collected; the hallmark dates it.
- Case / set — Original fitted case or matching service.
- Condition — Clean-closing blades, firm pivot, no repairs.
- Marks — Clear hallmarks on the blades or handles.
Marks are on the blades or handles — look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
How to identify and date your grape scissors
Look on the blades and handles for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark. Plated examples stamped EPNS are worth far less — see our EPNS vs sterling silver guide. The date letter dates them — use our how to read silver hallmarks guide. These are light, so casting, maker and case matter far more than the metal value in the silver price valuation guide.
Grape scissors sit with the dessert and fruit silver. See our guides to silver flatware, fish servers and browse our silver for sale. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Value Your Grape Scissors
Send photographs of the scissors and the marks, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
⚠️ Strictly by appointment only — no walk-ins at either showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver grape scissors — common questions.
What are silver grape scissors?
Scissor-form silver cutters with short curved blades and decorative handles, used to snip a small bunch of grapes from the comport at the dessert table. Mostly Victorian, cast with vine and grape motifs.
How much are antique silver grape scissors worth?
From a modest sum for a plain pair up to a strong premium for finely cast, figural, named-maker or cased pairs. Casting quality, maker, case and condition decide. Send a photo for a free valuation.
Are grape scissors and grape shears the same?
Yes — "grape scissors" and "grape shears" are used interchangeably for the same dessert tool.
Does the original case add value?
Yes. A pair in its original fitted case, or as part of a matching dessert service, is more desirable and valuable than loose scissors.
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Look for the lion passant hallmark on the blades or handles. Plated scissors are marked EPNS or A1 and worth far less. Send a photo of the marks and we'll confirm.
Where can I sell antique silver grape scissors in the UK?
Mozeris Fine Antiques are specialist silver buyers with showrooms in Mayfair, London and Braintree, Essex. We offer free, no-obligation valuations — send photos or visit by appointment.
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the grape scissors and the marks. We'll respond within one working day.