A very fine Cape tablespoon by a maker who has a reputation of excellent quality, clearly evident in this spoon. Whilst this spoon was made c1850, it is a copy of an earlier 18th century style (Hanoverian with turn up, and the crest on the back of the spoon). The crest is beautiful, a hand holding an elaborate cross and the motto "FORTIS IN ARDUIS", ("Brave in Difficulties"). The hallmarks are very clear, showing makers initials and pseudo English hallmarks. Waldek took over the business of Lawrence Twentyman when he moved to India. Note - A customer and descendant of Lawrence Twentyman has now identified this crest and armorial as the Deas-Thomson family. This spoon probably belonged to John Deas-Thomson (Junior), he arrived in the Cape in 1829 as Clerk of the Check. He also became Naval Storekeeper and Agent Victualler based in Simonstown, a post he held until 1845 when he was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 14 years transportation to Australia. John married Carolina Francis Stoll in 1831, they h...

A lovely Russian silver sardine fork in traditional style, the handle a well modelled fish, connected to the 3 pronged fork with a curved, twisted stem. The 3 prongs are also curved, and have short wide tines with flattened ends, for ease of use. The hallmarks include makers mark CH (or CB?), 84 standard mark and town mark, which is a little worn. Our best estimate is Novgorod or Orel (Watts, Russian Silver Hallmarks, pg 42-45), we are open to correction here. Note 1 (2015) - This sardine fork has now been featured in an article entitled "Russian Silver Flatware Servers" by Dale Bennett, in the Magazine "Silver", January 2015, pages 14-19. It is described as "a most unusual flatware server", the author has never seen or heard of another Russian sardine fork. He describes it as a "highly imaginative server, with solid cast realistic sardine terminal". He describes the prongs as spade shaped, not sharp or pointed as in American sardine forks used for spearing, this is a lifter. He confirms town mark of Novgoro...

Plain Cape saltspoon in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and very clear pseudo English hallmarks and makers mark.

Typically late Victorian sugar sifter with ornate cast handle depicting flowers and foliage, and gilded bowl. Hallmarks very clear.

Rare Russian tablespoon by Kordes, one of the very few silversmith's who were commissioned to work for the Imperial Family. The Assay Master is A. Mitin, who worked from 1842 - 1877. The town mark for St. Petersburg is the crossed anchors and scepter, and is in a square shield with corners, indicating the date of 1873. The 84 standard mark and makers mark are also clear. The assay master mark is clear, but the date letter is worn.

A lovely Victorian silver Christening spoon of very good quality in original leather case, reproducing the earlier 17th century Dognose pattern (as was popular in late Victorian times). The hallmarks are clear, including journeymans mark (the journeyman was the silversmith who made the spoon in the George Adams' workshop). George Adams was highly regarded, and was the leading spoonmaker of Victorian England

Plain Cape Fiddle pattern Tablespoon, with very clear English Pseudo hallmarks. No makers mark is present, but the letter M is impressed twice, this has only been recorded on silver by Beck. Beck worked from Shortmarket Street and Greenmarket Square.

Plain, good hallmarks, English Pseudo and makers name. Daniel arrived in the Cape in 1820 (one of the settlers) as a child from Dublin, his Father (who had the same name) was also a silversmith.

A lovely late Victorian American Sterling silver hand mirror, by the highly regarded Gorham company. The mirror is embossed in deep relief with roses, with very fine detail. The quality is exceptional, this is a lovely item, a real work of art by a master craftsman. The hallmarks are clear, the Gorham Lion, Anchor and Gothic G, "Sterling" and date letter O.