An interesting Arts & Crafts copper ladle made by of of South Africa's leading Arts & Crafts silversmiths, the Austrian immigrant Kurt Jobst. The ladle has a long tapered handle, and a circular bowl that is quite flat, the bowl connected to the handle with a rat tail. The bowl (front and back) and the top of the handle are planished (hand hammered leaving a wonderful textured finish), in classic Arts & Crafts fashion, the back of the handle is smooth. The hallmarks are well struck and clear, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst". Jobst was born in Austria in 1905, he served his apprenticeship in Hanau, Germany, his influence was the Bauhaus movement. He emigrated with his family in 1936 from Austria to South Africa to escape Hitler, and became one of Johannesburg's leading silversmiths. He was commissioned by the South African Government to make the official wedding present for Queen Elizabeth in 1947 (a silver box with diamond necklace), he also made silver for Ernest Oppenheimer (c...

A lovely sterling silver and enamel cigarette case, with an oval enamel plaque depicting racing dogs (we assume greyhounds). The picture has 3 dogs, white, black and brown, with leather muzzles and a red bib. The case is excellent quality, and a pleasing weight, quite heavy in the hand, the interior is gilded. The hallmarks are clear on both lid and base.

A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir shooting trophy spoons, all with 2 rifles as the handles. Six spoons have crossed rifles, 4 spoons have enamel finials, and 7 are from Africa (Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia - now Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe), with one from South Africa. The spoons include: 1. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, RMSB 1952, bare chested labourer crest, London 1911, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 2. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, bare chested labourer crest, London 1912, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 3. Birmingham Forward, enamel city crest of mural crown and arm with hammer (industry), Birmingham 1902, Arthur Fenwick 4. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1954, enamel crest of leopard, Birmingham 1952, James Fenton 5. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1953, crest of leopard, Birmingham 1953, James Fenton 6. Northern Rhodesia Rifle Association, fish eagle holding fish, no hallmarks 7. Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces, Lion holding tusk, Sheffi...

A Dutch Arts & Crafts silver bowl, with hand hammered (planished) texture, which creates a very appealing finish. The bowl is circular, on a small base, with decorative band 2/3rd's of the way up (slightly wider here). The handles are circular, with tapered thumbpiece on top, with turn up at end for good grip. The top of the handles are planished as well. The bowl is very similar in shape and style to English porringers, but could also be used as a sugar bowl. The hallmarks are clear, Minerva mark with clear C for The Hague, Lion 835 standard mark, date letter Y for 1933 and makers mark V over moon for Zilverfabriek Voorschoten. This mark was used by Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today. This bowl would make an ideal Christening present.

A set of 24 gilded sterling silver medallions, produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa. The medallions are all in perfect condition, and are beautifully engraved, these are extremely high quality. Each weighs 36.5 grammes, has a proof like finish and is gold plated sterling silver. The complete set comes in original wooden box with red leather top and velvet and silk lined interior. The medallions depict 24 different South African wild animals including: baboon, buffalo, cheetah, crocodile, elephant, fish eagle, giraffe, green mamba, hippopotamus, hyena, impala, jackal, kudu, leopard, lion, oryx, rhinoceros, sable antelope, secretary bird, vervet monkey, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra. The reverse depicts the emblem of the Wildlife Society, a stylised sable antelope, surrounded by "ANNIVERSARY 50 HERDENKING". Each medallion also carries 4 hallmarks, "ET+, STG, antelope head, date letter C, being South African sterling hallmarks made by Africana Mint. T...

A Silver Troyan 20 Ounce 999 Fine Silver Medallion, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa (1683-1983). This is a huge medallion, it makes a fabulous paperweight. The front has 2 prospectors with pick and hammer, and reads "Silver Troyan 20 troy ounces 999 fine silver, 1683-1983, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa". The back has the logo of the Asset Exchange, and reads "The gold and hard asset exchange, Johannesburg South Africa". The rim is hallmarked, crowned C, date letter I and No 03334, these are clearly struck. This medallion was the second in a series of 2, in 1982 the Exchange also issued a 20 Ounce 999 silver medallion commemorating 100 years of electricity in South Africa (note this first medallion was not called a troyan). We believe this troyan was part of a limited edition of 10000, we are not sure if the full edition was produced. We are interested in more information about the gold and hard asset exchange, and the origin of the troyan, all assistan...

An interesting sterling silver wine taster, made to commemorate 1000 years of English Monarchy between 973 and 1973. The taster is circular, set with a cast replica coin featuring King Edgar the Peaceful, with inscription "EADGARRE" between two maltese crosses, and head and shoulders of the King. The taster also has a fabulous cast silver handle, rectangular in shape with circular cut away, the handle is textured with a sun ray pattern, both top, bottom and sides, this has a lovely feel in the hand. The taster also has a circular foot, and engraved crown above 1000 and the dates 973-1973. It is a good weight and size, it holds 175 millilitres, so is a good size. King Edgar the Peaceful was crowned at Bath in 973, it was the first British coronation ceremony, other British Kings pledged allegiance. He strove successfully to unite the English and Danes, he also recalled St Dunstan from exile and made him Archbishop of Canterbury. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark GGM, thers is slight wear to the f...

A Patrick Mavros silver sculpture of a pair of guinea fowl on a hardwood base. The guinea fowl are realistically modelled, the guinea fowl is one of Africa's best known game birds. The black hardwood base is also lovely, each base is unique. The base has a silver PM button trademark, with PM above Sable Antelope in triangle, both guinea fowl are also fully hallmarked with PM makers mark and the Zimbabwe sable standard mark. Patrick Mavros has built a luxury Africa themed silver sculpture business over the last 35 years, he is based in Harare, with outlets in London, Mauritius and Nairobi. His customers include the Royal Family, Prince William and Kate are collectors. Other customers include JK Rowling and King Carlos of Spain. This particular sculpture is still available on the Patrick Mavros website (www.patrickmavros.com), he describes it as a medium sized sculpture.

A rare solid silver version of the Voortrekker Aandenking (memorial) 1838 - 1938 bowl, in 835 grade silver. The circular bowl with foot is well modeled, with ox wagons on trek, with Boer (farmer) on horse, cattle in the foreground and mountains in the background, framed by trees. The other image is of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, and in between are two lit candles in a candlestick, surrounded by chains, with Zulu shields above and ox horns below. One candle reads "VOORTREKKER AANDENKING", the other "1838 - 1938". This design was done by the famous South African artist JH Pierneef (1886-1957), probably South Africa's greatest landscape artist. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark V over moon for Zilverfabriek Voorschoten, and 835 indicating the grade of silver (835/1000). Zilverfabriek Voorschoten is a brand name of Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today, they moved from Utrecht to Voorschoten in 1858. The Voortrekker Aandenking bowls were made in a v...

A sterling silver wine coaster, with a finely pierced attractive border, and a central circular silver plaque (for engraving). The coaster has a wooden base with 4 circular grooves, the base has blue felt to protect the table. The silver plaque has never been engraved. The condition is pleasing, often these coasters have suffered damage to the piercing, this one is in excellent condition. The hallmarks are clear, Springbok head (South African standard mark post 1975), S925, and makers mark E T in separate punches, for E Tiessen, Manufacturing Jewellers who worked from 14 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, in the 1970's. This style of pierced wine coaster first appeared in the 1780's. Note - we have received correspondance from a leading collector that this piece is possibly not by E Tiessen, but by maker E, with T being date letter for 1994 - possibly J&L Martin of EM-ESS silversmiths, who were leading silversmiths, noted for quality holloware, they are known to have exhibited at the Rand Easter Show (1...

A pair of antique silver whisky noggins, also called Chota Pegs. The noggins are the traditional conical shape, with cut glass star base, glass handle and silver pouring collar and lid with thumb piece. The hallmarks are clear on both the rim and the lid of both noggins. Whisky noggins were popular in Edwardian times, they contain a 1 gill (30 ml) measure, so a generous double tot, and were made to be taken to bed. They were also popular amongst British expats in India during the Raj period, where they were called "Chota Peg", or little drink, also "go to bed" drink. Joshua and John Maxfield, founded in 1855 in Sheffield, were celebrated at the Jewellers Exhibition of 1913 for "the extent and variety of novelties which they have placed on the market" Culme, Gold & Silversmiths pg 319. They had a showroom in London's Regent Street so must have been a prestigious firm.

A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, as follows: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude an axe, and St. James a staff and bible. The spoons are from a set (no 117), issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem, and the set number 117. They come complete with original signed certificate and explanatory booklet, with information on all the apostles, origin and how they were made, also the original advertising letter. Note: We have sold a previous set...

A lovely enamel silver cigarette case with a bespectacled golfer swinging a wood, with flag visible behind him. The enamel is very good quality, well painted with lots of detail. The interior is gilt, and both sides of the box are hallmarked with clear marks. Blanckensee & Son was established in 1826, and by the turn of the century they had a large export trade and London showrooms. In the Jewellers exhibition of 1913, Blanckensee had "two of the prettiest windows in the exhibition", which included enamel cigarette cases (Culme, Directory of Silversmiths 1838 - 1914).

An amusing sterling silver wine label, with the traditional PORT engraving crossed out and replaced underneath with STARBOARD, a nautical reference to the left (port) and right (starboard) sides of a boat. The label is rectangular, with a heavy gadrooned border with 4 shell motif's, so a very traditional shape. The label is stamped, has it's original silver chain and clear hallmarks for Birmingham 1957. David Hollander & Son was established in 1908, and continued to produce silver until 1975. This name of Port being replaced by Starboard is unrecorded in the master list of wine label names in the book "Wine Labels 1730-2003".

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 lovely hand hammered Portuguese silver Arts and Crafts spoon, with a blue stone cabochon set in the handle, possibly turquoise. The spoon is a pleasing gauge, quite heavy, this is a good quality hand made spoon. The spoon has a rounded bowl with quite a long handle, so possibly a jam spoon or sauce ladle. The hallmarks include "Pedro A Batista", a very small Portuguese standard mark (eagle facing left above 925, in rectangular canted punch for Porto), and additional makers mark of crossed hammer and spanner.

A collection of 4 Italian silver miniature horses, with lovely detail. The 2 smaller horses with jockey's are sterling 925, both of these are made in Arezzo by maker 122, both are on stands. The 2 larger horses are both 800 grade silver, they have no stands or jockeys, but stand beautifully on their feet (and tail for 1). One is made by Arezzo maker 373, the other by Vincenza maker 54, Menegutti Filli, who worked between 1949 and 2008. All 4 have small but clear hallmarks, post 1968. The weight of the 2 small sterling horses is 58 grammes, the 2 larger 800 grade horses weigh 127 grammes.

A fabulous quality Royal Fusiliers City of London Regimental sweetheart brooch, with 77 diamonds set in Platinum and 9 carat gold. The badge consists of a Fused (or smoking) Grenade, above a Tudor rose enclosed by Royal Garter, with motto "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense", translated "evil to him who evil thinks", surmounted by Royal crown. The grenade has 63 diamonds, the rose has 11 diamonds, gold lettering surrounded by blue enamel, and the crown has 3 diamonds and red enamel. The pin, clasp and hinge are all solid 9 carat gold, the diamonds are set in platinum. The brooch is hallmarked "9Ct" for 9 carat gold, and "PLAT" for platinum. Platinum usage in high end quality jewellery only commenced at the turn of the 20th century during Edwardian times, it's usage had died out by World War II due to expense, so we can date this brooch to either the Boer War or World War I. The Royal Fusilier (or 7th Regiment of Foot) regiment dates back to 1685, and has seen service in the American War of Independance, Napoleonic War...

An interesting antique silver Scottish Regimental or clan badge, in the form of a brooch. The badge has a crowned phoenix rising out of the flames, over Saltire cross (St. Andrew's cross of Scotland), surrounded by circular motto in latin, "Bon Fin" above, translated "Good End", and "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" below, translated "No one harasses me with impunity", alternatively "No one can harm me unpunished". The badge has a hinged brooch pin, in full working order. The badge is also clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1905, with makers mark B&P for Bent & Parker, who were military ornament makers, working between 1869 and 1909. The motto "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" is the motto of the Royal Stuart dynasty of Scotland, and is used by numerous organisations, regiments and clans. These include The Order of the Thistle, Scottish Regiments The Royals, Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. It has also been used by The Greys, Highland Fusiliers and Black Watch, along with the Royal Company of Archers. It has also...

A pair of sterling silver and jasper cufflinks, made by Kurt Jobst in Johannesburg circa 1950. The cufflinks are circular, with raised polished jasper insert, the sterling silver connectors are S shaped, and the connecting piece is square. Both the circular cufflinks and square connectors are clearly hallmarked, with JOBST, .925 and the circular cufflinks also have his characteristic KJ unicorn mark. Jasper is an opaque chalcedony, red in colour, it polishes well so is often used as a gemstone in jewellery. Jobst was born in Austria in 1905, he served his apprenticeship in Hanau, Germany, his influence was the Bauhaus movement. He emigrated with his family in 1936 from Austria to South Africa to escape Hitler, and became one of Johannesburg's leading silversmiths. He was commissioned by the South African Government to make the official wedding present for Queen Elizabeth in 1947 (a silver box with diamond necklace), he also made silver for Ernest Oppenheimer (cigar box, bowls and dishes). He died in a car cr...