Engine turned vinaigrette with beautiful grille. The cartouche is initialled with initial T, the base has bright cut wrigglework with flowerhead. The interior is gilt. Joseph Willmore is described by Eric Delieb (Silver Boxes) as "a superlative silversmith, who worked in the trade for almost half a century".

A delightful silver vinaigrette, one of the smaller ones we have seen. The vinaigrette is decorated with an attractive, irregular pattern, and has a vacant cartouche. The grill is plain, with a light yellow gilding, the interior of the box has a lovely reddy gold gilding. The hallmarks are clear, and include Georgian duty mark, makers mark L&Co (Jackson pg 355), sterling lion, anchor town mark for Birmingham, and date letter X for 1821.The grill is also hallmarked with a lion, before the holes were stamped. The vinaigrette was an essential fashion accessory at the beginning of the 19th century, it contained scented vinegar on a sponge, used "to restore the sickly back to vigorous health" (Helliwell, Collecting small silverware, pg 148). Ledsam and Vale (1818-1826) are highly regarded makers, they were joined by Wheeler in 1826.

Plain but pleasing Nathaniel Mills snuffbox, with gilt interior and an attractive crest. The crest, which is slightly worn, has a scalloped cartouche containing a griffin, encased by scrolling palms.

A regimental silver match box cover (large size matchbox), with gold crest of the 21st Empress of India Lancers. The box is engraved "Presented by MJ Stapylton Late 21st Hussars", and stands on 4 bun feet. The box is hallmarked, but these are now worn due to over zealous polishing in the mess. The box is also engraved "Asprey London". Major Miles John Stapylton of the Yorkshire Hussars and 21st Lancers was Lord of the Manor of Eston in Myton, York. He was born in 1869 and married in 1900, he had 3 children. The regimental history is interesting. The were designated 21st Hussars in India in 1861, and in 1897 they were re-designated and equipped as 21st Lancers in Cairo. In 1898 they were the only regular cavalry to serve with the army sent to re-conquer Sudan to end Dervish rule. In the now famous Charge at Omdurman, they lost 21 men and won 3 Victoria Crosses. Winston Churchill participatedin this action as a lieutenant. As a result of the charge, they were awarded the title "21st Empress of India Lancers" by...

An attractive and dainty Georgian silver vinaigrette of very small dimensions, definitely made for a lady. It is engraved with a Scottish thistle on the base, and has a plain but decorative grill. The lid has a tiny cartouche surrounded by leaves in an oval design, the engraving is pretty but a bit chunky. The gilded grill has an unusual pierced pattern, done by hand, and the original sponge is still present. The hallmarks are very clear on both the lid and base, the grill is also hallmarked. Poole (Identifying Antique British Silver) identifies Bettridge working between 1817 and 1834, as this box is 1837 those dates must be considered erroneous. Bettridge is known for his fine quality silver boxes.

Delightful heart shaped vesta case in excellent condition, with engraved initials FVB. The hallmarks are very clear, the lid is also hallmarked. This case has a nice feel in the hand. Vesta cases (called matchsafes in USA) were used to carry wax vesta matches (predate safety matches), they were struck on the serrated edge of the case.

A beautiful French Niello snuffbox with a huntsman in 17th century period dress with his dogs. Gilt interior with inscription - From William Yates to John Rutherford, Sept 16th 1888. The box is fully hallmarked on the lid rim with the Paris standard mark for 1819-1838, the middle guarantee mark, and a makers mark, which appears to be W&W (or M&W or V&W) below a head, above a wagon wheel, set in a diamond (very small so difficult to see).

Interesting double lidded snuffbox with trellis and diaper engraving and a crest, by well known silversmiths. Both the box and both lids are clearly hallmarked.

Mordan perfume bottle in fabulous condition, which has probably never left its original box. Attractive chased decoration of scrolling foliage. Initials TL. Original glass stopper in perfect condition. Gilt lid interior and very clear hallmarks.

Beautiful, solid, engine turned box with vacant cartouche. Excellent hinge and very snug closure. This box is a very good weight and slightly larger than other snuffboxes. Attractive thumbpiece and gilt interior.

A magnificent silver cigarette case, of exceptional quality, one of the finest we have seen. It is rectangular, and decorated with very finely engraved scrolling foliage on a stippled background, which is most attractive. The case has a gilt interior, and the original elastic bands. The case has a circular cartouche, decorated with the Hayes family crest, an attractive lion holding a standard with the motto "Renovate Animos", translated "Renew your Courage". The original owners name, "William Andrew Hayes" is engraved underneath the crest. The hallmarks are very clear, even the clasp knob is hallmarked, a sign of quality. Deakin & Francis, who still exist today after being founded in 1786, are known for their high quality small silverware.

A very typical Cape snuff box, relatively crude in comparison to its English counterparts. Rectangular, rounded corners, bright cut wrigglework enclosing initials ECP, gadrooned thumbpiece. Interior has gilt remnants. Very clear makers mark.

A delightful Hanau silver box, the lid and sides decorated with embossed panels, including bowl of flowers, musical instruments, laurel wreath and claret jug, complete with goblet and grapes. The panels are bordered with a floral leaf design. The interior of the box is gilt. The box has a very clear set of Hanau pseudo hallmarks, which have been described as amongst the "most difficult and confusing area of silver hallmark study", as the marks were never registered and no records exist. The marks include pseudo crowned leopards head (Scheffler 538), pseudo lion passant (Scheffler 540) and pseudo dolphin (Scheffler 534). The small mark is genuine, being the Austro-Hungarian mark for imported articles between 1901 and 1921 (Tardy, pg 75). The mark, which also appears on the lid, has a capital B, indicating the city of Lienz. The Hanau silversmiths specialised in antique reproductions, generally of very good quality, so much so they often exhibited at international expositions. Gebruder Dingeldein was founded i...

A beautiful barley twist perfume bottle with gilt interior. The original glass stopper is in perfect condition. This bottle has a lovely feel in one's hand.

9 carat gold, beautifully cast and chased in the form of a clam shell. Beautiful hinge.

Design registered by the retailer Thornhill of New Bond Street on 21 June 1870. The bugle carries the registry mark, Thornhill engraving and full hallmarks for Sampson Mordan, London 1874. Has hanging chain and screw stopper on separate chain, both original. The perfume bottle cap is also hallmarked, and has the original cork stopper, in excellent condition. It is a screw cap which fits snugly and closes perfectly.

A truly stunning Nathaniel Mills gilt vinaigrette, slightly larger than average. The box is gilt with scrolling foliate decoration, and has the initials JL engraved on the lid. The grille is beautiful, with intricate flowers and scrolling vegetation. The inscription is engraved on an inserted plate (which covers the date stamp) and reads "Presented to Dr Lamprey as a token of gratitude for his kind and unremitting attention to the Rev.d Dr Fraill during his last illness 21 April 1847".

A beautiful silvergilt engine turned snuffbox with a chocolate brown agate (mocha agate) set in a rim of chased flowers, by a silversmith well known for his boxes. This box has a lovely weight and a pleasing feel.

Gilt, engine turned vinaigrette with original sponge and very good hinge. Engraved "J Lang, 1835". Grille has flowers set amongst scrolling foliage.

Lovely Nathaniel Mills cigar case with a beautifully engraved hunting scene, a dog chasing two grouse. The entire case is engraved with scrolls, and the cartouche is engraved "Carole". Hallmarks on the lid and base are very clear.