Sheffield cutlery collector Dennis Smith's treasures on show at Kelham Island

The Hawley Collection, housed by Kelham Island Museum, is reopening with a new exhibition and a challenge to the people of the Sheffield region.
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If you wish to visit the collection, please check out the latest booking conditions for Kelham Island Museum at www.simt.co.uk.

The exhibition features part of the collection of table knives assembled by the late Dennis Smith.

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He was an avid collector in the days before eBay and scoured antique shops and auctions hunting down old knives, flatware and other interesting memorabilia. He had a particular interest in Stannington, Bradfield and Cawthorne.

Top to bottom: a jam spoon with decorated ferrule and finial, Stilton scoop with carved ivory handle, butter spade, caviar and bon bon spoon and an unusual serving spoon whose purpose is unknown. All from the Dennis Smith bequest to the Hawley CollectionTop to bottom: a jam spoon with decorated ferrule and finial, Stilton scoop with carved ivory handle, butter spade, caviar and bon bon spoon and an unusual serving spoon whose purpose is unknown. All from the Dennis Smith bequest to the Hawley Collection
Top to bottom: a jam spoon with decorated ferrule and finial, Stilton scoop with carved ivory handle, butter spade, caviar and bon bon spoon and an unusual serving spoon whose purpose is unknown. All from the Dennis Smith bequest to the Hawley Collection

Dennis was born in 1947 and worked variously as a cutler, food mixer and cemetery worker.

A childhood exploring the ruined mills of Rivelin was partially responsible for his interest in industrial history.

He is possibly remembered by local librarians as the schoolboy who left grubby finger marks on The Oxford History of Technology.

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Dennis wrote a number of articles and in 1976 published The Cutlery Industry in the Stannington Area.

Ornate examples of 'pistol grip' knife handlesOrnate examples of 'pistol grip' knife handles
Ornate examples of 'pistol grip' knife handles

This was reprinted by the Stannington Local History Group in 2015 and is a well-respected piece of research on this topic.

With Martin Spray he co-authored an article, The Rise and Fall of Holly in the Sheffield Area about the Rivelin Valley.

He also wrote about aspects of life in Bradfield and Cawthorne and collected photographs and title deeds about these areas.

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When Dennis died, he had no living relatives and it is fortunate that of his long-standing friends one was the late Ken Hawley and an obvious place for Dennis Collection was the Hawley Gallery at Kelham Island.

The oldest knife in the Hawley collection, probably dating 1350 -1550, has holes in the handle so it can be worn on a beltThe oldest knife in the Hawley collection, probably dating 1350 -1550, has holes in the handle so it can be worn on a belt
The oldest knife in the Hawley collection, probably dating 1350 -1550, has holes in the handle so it can be worn on a belt

The volunteers at Hawley are in the process of cataloguing his collection.

He left over a thousand items of cutlery and flatware, including a magnificent collection of 16th to 19th-century table knives, ornamental Victorian flatware, hundreds of pen and pocket knives, including early pieces from Stannington, and highly-decorated pen knives with mother of pearl scales.

He collected old photographs of rural scenes in Bradfield, Oughtibridge and Stannington, land registration and wills of local people, some of the Rivelin artist William Lowes’ sketches and paintings and vintage postcards from the Victorian period.

Beautifully-decorated table knives from Dennis Smith's donations to the Hawley CollectionBeautifully-decorated table knives from Dennis Smith's donations to the Hawley Collection
Beautifully-decorated table knives from Dennis Smith's donations to the Hawley Collection
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His close friend Michael tells a story of him going to look at some old knives with Ken Hawley, who had given him a lift

One of the knives was of interest to both of them and Dennis bagged it before Ken could get a look in.

The journey home was apparently rather tense.

One of the earliest knives has a hole made in the handle where it would be attached to someone’s belt.

Typically knives like this date from 1350 -1550, certainly the oldest knife in the Hawley collection.

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Dating the collection of knives is a challenge but the shape of the knives gives us a clue.

Up to 1700, knives tended to have a pointed end but after that date the scimitar blade with pistol grip handles were fashionable.

From the 1800s the knife shape that most of us are familiar with was popular.

Some of the most decorated knives in the collection are the dessert knives that were silver or silver plated in order that the acid from fruit didn’t make them rust.

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The collection of flatware items shows off the mother of pearl handles and the different functions that table implements were used for.

These were from left to right, jam spoon with decorated ferrule and finial, Stilton scoop with carved ivory handle, butter spade, caviar and bon bon spoon and an unusual serving spoon, purpose unknown.

Denis had an eye for the unusual and the highly-decorated materials ranging from porcelain agate, mother of pearl and carved bone and ivory .

I also mention that we have a challenge for all you Sheffielders. Is your name on a knife blade?

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Volunteers have been busy during shutdown and completed what is probably the most extensive database of table knife makers in Sheffield.

This interactive knife wall can be accessed from a computer or smart phone – simply visit www.hawleysheffieldknives.com.

To search the item, just enter the first letter of your surname and follow the next instruction, it’s really easy to use.

As part of Heritage Open Week, we are looking to get 5,000 people to explore the website.

So please take a look and share with your friends.

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If you have some information or a knife to add to the record, please contact us at [email protected]

*Kelham Island Museum has opened to visitors again from 11am-3pm Monday to Thursday and 11am-4pm at weekends.

Adult admission has been reduced to £5 for adults and children under 16 get in free.

There's a limited amount of tickets available each day, so it’s best to book in advance via the website to make sure you haven’t had a wasted journey.

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The Island Café+Bar and the Millowners Arms pub at the museum are both open daily, with a huge outdoor socially-distanced beer garden with table service.

Both have registered for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, so meals are half price Monday to Wednesday in August.

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and the Shepherd Wheel remain closed at the moment.

Weston Park Museum has also reopened from 11am to 3pm daily.

Again, it’s preferable to book and details are available at www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/weston-park/planning-a-visit