http://leopardantiques.com/ en-us Fri, 18 May 2012 18:34:44 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/549 A circular silver bowl, with the crest of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, and the date 1937 engraved on it. The 2 lizards or salamanders are used in the crest of the Ironmongers as they could reputably survive fire. The Company of Ironmongers is one of the 12 great livery companies, 10th in order of precedence (The Goldsmiths are 5th). The bowl was made to commemorate the coronation of King George VI in 1937, and would probably have been distributed to it's freemen. The company is still active today, and its hall (destroyed during WW1) can be rented out for functions. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark C.E, who has not been identified, but who worked between 1924 and 1956 (www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk, on our links page). Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/549 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/563 An interesting antique silver spoon, used as a prize in a rifle shooting competition in Natal (now Kwazulu Natal), South Africa. The stem has the cast inscription "For Making Central Bulls Eye", the back of the bowl has an applied plaque, the emblem of the Natal Rifle Association. It contains a seated Boer soldier on a horse, with the motto "Semper Parati" (Always Prepared), and the date 1862, we assume the date the association was formed. The horse and rider are well modelled, as can be seen in the photos. Semper Parati is now the motto of the Boy Scout movement, perhaps Baden Powell encountered it during his time in South Africa during the Boer war. The spoon was made by the highly regarded Levi & Salaman, and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1905. Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/563 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/568 An interesting 17th century style silver notched 2 pronged fork, a replica of the earliest known English table fork. The fork has 3 notches at the top of the stem, a rare feature seen occasionally on puritan spoons. The original, made in 1632, is known as the Manners Fork, and is in the V&A museum in London. The original belonged to the Rutland family of Haddon Hall, and has the crest of John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland. This fork is a good gauge, very pleasing to use, we tested it on cold meats and olives! The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark FH for Francis Howard, the firm worked between 1900 and 1986. A real talking point for your dinner table. Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/568 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/594 A lovely 9 carat gold HMS Conway rowing medallion, awarded to L.H. Barradell, rowing at position 5 (we assume of 8). The medallion is beautifully cast, with a very realistically modelled ship. The medallion is perfectly preserved in its original box, marked "Old Fields Limited, Post Office Place, Church St, Liverpool". The hallmarks are very clear and include "9" and "375" indicating 9 carat gold. HMS Conway was a 19th century wooden battleship, used as a Naval Training School for cadets. It was stationed on the Mersey in Liverpool, which accounts for the origin of the medallion. It operated between 1859 and 1953. The motto was "Quit Ye Like Men Be Strong". L.H. Barradell rose to the rank of Commander, he completed his career in Kenya. He was awarded the Legion of Honour (Crois de Chevalier) by the President of the French Republic in recognition of his services during the war (www.hmsconway.org web site). Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/594 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/616 A silver sauce boat, of traditional 18th century design, with gadrooned rim, flying scroll handle and 3 hoof feet. It is a good size and superb weight and quality, unlike many light and flimsy copies made at this time. This excellent quality is what we have come to expect from the Barnard's, who are the oldest manufacturing silversmiths in existance, the business being founded in 1773 (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths, pg 29). They are known for their very fine reproductions of earlier styles, this sauce boat is no exception. The hallmarks are very clear. Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/616 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/573 A Cape silver basting (or serving) spoon in the Fiddle pattern, by Willem Godfried Lotter, one of the members of the famous Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. The spoon is engraved with initials CIT in fancy script, this is original. This is a good solid spoon, very suitable for use, the bowl is a good gauge and the tip is excellent. The hallmarks are clear, and consist of makers mark WGL between 2 diamond devices (actually square with a cross in the middle), mark 89 in Cape Silver by Stephan Welz. Willem Lotter worked between 1810 and 1835, his work is represented in the Paarl musuem. David Heller (History of Cape Silver) regarded Lotter as one of the top Cape silversmiths. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/573 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/575 A lovely 18th century Dutch silver miniature milk jug, baluster shape on 3 scrolling feet, with a wavy rim. It is excellent quality, very well made, and in wonderful condition. It was made by Johannes van Geffen, grandson to Arnoldus van Geffen, the most celebrated of all Dutch miniature silver makers. This jug is identical to a jug depicted in Miniature Silver Toys by Victor Houart, pg 62, even the detail on the legs and handle is identical. The one depicted in the book was made in 1762 by Arnoldus van Geffen, so interesting to see the grandson copying his grandfather's work with such exact detail. The hallmarks are very clear, Amsterdam town mark with date letter Z for 1784, and makers mark of a hunting horn in a heart, topped by a crown for Johannes van Geffen. Johannes worked between 1766 and 1798. This milkjug matches a teapot (S 1576) also made by Johannes van Geffen in 1784. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/575 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/600 A set of 4 Scottish Provincial silver teaspoons in the Celtic pointed pattern, by James Douglas of Dundee. The spoons have original script initials BS. The hallmarks include makers mark ID for James Douglas, followed by a crowned shield and topped heart, used by Douglas (Turner, Directory of Scottish Provincial Silver, pg 62). The hallmarks are clear, especially the topped heart mark, which is in an unusually shaped punch, almost heart shaped. James Douglas worked in Dundee between 1796 and 1820. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/600 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/603 A Georgian Scottish silver Kings pattern basting spoon, with matching tablespoon. Both spoons are single struck, as is usual with Scottish flatware, and are engraved with initials H in fancy script, on the back of the spoons. These are lovely, substantial spoons, very suitable for use as serving spoons. The basting spoon is by Alexander Wotherspoon (1834), the tablespoon is by unknown maker WS, 1830. Both have excellent hallmarks. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/603 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/607 A rare Victorian silver postal scale, in full working order. The scale is intended for measuring postal items, so that the correct postage could be applied. This scale would have been used in a wealthy household, not a Post Office. The front is engraved "Postal Scale" on top, on the side "Postal Union Rates 2 1/2 d for each 1/2 ounce." To the left is engraved "English Rates" above measuring scale from 1d - 4d in 1/2 increments. To the right are 2 measures, 1 marked "LB" for pounds (scale 0 to 1 LB), to the right "OZ" for ounces measuring from 1-16. The engraving is exquisite, this is a lovely item. The base is rectangular with a Chippendale rim. The scale also has a knob (for adjusting scale) behind the pan, and a silver screw for opening the scale. The side of the scale is fully hallmarked, a registration number RD 308820, is also present. The top pan is also hallmarked, these are worn from polishing. Levi & Salaman were established in 1870, they were known for their high quality silver novelties. Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0200 http://leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/607