Robert Welch for Old Hall Alveston Cutlery Canteen, 1960s (UK)

An original Alveston stainless steel cutlery canteen designed by Robert Welch for Old Hall, England, during the early 1960s.

The cutlery has slender, gently tapering handles with a satin stainless steel finish. The knives have lightweight hollow handles, a distinctive feature of Welch’s design, which improved their balance and handling.

The set is housed in its original fitted wooden canteen, combining teak and rosewood with a green felt lining. The two hinged side compartments fold out to reveal the neatly arranged cutlery, creating an attractive presentation when opened.

Comprising table and dessert knives and forks, tablespoons, soup spoons, teaspoons, coffee spoons, two serving spoons and a cheese knife.

An exceptionally well-preserved example of British midcentury design, with both the cutlery and its original wooden case in pristine condition.

Designer and Manufacturer

Robert Welch (1929-2000) was one of Britain’s leading postwar industrial designers. He studied at the Royal College of Art before establishing his studio in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, in 1955.

That same year, he was appointed consultant designer to J. & J. Wiggin, manufacturers of Old Hall stainless steel tableware.

Welch’s work for Old Hall helped establish stainless steel as a material for contemporary domestic design. His approach combined simple geometric forms with careful consideration of function, proportion and balance.

Introduced in 1963, the Alveston cutlery range became one of his most successful designs, receiving a prestigious Design Centre Award in 1965.

Condition

Pristine vintage condition. Both the stainless steel cutlery and original fitted wooden canteen are exceptionally well preserved

Dimensions

Wooden canteen:

Width: 51 cm

Depth: 35.5 cm

Height: 10.5 cm