A delightful antique silver chamber candlestick, used for lighting one to bed. The chamberstick has a circular drip tray, and an attractive handle with reeded decoration. It has an original conical snuffer, which slots into the sconce, and removable nozzle, which made it easier to clean melted wax. Both the chamberstick and snuffer have a matching family crest of a stags head. The chamber candlestick was made by the important makers Wakelin & Taylor, Royal Goldsmiths who made a great deal of silver for the Prince of Wales, they also produced for the King. The snuffer and removable nozzle were made in 1799 ad 1801 by Joseph Taconet and William Stroud respectively, it was not unusual for the smaller items to be made by other makers. Given the matching crest on snuffer and chamberstick, we believe these to be original. The hallmarks are clear on all 3 pieces. The Wakelin and Taylor makers mark, complete with Fleur de Lys (Grimwade 1764) is excellent, this piece also has the rare incuse duty mark, only used in 17...

Magnificent silver sauce boat, with three fabulous applied lion mask and paw feet. The sauce boat is traditional shape, has a gadrooned rim and double scroll handle, with leaf cap. The boat is very heavy and is extremely good quality, it is a pleasure to hold and use. The hallmarks are clear, but the maker's mark is only partially struck, but still clear enough to determine. This is a replica of an earlier style, the design is a typical Paul de Lamerie design, circa 1740-1745. De Lamerie often used the applied lion mask and paw feet. Pairpoint Brothers worked between 1879 and 1937. To quote Culme in "Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 355", "of the place occupied by the four Pairpoint Brothers in the silver world, little is necessary to be said, for their silver mark may be seen in every retail silver merchant's window in London. It is admitted on all sides by experts, sometimes with a sigh of regret, sometimes with a grin of malice, that Pairpoint copies of ancient patterns are dangerously near b...

An Arts & Crafts hand made silver dish, with a green enamel silver "button" with celtic design, surrounded by a rope border. The dish is hand hammered, with each hammer mark visible, this is a lovely little dish. It is embossed "A.E.S., 20th Dec 1913", so possibly made as a Christening present. Ramsden & Carr specialised in unique hand made and individually designed presentation pieces (Judith Miller, Arts & Crafts Collectors Guide, pg 171), this dish is a good example. They have been described as "the most important exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement in English silver" - Art Nouveau &Art Deco Silver, Annelise Krekel-Aalberse, pg 27). The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark Rn&Cr, struck twice on the base of the dish. One mark is very clear, the other is only partially visible.

A magnificent Elkington silver salver, of very generous proportions, circular with a cast border decorated with 4 faces (the 4 seasons), and an elaborate shell and scroll border. The salver is exceptional quality and weight, weighing 4.65 kilogrammes (164 ounces), so this is a very large and heavy salver. The salver rests on 8 shell feet (4 double feet). It has very clear hallmarks, and is also stamped "Elkington & Co, 31921", which is probably a pattern number. The four faces are as follows: 1. Old man with flowing beard 2. Young woman with wheat sheaves 3. Young woman with roses 4. Young woman with vines and grapes. The border is cast, as can be seen in the photograph of the back of the rim.

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).

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.

A very fine pair of Georgian silver barrel shaped beakers by the well known Bateman family; Peter, Ann and William. The beakers are patterned as half barrels, complete with individual staves and the hoops to hold them in place. This set is not intended to fit together to form a single barrel, as is sometimes the case with this form, they do not have the push-fit rim, and the crests are both aligned the same way (one crest would have been reversed if intended to fit together). The beakers are very good quality, a satisfying gauge and weight, they have a lovely feel in the hand, suitable for use (with a fine scotch whisky!). Both beakers have an interesting family crest, a dragons head above a Ducal coronet, between feathered wings, the engraving is crisp. This crest can be associated with the Dalton, Draycott and Codrington families. Peter Bateman was Hester Bateman's 2nd son, Ann Bateman was married to his brother Jonathan (who unfortunately died young in 1791), and Willam was the son of Ann and Jonathan. T...

A delightful and attractive silver miniature replica tankard, commemorating the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Merchant Taylors Company in 1327. The tankard is a replica of an original Irish tankard with Dublin hallmarks for 1680. The tankard has acanthus and laurel leaf embossing to the lower body, as well as an embossed cross and floral design on the base. The lid has a scrolled thumbpiece, and the flat stepped lid is decorated with the figure of a mans head (very unusual), with a circular band of decoration. The tankard also has a well engraved coat of arms of the Merchant Taylors Company, with motto "Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt" (In Harmony Small Things Grow), and "Merchant Taylors Co 1st Charter 1327" engraved underneath. The Merchant Taylors Company is one of the 12 great London livery companies. They are based in the Merchant Taylors Hall (Threadneedle Street & Cornhill), they have occupied this location since 1347. They are now a philanthropical social organisation. The tankard contains a ...

A Victorian silver wine bottle stand, with blank central cartouche (suitable for engraving), with embossed shell and scroll decoration, raised edge and 4 very ornate scrolling feet. It is a good weight and is good quality, and suitable for use. The base is engraved "Hunt & Roskell, Late Storr & Mortimer, 8095". The sterling lion, town mark, date letter and duty mark are clear, but the makers mark is very faint and barely visible (although not necessary with the full name engraved on the base). Hunt & Roskell were the most prestigious silversmiths of Victorian England, having descended from Paul Storr, the most famous of English silversmiths. They were silversmiths and jewellers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and had an important display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1865 it was recorded that they were the largest holders of precious stones in Europe (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, pg 245).

Two rare Georg Jensen sterling silver items designed by Count Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen in the 1930's. The first is a cigarette cup, design number 825A, and the second is a candy dish, design number 825 (both items carry the design number on the base). Both have the same simple but elegant design, and rest on the same arch patterned foot. Both items are hallmarked "Georg Jensen, Denmark Sterling, 925S", and both have the designers signature "Sigvard" along with the pattern number described above. Count Sigvard Bernadotte, often referred to as "The Design Prince of Sweden", lived between 1907 and 2002. He was the son of King Gustav VI of Sweden, Great Grandson of Queen Victoria, and Uncle to Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. Originally Prince Sigvard, he lost his title when he married a commoner. He spent his career as a designer, not only in silver but ceramics, glass, plastics, furniture and even logos. He co-founded the Swedish Society of Industrial Designers (SVID), and his designs can be found in ma...

A good quality antique silver replica of what is commonly referred to as "The Tudor Cup", which became famous when it was sold (as part of the Dunn-Gardner collection) at Christies auction in 1901 for GBP 4100, the highest price ever paid for a piece of silver at that time. John Dunn-Gardner, of Soham Manor, had a legendary collection of silver, the sale covered 6 volumes. The original cup of 1521, with scallop shell makers mark, is also known as the Holms cup, named after a previous owner. The original cup is now part of the collection of the Royal Scottish Museum, who purchased it in 1958 for GBP 9500. The museum's resources were augmented by the National Art Collection's fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, H.M. Treasury and 2 private donors, enabling the cup to be kept in Great Britian (Ian Finlay, Silver in the Royal Scottish Museum, Connoisseur June 1959), where the original cup is pictured. The original cup is also pictured in the book "Old London Silver" by Howard (pg 100). ...

A lovely antique silver child's porringer, in traditional Queen Anne style, although it was made in Georgian times. The porringer has a central cartouche with script initials MB, which are Victorian in style so would have been added by a later owner. The porringer is decorated with curved lobes and flutes, and the cartouche is surrounded by foliage. The porringer also has punched floral decoration, and the S shaped handles are banded. The gauge is quite thin, more suited for display than for use. The base of the porringer is engraved "RB over IG, 1769", in contemporary engraving, indicating the porringer could have originally been a wedding present, or a christening present for a child born the following year. Porringers of the small (child's size) size are quite rare, few have survived. The hallmarks are very clear, and although the makers mark punch has some wear, it is still legible.

A Spanish silver porringer, inset with a Spanish eight reale coin (one of the famous "pieces of eight") dated 1618, the reign of Philip III (1578-1621). The porringer is hand beaten, with the individual hammer marks clearly visible, creating an attractive pattern. The rim is folded over, and the cast flat handle has a scrolling design. The handle is quite crudely cast, we believe a sign of age. We have dated the porringer 17th century to co-incide with the date of the coin, but it could be later, with an old coin inset. The coin is well preserved on both sides. The reverse reads "Hispania RVM REX 1618" (King of the Spanish), with 2 castles and lion rampants in quatrefoil design (Arms of Castile & Leon). The obverse has the crowned Hapsburg shield, with the Segovia aqueduct mint mark and assayer initial A to the left, and VIII (8 reales) demarcation to the right. It reads "Philippus III DG". The porringer has 4 hallmarks, but given their proximity to the rim are only partially struck, so they are not clearly ...

An antique silver picture frame, in Art Nouveau form, depicting 3 farm workers in the fields cutting hay with scythes, with a village church in the background, with the motto "Peace hath her victories, Milton". The quote by Milton (1608-1674) apparently in a letter to Lord General Cromwell, is the first line of a sonnet "Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war". This line is amongst the most remembered of Milton's work. The hallmarks are small but clear, and the frame also has a registration number (to protect the design being copied). This frame has a new black velvet backing professionally done, the original velvet backings on these antique picture frames is often in very poor condition. With the new backing, this frame is suitable for daily use and display.

An important Royal silver brandy saucepan, which was given by Queen Victoria to her grandson Prince Christian Victor (Christle) of Schleswig-Holstein in 1868 as a christening present. The quality of the saucepan is excellent, it is the usual bulbous shape with a spout and turned ivory handle. It has a detachable domed lid, with a hinged projection for covering the spout, and an ivory and silver finial. The interior is gilt, it sits on a raised foot and has the traditional heart shaped join between body and handle. The saucepan and lid are both decorated with scrolling foliage and flowers, which is beautifully engraved. The lid fits snugly, the hinge is excellent, and the handle and finial are firmly secure. The saucepan is engraved "From his Grandmama Victoria R, 14 April 1868" on the front, the back has a scrolling foliate cartouche with the engraved initials "CV" below a coronet. The hallmarks are very clear, and are accompanied by the number 113 struck into the base (perhaps a pattern number?). The base al...

A silver quaich of traditional shape, with 2 flat lug handles, and quite a large size. It is quite plain, which accentuates its lovely shape. The base is engraved "H.H. Plante, 12 Bury St, St James, S.W.", and the hallmarks are very clear. Quaiches are traditional Scottish drinking vessels, one's this size were passed around at ceremonial occasions. They are popular christening gifts in Scotland. The firm of H.H. Plante (Henry Hudson Plante) worked between 1907 and 1980.

A charming Cape silver snuffbox, retangular in form, and quite small in size. It is decorated with typically Cape engraving, generally a crude series of lines and dots. The cover is quite unusual, having a central shield cartouche (engraved "MMM Le R 1851") surrounded by 2 Scottish thistles - this design is very rare on Cape silver. The surname "Le R" (possibly Le Roux?) is probably French Huguenot in origin, the Scottish thistles are a mystery. The sides of the box have a zig-zag design, the base a blank rectangular design. The interior is gilded, and the base of the interior has an engraved sunburst design. The hallmarks are on the rim of the lid, and consist of makers initials JJV surrounded by 2 acorn devices (Welz mark 159). They are quite small but clear and well struck, but given the location difficult to see. JJ Vos was one of the last 2 surviving Cape Silversmiths, he worked between 1841 and 1882 (Welz).

A Georgian silver Christening mug, in the shape of a barrel, decorated with reeded bands. The interior is gilt, and the handle is also decorated with reeded bands. This type of Christening mug was popular between 1800 and 1820 (Waldron, Price Guide to Antique Silver, pg 190). The hallmarks are clear with the exception of the makers mark, which is only partially visible. The first letter T is clear, but the second letter is worn (could be D, P or R).

A Victorian silver commemorative trowel with ivory handle, of very good quality, with presentation inscription surrounded by scrolling foliage and flowers. The inscription reads "To commemorate the laying of the first stone of the New University of Cape Town by Mrs William Hawke, 28th February 1925". William Hawke of Hawke and McKinley was the architect responsible for the Groote Schuur campus of UCT, a magnificent set of buildings still in use today. UCT is ranked today as one of South Africa's leading universities. The hallmarks are very clear. Atkin Brothers was in business from 1853 to 1958, when they were taken over by CJ Vander Ltd. William Hawke and his partner W McKinley were trained and worked in the UK, Hawke worked in the London Admirality Office of Works, where he assisted with the design of the Simonstown sanatorium (now Naval Signal School). They had a flair for prize winning designs, and in 1905 they won first premium for the Cape of Good Hope University buildings (later UCT). They moved to Ca...

A lovely commemorative Scottish silver box, beautifully engraved on the lid with 3 different armorials. The sides of the box are decorated with an attractive flower, leaf and bow design, and the interior is silver gilt. The inscription reads "From Friends at Archers Hall to Charles Stewart, Match Secretary, 1891-1901, 22nd October 1901." Archers Hall was built in 1777 for the Royal Company of Archers, the oldest surviving company of longbowmen in Britain. Today a private club, they provide the bodyguard for the sovereign in Scotland (ceremonial today). Members must be Scottish, and are drawn from politicians, military officers and nobility. They compete annually for the "Edinburgh Arrow". The central coat of arms, with motto "Nobilis Ira" (Noble Wrath), has the shield topped with Peers helmet and demi lion rampant. This is the coat of arms of the Stewarts. The armorial to the left is the Royal coat of arms as used in Scotland, but unusually with the English motto "Dieu et Mon Droit" (God and my Right). The 3...