Hi Julie,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Josiah Williams was a notable 19th-century British silversmith based in Exeter, England. He operated under the firm Josiah Williams & Co., one of the most important silversmithing businesses in the region. The company was active from the mid-to-late 19th century and was known for producing high-quality silverware, particularly flatware and tableware.

Williams' silver pieces were typically marked with the Exeter assay office hallmark, as Exeter was one of the provincial assay offices in England before its closure in 1883. After the closure, many silversmiths, including Williams' firm, sent their silver to be assayed in London.

His work is well-regarded among collectors for its craftsmanship and elegant designs, often featuring traditional patterns popular in Victorian England. If you're looking for specific pieces or hallmarks, examining auction listings, antique silver dealers, or museum collections might provide more insight into his surviving works.

Increasingly few people sit down for a proper breakfast anymore, and toast has fallen victim to various low-carb diets but many have been reincarnated as elegant desk-top organizers for small papers, etc. When comparable toast racks have come to market recently, they usually sell between £250-350, with some falling short of that value and only a few with notable provenance exceeding it.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Victorian sterling silver toast rack
marks of Josiah Williams, Exeter, UK, date mark for 1877
Of oval section with beaded lower bar issuing seven graduated arched dividers centering an arched holder, raised on short decorated bracket feet.
14cm (5-1/2 inches) high, 17cm (6-5/8 inches) long, 11cm (4-3/8 inches) wide
CONDITION: This toast rack appears to be in very good age-appropriate condition with minor scuffs and nicks commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
£250-350*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia