A fabulous Victorian Scottish silver Rams Head snuff mull cover, decorated with an impressive faceted semi precious stone and 6 hardstone cabochons. The cover is dome shaped with a circular base, and is embossed and engraved with Scottish thistles and Celtic knot designs. The central diamond shaped crystal has a diameter of 3.7 cm, this is a large stone. The six hardstone cabochons are 2.2 cm in diameter, colours range from green to red to brown, we imagine Scottish granite. The interior is gilded, and the hallmarks are perfectly preserved. This is the largest and most impressive Rams head snuff mull cover we have seen, we have seen similar smaller examples. The cover would have been mounted on a ceremonial Rams head, used to dispense snuff at a table - we prefer this cover without the original rams head! Mackay & Chisholm were a prestigious Scottish firm, the worked between 1834 and 1941 from Princes Street, Edinburgh.

A rare set of 6 Victorian Military Fiddle Thread antique silver table forks, each over 90 grammes in weight, they have a lovely feel in the hand. The forks have an engraved family crest of a lion rampant, this is crisp and very clear. The hallmarks on all 6 forks are excellent, and include makers marks GA (George Adams) for Chawner & Co, the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian England, known for excellent quality (these fine forks are no exception), See Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, page 82. Military Fiddle and Thread pattern has scrolls instead of shoulders, as do all military variants, this pattern is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware pg 117) as "a scarce variant of the Fiddle Thread pattern, building a service would be difficult".

A pair of antique sterling silver handled sewing scissors, with the sterling handles modeled as 2 snakes with their tails wrapped around their bodies, and steel blades protruding from open mouth. The steel blades have an indent, very similar to that seen on grape scissors, so these could be grape scissors. The steel blades have makers mark triple S around cross. The scissors have 2 sets of hallmarks on both handles, the first original makers mark (eagle device and N), we believe these are Hanau, Germany, possibly Neresheimer, founded 1893. The second set are London import marks for 1900, with F import mark, and importer mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck. Landeck of Campden Town was a known importer of foreign silver from 1891, he died in 1907, his son Boaz Moses Landeck continued with the business.

A matching antique sterling silver knife, fork and spoon, made as a Christening present. They are dessert size, and in an unusual scrolling pattern, possibly an Onslow pattern variant. This scrolling pattern reminds us of the Auricular style, a 17th century German Mannerism style, rarely seen today. The knife has a pistol grip, the blade is also hallmarked sterling silver. They are gilded with a rich golden colour, this gilding is original. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked, the knife handle has an additional FH makers mark for Francis Higgins, so the knife handle was outsourced. F.B. Thomas & Co. was a well known firm of retail silversmiths, established in 1759. Francis Boone Thomas joined the firm aged 21 in 1851, he took control in 1871, he died age 71 in 1900. The firm traded until 1941 when it was severely damaged in an air raid during World War II.

A rare Victorian silver Paxton pattern silver sugar tongs, in excellent condition. The tongs have the Paxton pattern on both arms, the pattern has a central flower with trailing foliage and flowers, with a Gothic border, and a very different and unusual foliage pattern on the tong bowls. The tongs have a good gauge, excellent quality, as you would expect from Chawner, the top maker of Victorian silver flatware. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co. Ian Pickford, in his book "Silver Flatware", describes the Paxton pattern as "a very rare mid-nineteenth century pattern, named after Joseph Paxton the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition. It is illustrated in the Chawner pattern book, services are very rare, odd pieces may be found, building a service would be extremely difficult" - page 231, where a fork dated 1868, also by Chawner and currently in the V&A museum, is illustrated - see also pg. 219 for Chawner pattern book. Joseph Paxton was al...

A lovely set of 6 antique sterling silver coffee spoons (also called demitasse or 5 o'clock teaspoons), in the Marguerite pattern, which was designed by William Codman in 1901. The pattern has flowers and foliage, these are dainty and pretty spoons. No monogrammes are present, and all 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked "STERLING PAT. 1901", and the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G. Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware market in the USA for 125 years (Gorham Silver, page 50).

A mixed set of 6 Irish sterling silver spoons, 2 large mustard spoons, 2 smaller mustard spoons, and 2 small saltspoons (the last 2 a matching pair). The matching salt spoons are Dublin 1925 by Wakely & Wheeler, the 2 smaller mustard are by William Cummins (1829) and Samuel Neville (1832), the 2 larger mustard spoons are Christopher Cummins (1837) and JS (1867). 1 Spoon has a family crest, 2 have engraved initials and 3 are unengraved. All the hallmarks are clear.

A sterling silver dessert fork in the magnificent Bacchanalian pattern. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it was originally produced by Paul Storr. The fork shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back of the fork is also beautifully decorated, with a masque over a theatre curtain, and tilted amphora of wine. Bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. The fork has original owners engraved initials AMD. The fork is extremely good quality, quite heavy to hold, and the hallmarks are clear. They include makers mark FH for Francis Higgins and London hallmarks for 1846. Bacchanalian pattern is shown in "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where a dessert service made by Wakely and Wheeler is depicted. The pattern was originally designed by Thomas Stothard, the famous painter and designer, for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the Royal silversmiths, in 1812, the first service was used by ...

A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tablespoons, tableforks and dessertspoons (6 of each). These are good quality and weight, the forks around 89 grammes each, tablespoons 94 grammes and the dessertspoons 63. All 18 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 18 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870, the tablespoons are 1869. In addition, some pieces carry addit...

A pair of Victorian silver toddy ladles, in the Old English Thread pattern, made in London for a Scottish family. The ladles have engraved Scottish crests of a hand grasping a dagger issuing from a heart, underneath motto "With Heart and Hand", the engraving on both is crisp and clear (only Scottish motto's are above the crest). The ladles are double struck, with pattern on both sides, and the thread is a double thread. They are good quality ladles, a pleasing weight, and preserved in excellent condition. Toddy ladles are uniquely Scottish, and usually single struck, so this London made double struck pair are unusual. The hallmarks on both are very clear, including makers mark H.H for Henry Holland, an important firm established in 1838 that became Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater, until absorbed into Francis Higgins in 1922. The crest and motto are for the Dudgeon family. A notable Victorian London based Dudgeon business was J&W Dudgeon, a shipbuilding and engineering company, they built blockade runners for the...

An interesting Scottish Provincial silver snuff box, presented in Wick in 1868. The box is rectangular, the construction is unusual with a solid wedge shaped lid, overall the box has a hand made feel, slightly crude in finish, the hinge is a little wonky. The box is quite heavy and solidat 82 grammes. The box is engraved with worn scrolls on the lid and front side, this contrasts with the clearer engraving, we assume the box was made earlier and the engraving added later in 1868. It reads "From LJB, Wm Bremner, New Harbour Works, Wick, 1868". No hallmarks are present. This box has an interesting history, Wick was once the world's largest herring fishery port. The harbour was improved and expanded in 1831, James Bremner (we assume father to William), the notable Scottish naval architect, completed the work using ingenious near vertical flagstones, still visible today. Between 1863 and 1868 the harbour was improved again (the New Harbour Works) by adding a breakwater comprised of stone Jennies, it was designed...

A rare Victorian silver Armorial butter spade, where the whole blade displays an engraved family armorial. The butter spade has a bone handle, the blade is shield shaped (as opposed to usual triangular shape,) The armorial (centre cross with 4 crosses) is topped with an engraved lion rampant where the blade joins the handle. The bone handle is connected with a silver ferrule. The hallmarks are well struck and clear. Martin Hall & Co was established by Richard Martin and Ebernezer Hall in 1863 in Sheffield, they produced good quality silver until 1911. Butter spades are described by Ian Pickford as "quite rare" (Silver Flatware pg 180), we have not seen another armorial example.

A magnificent Victorian cast silver Cherub salt, a replica of a style introduced by Paul de Lamerie. The salt have a cast vine leaf bowl, supported by a cherub with arm outstretched, and two dolphin feet supporting the bowl. This is fabulous quality, and the condition is excellent. The cherub (also called amorini and putti, but not cupid as no wings present) is naked except for a small loincloth, he is well modelled, note the detail of his hair. The bowl is a cast vine leaf, also well modelled, and the 2 stylised dolphin feet are copies of those used by Lamerie. The salt is solid, and stands well on the table, no wobble at all. Traces of original gilding are still visible, especially on the harder to reach areas on the body of the cherub (we imagine much of the gilding has been polished off over the years. The cherub is hollow, the casting hole visible under his bottom. The salt is clearly hallmarked on the vine leaf, with makers mark WS in distinctive punch for William Stocker, along with Victorian duty mark...

An antique Dutch silver Zeeland Button costume belt buckle, in excellent condition. The buckle has 14 silver Zeeland buttons (Zilver Zeeuwse Knop), 2 large and 12 small, on a rectangular belt buckle, with central supporting strut for attachment to belt. The buttons themselves are made to a traditional design, with balls and filigree work, each Zeeland district has a slight variation. The buckle has 2 hallmarks, makers mark JW and the Dutch sword mark quality guarantee. The Dutch Button has been part of the Zeeland traditional costume since the 18th century.

An antique sterling silver bowl or ash tray, set in the centre with a copper 1 penny Zuid Afrik. Republiek coin dated 1898. The bowl is engraved "Kruger Coinage", still clearly visible but worn from polishing. This penny was part of the first Kruger coinage, initiated in 1892 by President Paul Kruger. The bowl is dated 1900, which co-incides with the Anglo Boer War, we are not sure of the significance. The hallmarks are visible but slightly worn from polishing. The coin is in good condition, it has been protected by the raised silver rim.

A pair of Victorian silver grape scissors, with attractive handle design of symmetrical scrolls and loops. The set is very finely engraved (on the front side only) with a foliage pattern, very intricate, in typical Victorian fashion. The blades are the traditional grape scissor design, with one blade thicker with right angle to accommodate the other blade. The hinge has a silver cover, also engraved, the pin is silver as well. The hallmarks are clear but hidden by the engraving, both arms are hallmarked, including makers mark A&S for Aston and Son of Regent place, Birmingham, Thomas and William Aston ran the business between 1856 and 1861. Henry Aston (we assume another son) took over the business in 1862, it was still operating in 1930 as wedding ring manufacturers (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths, page 18).

An Exeter silver sifter ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an engraved family crest featuring a dog or wolf. The sifter is the traditional shape, with beautiful scroll and cross-hatch piercing. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark JAP, Victoria duty mark, lion passant, castle town mark and date letter gothic C for 1839. James Andrew Page worked between 1833 and 1862 in Plymouth, he died in 1898. In 1862 the business became Page, Keen & Page, which survived being destroyed by bombs in 1941, and merged with Bowdens in 1970. Page, Keen & Page produced interesting silver replica spoons complete with early Plymouth hallmarks.

A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tableforks and dessertspoons (3 of each). These are good quality, the forks around 90 grammes each and the spoons over 60. All 6 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 6 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870. In addition, all pieces carry additional journeyman's marks (Y, K, 3 petal flower, O), so the particular silversmit...

A fabulous set of 6 Tiffany Sterling silver Indian Chrysanthemum tablespoons, in immaculate condition, they could not be better. The pattern is truly beautiful, it extends right down the back of the spoon bowls as well. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked "TIFFANY & Co STERLING PAT.1880.M, the M indicates these are early pieces (the pattern was produced from 1880-1934). This must be one of the most beautiful example of hallmarks, with the design wrapping over and through the hallmarks. Each individual spoon weighs 120 grams, certainly the heaviest tablespoons we have encountered (the very best quality English tablespoons can reach 100 grammes). Indian Chrysanthemum has been described as "one of the most magnificent and celebrated sterling silver designs of the 19th century. Chrysanthemum represents one of the last great designs of the Victorian period" -(www.replacements.com), it was designed by Charles Grosjean. "Master silversmith Charles T. Grosjean joined the Tiffany firm as the Superintendent of Silverwa...

A rare Victorian silver Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern soup ladle, of exceptional weight and quality. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). The ladle has an interesting engraved family crest, a collared lion between 2 horns. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA (George Adams, who took over the Chawner business in 1840), and also includes 2 journeyman's marks S and N (the silversmiths who made the ladle in the Chawner & Co workshop). Ian Pickford, in the book Silver Flatware, describes Old English Military Thread and Shell as "a rare pattern, illustrated in the Chawner & Co. Pattern book(appendix pg 218). Any services and pieces are rare" - page 107. Chawner & Co were the most important firm of silver spoon manufacturers in Victorian England (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, page 82).