A rare early 19th Century mother of pearl set gold and silver musical fruit knife. Small brass musical mechanism concealed within the handle. Pin set barrel and seven blue steel tinges. The music played by moving the small steel slide and releasing it in a similar fashion to a repeating watch. Gold engine turned handle with fluted gold ferrule. Covered by mother of pearl on both sides similarly decorated with engraved inlaid gold cartouches. Engraved silver blade with fluted base. Accompanied by a letter from the South Kensington Museum which appears to have been used to wrap around the knife. An unusual and attractive piece in excellent overall condition. The letter from the Science and Art Department of the South Kensington museum is dated 16 November 1898 thanks Mrs Salamon for loaning the knife for inclusion in an exhibition. The museum is now known as the Victoria & Albert Museum.