A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved armorial of the South African Mint (Suid-Afrikaanse Munt). The spoon is substantial, a pleasing weight and good quality. The armorial has the coat of arms of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961), with the symbols of the 4 provinces (Hope with Anchor for the Cape, 2 wildebeests for Natal, orange tree for Orange Free State, and wagon for Transvaal), with motto "Ex Unitate Vires", translated Union is Strength. This is surrounded by 2 wreaths with South African Mint in both English and Afrikaans (the 2 official languages at the time), a building which we think could be the SA Mint building, and strangely a small armorial which appears to be the old Transvaal Republic coat of arms. (explanations welcome!). This spoon is identical in shape and form to the caddy spoon produced by the Pretoria Royal mint between 1923 and 1941, (see examples on our website, S1362 and S 1652), when the Mint became the South African Mint, with the armorial replaced to reflect the change ...

A Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) silver pendant by the famed Murrle Bennett & Co. The pendant is hammered silver, set with a turquoise cabochon, flanked by eight studs and four cut out scrolls. The pendant has the MB&Co makers mark, and 950 standard mark (incuse). Murrle Bennett was founded by Ernst Murrle and JB Bennett, they specialised in high quality but reasonably priced jewellery in the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style. They were London based, but production took place in Pforzheim, Germany. They had their own catalog and shop, but also sold through Liberty & Co.

A fabulous pair of Garrard silver napkin rings, of exceptional quality and weight, amongst the heaviest we have encountered, at 85 grammes each (3 ounces each). They are plain, and are engraved with a family armorial and motto "FUGIT", which translates as "It passes". The armorial has 2 parts, the first 3 nags (or horses) heads, with 3 stars and crescent moon, the second a sunflower on barred background (indicating a marriage between 2 families). The napkin rings are perfectly preserved in original box, which reads "By Appointment to HM THE QUEEN, Goldsmiths & Crown Jewellers, Garrard & Co Ltd, 112 Regent Street W1". The hallmarks are very clear on both rings. The arms are those of the family of Borwick impaling Sola, described as "Argent three escarbuncles fesswise sable between three bears' heads erased of the last muzzled or a crescent for difference (Borwick), and Azure a sunflower proper (de Sola)". The armorial commemorates the marriage of The Honourable George Borwick (1922-1994) to Ester Ellerman (nee...

A pair of Scottish Arts and Crafts silver napkin rings, with a wonderful planished (hand hammered) surface. The rings are a very pleasing quality and weight, and the condition is excellent. Both rings are clearly hallmarked with small hallmarks on the interior, one is 2003, the other 2006 but they match perfectly. The are also marked "STERLING 925". The rings are accompanied with original box marked "Eric N Smith Goldsmith Designer". Eric Smith was an award winning designer and Jeweller, based in Glasgow for over 50 years until his retirement in 2018. He also completed a project to restore the Glasgow hallmark in 2013, which had not been used since 1963.

A pair of Scottish sterling silver Millenium napkin riings, elliptical in shape, with the Millenium hallmarks struck as part of the design. The rings are good quality and a very pleasing weight, and do not appear to have been used. The hallmarks have been arranged around the special 2000 cross hallmark, used to celebrate the millenium. Eric Smith was an award winning designer and Jeweller, based in Glasgow for over 50 years until his retirement in 2018. He also completed a project to restore the Glasgow hallmark in 2013, which had not been used since 1963.

An interesting hand crafted silver spoon, made to commemorate the 500 Anniversary of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 1977 by Gerald Benney, one of the most influential British silversmiths of the second half of the 20th century. The spoon is a lovely shape, almost puritan in style, and is engraved with the coat of arms of the Carpenters company above the dates 1477 and 1977. The spoon is the size of a large teaspoon, these were awarded as gifts to Liverymen. The coat of arms can be read as "a field silver, a chevron sable (black) grailed and three compasses of the same", the compasses represent carpenters tools and the chevron a roof support. The hallmarks are excellent, they could not be better, and include makers mark AGB in cojoined circles and Silver Jubilee mark used in 1977. Gerald Benney is included as one of the top 50 British silversmiths of his era in the book "Designer British Silver 1930-1985", pgs 86-105, by Andrew & Pearson, a book we highly recommend. He is the only British silversmith ...

A German silver cigarette case, with an engraved horseshoe and riding crop, with a ruby embedded in the horseshoe. The case is 800 grade silver, and has post 1888 German silver hallmarks (moon and crown, followed by 800). The horseshoe signifies good luck, the ruby passion, and the crop is a riding or hunting crop.

An interesting Needham's Patent mechanical silver calling card case, with a ribbed sliding mechanism to push out a calling card. The case is rectangular, with a hinged lid, the sliding mechanism is easy to control with the thumb. Both the case and lid are clearly hallmarked, the lid is also stamped PATENT. These have also been described as vesta cases for long vestas, the slide being the matchstrike, we think this attribution is incorrect. Henry Williamson worked between 1894 and 1914, so a career cut off by the advent of World War I. Note - we have 2 similar examples of this needhams patent card case.

An Arts & Crafts silver caddy spoon, with a round bowl, curved fish tail handle, and planished (hand hammered) finish. A very similar caddy spoon is depicted in the book "The Caddy Spoon in the 20th Century", page 15, illustration d, which was made by George Hart of the Guild of Handicraft in 1977 (our spoon lacks the thread decoration). The spoon is clearly hallmarked for London 1963, with makers mark W.H.W. for William Henry Warmington (Harry). Harry Warmington was "an integral member of the Guild of Handicraft workshop for some 50 years, he was one of the best silversmiths to have worked in Campden, he was also a fine engraver. Despite his abilities, he never applied to become a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company", quote from the book "The Harts of Chipping Campden, pg 31. Harry was recruited by George Hart in 1912 from the local grammar school, he joined the infantry in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I, then the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, he was based at Farnborough at an aircraft repair depot, he rej...

An interesting pair of cast silver acorn spoons, very good quality, with lovely naturalistic detail. The spoons have cast acorn bowls, the bowls are quite deep, the stems are modelled as a textured branch with nodes of baby acorns, the finial is also an acorn between 2 leaves. With the texture these spoons are pleasing to hold, they could be used for condiments, they could also be used as coffee spoons (although they are quite long). The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including makers mark G.W in diamond punch for Graham Watling. Watling began his career as a Royal Marine Commando, then moved to teaching Arts & Crafts, before becoming a silversmith around 1970, based in the National Trust village of Lacock in Wiltshire. He died in 1996, his children have continued the business in Lacock (www.watlings.com). Watling is represented by no less than 8 pieces in the Pearson Collection of post war British silver (www.pearsonsilvercollection.com), a testament of his ability. Watling features in the newly pu...

A novelty pincushion of a chick, with original pincushion intact, and generally in very good condition. The chick is realistically modelled with fine detail and is good quality, as is usual for items made by Sampson Mordan. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark SM&Co.

A set of 6 Art Nouveau silver buttons, with a typical Art Nouveau style female head with long flowing hair. The detail is good, and the hallmarks are clear on all 6 buttons. The buttons are still in their original fitted case, which is intact and in working order, but scuffed on the outside and faded and worn in the interior.

A stunning sterling silver nurses belt buckle, complete with original silver clasp and original black petersham belt. The buckle is very interesting, it features a Viking longboat with lion prow, and a serpent sail, beneath 2 maple leaves, above motto "Ratione Dirige Cursom", translated "Pursue Proper Studies", or "Govern your Course by Reason". This is the coat of arms of University College Hospital London, blazoned "an ancient galley, charged with a serpent nowed and in chief two maple leafs slipped", it was granted in 1907. The belt buckle is clearly hallmarked for London 1934, made by Frederick Smythe-Greenwood and Herbert Alwyn Watts, who worked between 1914 and 1934. The clasp is also hallmarked. University College Hospital (UCH), previously called North London Hospital, is a teaching hospital still working today. It was founded in 1834, Agatha Christie was a staff member, and the first amputation under ether was performed here in 1846 by Robert Liston. The Cruciform building was built in 1907, still in...

A rare silver and green enamel annular brooch designed by Alexander Ritchie, the famous Iona silversmith. The brooch has a Gaelic inscription "A h-uile latha sona dhuit", translated "May all your days be happy". These brooches are traditional wedding presents to celebrate a marriage. The Alexander Ritchie website (see our links page) shows 2 similar brooches, one in blue and the other in red enamel, both are described as rare, they do not show a green enamel example. Ritchie began to use the Birmingham assay office in 1931, and he had close links to the Birmingham firm of Darby & Sons, who made items for him. After Ritchie's death in 1941, some of his original moulds were used by Darby until the 1950's, this is one of these (see Ritchie website). The hallmarks are small but visible, the pin is also hallmarked.

An Art Nouveau antique silver mustard pot, complete with original green glass liner. The pot is oval in shape, and has traditional Art Nouveau stylised flowers on the 4 corners, repeated on the lid thumbpiece. The glass pot sits on a circular support, which is also hallmarked (as is the main body and lid). The hallmarks are clear, and include registration mark RD 436134, meaning Walker and Hall registered this design to prevent copying by competitors.

A set of 3 Danish Sterling silver serving pieces, comprising a spoon, fork and ladle. Each is topped with matching sterling silver Danish Royal crown, which is well modeled. The set comes in its original silk and purple velvet lined box, they do not appear to have been used. The fork is long and elegant with 2 prongs, the spoon bowl is quite wide for serving, and the ladle has a deep bowl. All three are hallmarked clearly with "STERLING DENMARK" and makers mark SDG, with the D and G inside the curves of the S. We believe this indicates they were made post 1977, when the Danish official hallmarks were retired. The crown is a replica of the Danish Royal closed crown of Christian V, so it is also possible these were made to commemorate the coronation of the current Danish Queen Margrethe II in 1972.

A fabulous modernist sterling silver bracelet, made by celebrated Danish silversmith Knut V. Andersen. The bracelet consists of 13 cast silver diamond shaped links, with a textured bark finish, the detail is lovely, both back and front. It is extremely well made, the quality is excellent, even to the screw fasterner which prevents the clasp from opening.. The hallmarks are clear, and include "Denmark S 925S KvA" for Knut Andersen, who worked in Copenhagen 1975-1989. Earlier in his career he worked for the famous firm of Anton Michelsen, he was the last designer employed by the firm. We love this bracelet.

A lovely set of 12 sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, with baluster finial. The spoon size and shape are nicely balanced, we really like these spoons. The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark B&S in serrated punch for Brook & Son of Edinburgh. Brook and Son were leading Edinburgh silversmiths and retailers from 1891 to 1939, they succeeded William Marshall & Sons.

An interesting set of 6 Salisbury seal top silver coffee spoons, perfectly preserved in their original box. The spoons have gilded seal tops, flattened stems and fig shaped bowls, with the leopard's head town mark struck in the bowl. These are replicas of seal top spoons circa 1600. The spoons are good quality, we really like these spoons. The set is accompanied by an original pamphlet, depicting 7 seal top spoons, it reads: "The Salisbury Seal Top Spoons, actual copies of the seven spoons dug up in 1906, on Lord Pembroke's Estate, Netherhampton, reproduced as fruit, jam and teaspoons. The originals are now in the British Museum, and are valued at GBP 300-400, circa 1596-1632". Thomas Bradbury and Sons worked between 1736 and 1943, Frederick Bradbury was the author of "History of Old Sheffield Plate" (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths, page 57).

An interesting set of 6 Fancy back or Picture back sterling silver teaspoons, these are replicas or Georgian silver originals circa 1750 to 1770. Each spoon has a different die stamped bowl decoration, these 6 spoons are replicas of some of the rarest designs. They include: 1.Three masted Galleon at full sail, in wavy sea, thought to represent a British Naval engagement. 2. Milkmaid in period garb, with yoke and 2 pails. 3.Bird on a branch with leaves . 4. Shell with scrolling foliage and flower. 5. Birdcage with bird on top under "I LOVE LIBERTY", commemorating the release of John Wilkes from unjust imprisonment. 6. Basket of flowers, with a basket filled with flowers. All 6 pictures are well struck in perfect condition, with no wear. All 6 spoons are also clearly hallmarked with Sheffield marks for 1959, and makers mark CJV Ld for CJ Vander. C.J. Vander was established in 1886 by Cornelius Joshua VanderPump, the firm became "the last of England's preeminent silver firms, creating exceptional silver masterpi...