A pair of Arts & Crafts Danish silver tablespoons, in a modernist Georg Jensen style Martele pattern, with matching cheese knife. The pattern is planished, or hand hammered, (Martele is French for hammer, Gorham uses the Martele brand for its hand hammered range), this creates an uneven surface which reflects the light, so a very pleasing pattern. The pattern also has balls and scrolls. The spoons are hand hammered on the front side of the handle only, but the bowls are planished on both sides. The spoons have original owners initials CC engraved on the back, the knife has no engraving. All 3 items have 2 clear hallmarks, the Danish 3 tower silver guarantee mark for 826/1000 grade, with date letters (the spoons are 1925 and the knife is 1927). They also have assay masters mark CFH for Christian F. Heise, who worked between 1904 and 1932.
An ancient Greek silver Drachm, set in a 14 carat gold bezel with pendant loop. The Drachm depicts Alexander the Great of the Kingdom of Macedonia, the most successful general of all history. The front shows an idealised portrait of Alexander in the guise of the mythical hero Heracles, clad in a Nemean lion skin headdress. It is in high relief, the detail is lovely. The back depicts the God Zeus, seated with bare chest, he holds a trident and has a bird in the other hand. It also contains a number of symbols and letters that indicate the mint mark for Amphipolis (right angle above torch, and M and star below chair). Amphipolis was an important naval base during the reign of Alexander, it ceased to exist around 400 AD. The pendant ring is stamped 585, indicating the gold is 14 carat. Note - it has been brought to our attention by a coin expert that this is not an original coin, but a later replica, as only Poseidan, not Zeus, should be holding a trident, apologies. We have reduced the price by 50%.
A very interesting Norwegian silver Liberation spoon, made to commemorate the liberation of Norway from German occupation at the end of the Second World War. The spoon has a stylised well built male in Art Deco style with arms aloft holding a circular shield, with the Norwegian crown on a radiating 4 leaf clover, the figure has broken the chains of oppression which connect with the bowl. The circular bowl is embossed "NORGE 1945, BRUTT BLEV LENKER BAND OG TVANG", translated "Broken were chains, ties and constraints", a line taken from Ibsen's Peer Gynt. The back of the spoon is plain, and the hallmarks are clear - makers mark NM, 830.S (830 grade silver), goblet (makers symbol), letter N and MADE IN NORWAY. This particular spoon was made in two different sizes, this is the smaller version, suitable for use as a sugar or jam spoon. Thorvald Marthinsen Solvvarefabrikk was based in Tonsberg. Note: We have sold the larger version of this spoon, S 1721.
A set of 4 matching Norwegian silver pickle forks (830 grade) in the Dronning pattern, made in Oslo by leading silversmith Jacob Tostrup. Two forks are larger and 2 are smaller, so perfect for serving larger items like cold meats and smaller more delicate items. The forks have 2 curved tines, and the Dronning pattern reminds us of English Fiddle and Shell pattern. All 4 forks are clearly hallmarked with the Tostrup tankard makers mark, and silver standard mark 830S. The forks have no engraving. Tostrup was founded in 1832, and is still one of Norway's leading silversmiths today
A pair of Art Deco silver serving spoons, made by the German firm of Lutz & Weiss in Pforzheim, circa 1930. The spoons have the classic Art Deco pyramid pattern design, repeated on both sides, and an unusual but very practical 4 sided bowl, with rounded edges and a pointed front. The hallmarks include 835S indicating silver of 835 purity, makers mark of intertwined LW in a shield, and a Dutch import mark used since 1906 (V in shaped shield with shaded background), indicating the spoons must have been imported into the Netherlands at some stage. Both sets of hallmarks are clear. Lutz & Weiss Silberwarenfabriek was founded in 1882.
A Danish modernist silver strawberry serving spoon, in Georg Jensen style. The spoon is beautiful, and is a good weight and quality. The spoon has a large circular bowl, with a pierced strawberry leaf design, to allow the juices to be drained before serving. The handle is cast, and has 2 well designed strawberries amongst foliage, these are embossed so provide a nice grip for the handle. This spoon is a useful size, suitable for serving other items besides strawberries. The spoon has 4 hallmarks, all of which are well struck and clear. The Danish 3 tower mark and date letter 33 for 1933 indicates purity of 826/1000, the SJ assay master mark (Stadtsguardein) for Johannes Siggaard (worked between 1932 and 1960). The 3rd mark is "Haandarbejde" indicating this item was made by hand, and the 4th mark is the script F surrounded by oval dots, the assay master mark for Frederik Fabritius, who worked between 1787 and 1823. The presence of this older assay masters mark is a mystery, it has also been observed on other D...
A lovely Art Deco Norwegian silver spoon, made to commemorate the unveiling of the Mor Og Barn (Mother and Child) statue in Sandefjord. The spoon has an embossed copy of the statue, a naked mother holding her baby in front of her, standing on a plinth. The rounded bowl has a stunning embossed view of Sandefjord, the detail is exquisite, complete with boats in the harbour, church steeples, houses and trees, with "SANDEFJORD" underneath. The Art Deco look and feel of the spoon is completed with the 8 pillars at the top of the handle. The hallmarks include silver mark 830S (830 grade silver) and makers mark of a goblet in an oval punch for Thorvald Marthinsen of Tonsberg. The original bronze statue is by Norwegian sculptor Arne Durban (1912-1994), who was known for his naturalistic work, his work is featured in over 30 Norwegian towns. It was unveiled on 17 May 1950 (Norwegian Constitution Day), which celebrates Norway becoming an independent kingdom in 1814. This spoon has been described by the website www.spoo...
A very interesting Norwegian silver Liberation spoon, made to commemorate the liberation of Norway from German occupation at the end of the Second World War. The spoon has a stylised well built male in Art Deco style with arms aloft holding a circular shield, with the Norwegian crown on a radiating 4 leaf clover, the figure has broken the chains of oppression which connect with the bowl. The circular bowl is embossed "NORGE 1945, BRUTT BLEV LENKER BAND OG TVANG", translated "Broken were chains, ties and constraints", a line taken from Ibsen's Peer Gynt. The back of the spoon is plain, and the hallmarks are clear - makers mark NM, 830.S (830 grade silver), goblet (makers symbol), letter N and MADE IN NORWAY. This particular spoon was made in two different sizes, this is the larger (and rarer) version, suitable for use as a serving spoon. Thorvald Marthinsen Solvvarefabrikk was based in Tonsberg. Note - we also have the smaller version of this spoon, S11410.
A beautiful French Niello snuffbox with a huntsman in 17th century period dress with his dogs. Gilt interior with inscription - From William Yates to John Rutherford, Sept 16th 1888. The box is fully hallmarked on the lid rim with the Paris standard mark for 1819-1838, the middle guarantee mark, and a makers mark, which appears to be W&W (or M&W or V&W) below a head, above a wagon wheel, set in a diamond (very small so difficult to see).
A beautiful Norwegian silver replica of a 17th century figural spoon, which makes an ideal Christening present for a girl. The spoon has a well modelled cast finial of a bust of a female warrior, complete with armour, standing on a pedestal decorated with a feeding bird, masks, flowers and scrolls. The traditionally shaped bowl is gilded, the gilding still well preserved. The quality of this spoon is outstanding, clearly made by a master craftsman, and the condition is excellent. The spoon is hallmarked with makers mark MH and grade 830S, so we can date this spoon to prior to 1920, when Norwegian silversmiths moved to the sterling 925 standard. Marius Hammer (1847-1927) was one of Norway's leading silversmiths, employing 130 staff in 1914, they even supplied the Prince of Wales. In addition to high end souvenirs, they produced replicas of notable Scandinavian silver, including this spoon.
A rare Georg Jensen sterling silver # 42 pattern fork, this design has been called pea pod. The fork is hand hammered, with hammer marks visible, this is a lovely fork, exceptional quality. The fork has 4 tines, and at 14.5 cm length could be either a Child's fork, or small serving fork (ideal for cold cuts). The design is informally known as pea pod, but officially just called pattern # 42. The design is lovely, with 6 cast peas alongside a series of leaves, it has also incorrectly been described as "flattened magnolia". Georg Jensen himself produced this design in 1918, it is one of the "Numbered Ornamental Pieces" that were made in small quantities so not often found. It is depicted in the book "Georg Jensen A Traditional of Splendid Silver", by Janet Drucker, pages 290 and 291, we highly recommend this book. The hallmarks are clear, 42 (pattern number) above Georg Jensen in dotted oval, above "STERLING DENMARK".
Two interesting 19th century Spanish silver tablespoons, both with excellent hallmarks. Both spoons are 930 grade, so slightly higher grade than sterling (925). Both spoons are the same pattern, similar to Old English, but with a Continental flavour. The bowls have pronounced tips, no drops are present and the stems are flattened with an elegant oval stem. Both spoons have contemporary engraved initials, JL and I with lots of flourishes. Both spoons have 3 distinct hallmarks, denoting town, maker and assay master. The Barcelona spoon has town mark BAR under Maltese Cross in a domate punch, this mark was used circa 1825 (courtesy of Spanish silver website www.munozarce.com). The assay masters mark is P.FLORENSA, with P.FLO above RENSA. The makers mark is JA CARRERAS for Jacint Carreras. The Palma spoon has town mark M under palm tree in Loboid punch for Palma de Mallorca, this mark was used on large items in the 19th century (Tardy pg 108). The second mark is assay master A FORTEZA, the third mark is maker J M...
A pair of Jugendstil German silver serving spoons, 800 purity, made by Lazarus Posen of Frankfurt, Germany circa 1900. The spoons have an interesting diamond shaped bowl, the bowls are gilded on both sides, so can be used for serving salty dishes. The handles are single struck in typical Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) style, with a central wreath surrounding engraved initials MJL. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked, makers mark script P in shaped outline, 800 standard mark and German crescent moon and crown hallmarks. Lazarus Posen was founded in Frankfurt in 1869, they specialised in Judaica, they became one of Germany's leading silversmiths, receiving a Royal warrant in 1903. They closed in 1938 due to Kristallnacht.
A Norwegian silver baptism spoon made by leading Norwegian silversmith David Andersen circa 1900, this is a replica of an original 16th century baptism spoon. the quality and workmanship is excellent, as is usual for these Norwegian and Danish baptism spoons. The spoon features a naked female holding fig leaf and plunging a sword into her bosom, standing on an elaborate plinth, finely decorated with faces and foliage. the tear shaped bowl is finely engraved on the back and the front, the front with Norwegian Madonna and Child, the back features Christ on the cross, overlooked by a bishop under a dove, and inscription "HIELP OS DI HELIGE TREI FOLDIG HED M M D 1511", which translates "Help us your holy Trinity". The spoon is clearly hallmarked with purity 830 and David Andersen makers mark, this mark was used between 1888 and 1925. A similar spoon is shown in the book "Collectable Souvenir Spoons Volume II, page 29, by Wayne Bednersh, and also on his website www.spoonplanet.com under Norwegian and Danish silver...
A beautiful antique French cast silver sugar tongs, decorated with grapes, vines and leaves, the nearest English equivalent would be the Chased Vine pattern. The tongs are excellent quality, Ist grade 950 standard, very heavy in the hand, and clearly the work of a master craftsman. The tongs have original owners initials MRP engraved on the bow in a Gothic script. The tongs are clearly hallmarked, makers mark L I A (with funerary urn) for Louis-Isidore Angee, who worked between 1834 and 1842 from Place De Dauphin, Paris. Both arms are also clearly hallmarked with Minerva’s head 1st grade (950/1000) (hidden in the decoration), and an additional crab discharge mark (partially struck on the inside) is also present.
An early Georg Jensen silver spoon in the Continental pattern, also called Antik pattern, made in 1927, The spoon is a lovely size and shape, and is is hand hammered, both on the back and front of the spoon bowl and the front of the handle. This is technically a "gumbo" spoon, a large spoon for Louisiana Gumbo, but is more suitable as a small serving spoon. The hallmarks are very clear, including the GJ over 830S makers and standard mark used between 1915-1930, and assay masters mark for Christian Heise (1904-1932). The third mark is the Danish three towers mark above 27 for 1927. The pattern is well described on the Scandinavian design website Fjorn (www.fjorn.com), as "Designed in 1906 by Georg Jensen, the Continental cutlery pattern was the first major cutlery range to emerge from the fledgling silversmithy that was established two years earlier in 1904. In designing Continental, Georg Jensen was inspired by the forms of traditional and centuries-old Nordic tools and implements. The lightly hammered surfac...
A Unidor sterling silver pendant, in Modernist style, circa 1970. The pendant is circular, the disc has been cut, folded and partly textured, and 17 silver balls of different sizes have been applied. The disc hangs from a long connecting rod, also with 4 balls, the pin has 2 arms similar to a hair-clip. The top of the pin has a connecting loop for a silver chain. The pin is hallmarked "925 UNIDOR", which is small but very clear. Unidor was a German jeweller operating from Pforzheim, the "Goldstadt" or Golden City, renowned for its jewellery industry.
A magnificent Hanau silver serving spoon, commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia), whose nickname was "Der Alte Fritz" (Old Fritz). The handle of the spoon is a very detailed full length cast figure, with detail on both the back and front. Frederick is standing on a plinth with the dates "1740-1786", the dates he reigned, on top of the Imperial Prussian Eagle and Crown. The spoon bowl (also cast) is heart shaped, with decorative flowers and foliage. The spoon is excellent quality, suitable for display or use. Frederick, also Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, modernised the Prussian army and won military acclaim, so much so that even Napoleon regarded him as one of the greatest tactical geniuses of his time. J.D. Schleissner & Sohne were Hanau's "pre-eminant producer of antique style silverware in the latter 19th century (www.925-1000.com), they exhibited at the 1893 Chicago and 1904 St Louis international expositions. The hallmarks are clear, and inclu...
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 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.