A wonderful collection of 10 silver and enamel continental souvenir spoons, 8 of which are gilded. 6 spoons have enamelled bowls, all 10 have enamelled finials. Eight of the spoons commemorate German towns, while one is Romanian and one is Danish. The spoons include Leipzig Altes Rathaus, Berlin Reichstagsgebaude, Nurnberg Bratwurstglocklein, Chemnitz Rathaus, Augsberg, Rheinfall, Tirol Kitzbuhel, Nuppertal, Kobenhavn and Bucuresti Managtireacurteadearges. All ten spoons are clearly hallmarked with grade and makers mark, eight spoons are 800 grade, 1 is 930 (Copenhagen) and one is 935 (Tirol).
An exceptionally large Danish silver serving spoon, in the Old Danish pattern (Dobbelt riflet), wih matching large bowl. The spoon is single struck, the pattern has a reeded edge, and the handle is fluted. This type of extremely large serving spoon is unique to Denmark, very suitable for serving a generous portion. The hallmarks include the Danish 3 towers mark (well struck but date letter not visible), makers mark VELTZIN, and an additional mark which reads 13L4G, which we think is a standard mark for 13 loth silver (812 purity). The makers mark Veltzin appears rare, we have not been able to trace this maker, or confirm the meaning of the 13L4G mark, all assistance welcome. We have sold a similar spoon S1293, and have a similar example S 11029. Note - a collector has now shared images of his spoon, very similar to this spoon, also hallmarked Veltzin but alongside makers mark CW - we agree with the collector that Veltzin is probably a retailers mark.
A fabulous Belle Epoque French silver 950 standard sugar sifter in the Empire pattern, made by renowned Parisian silversmith Emile Puiforcat. The quality is very pleasing, as you would expect from Puiforcat, with an intricate pierced design and gilded bowl, and double struck Empire pattern handle, with swan finial, foliage and wreathes. The cartouche has not been engraved. Two hallmarks are present in the bowl, both clearly struck, makers mark EP in diamond lozenge, with penknife (un canif) between the letters, and French Minerve 1st Standard mark, with 1 next to forehead, indicating 950 purity (so higher purity than sterling 925). An additional partial mark can be seen on the bowl exterior, this is a French Bigorne insect countermark, struck opposite the guarantee mark, to prevent fraud. Emile Puiforcat established his business in 1857 at 18 Rue Chapon, it still exists today and is known as one of the leading French silver producers.
Lovely set of German 800 silver teaspoons, probably produced for a 3rd Reich organisation, of very good quality and weight, with an attractive scrolling border an an unusual crest. The crest is an angel, a young girl in traditional dress with angels wings, holding a shield containing a crown over 2 crossed arrows and circle. We have been informed that this is a Hitler Youth crest, but as this is not our area of expertise we cannot confirm that. We would welcome any views or comments, and hope we are not offending anyone in the event that it is a Hitler Youth crest. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark HTB, actually H hammer B, for the Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik AG of Bremen, Germany. It was founded by 2 Bremen jewellers, Brinkmann & Lange, and produced flatware between 1933 and 1937, when it was absorbed into Wilkens. They were approved suppliers to the German 3rd Reich, RZM mark no. 241 of the NSDAP, and are known to have supplied a number of different military organisations.
An interesting Hanau silver circular box, the lid an exact copy of a famous silver Dutch medallion of 1653 by Wouter Muller commemorating the death of Admiral Maarten Tromp. The lid has rich detail, a naval engagement with two Man-of War ships at close range, with an English ship sinking in the foreground, other ships in the background, all in high relief. The inscription around the edge reads :Waarom doet Muller Tromp door kunst van gout en silverleeven: om dat hy'd yzer eew door krygsdeugd heeft verdreven, obyt den. 10 aug: 1653", translated "Why does the art of Muller make Tromp live in gold and silver? Because his valour has removed from us the age of iron. Died 10 August 1653". The circular edge of the box is decorated with putti playing musical instruments, with birds (peacocks and owls), interspersed with blank oval cartouches. The interior is gilded, so it was possibly a snuff box, but could be used on a desk or dressing table for small items (ideal for cufflinks). The base is clearly hallmarked with ...
A lovely Georg Jensen sterling silver cream ladle in the Blossom No 84 pattern, with London import marks for 1931. The ladle is well designed, with a kink in the handle below the flower blossom, which greatly improves the grip and allows for precise pouring. The bowl is planished (hand hammered), and the 2 pouring lips work well. The Blossom pattern No. 84 (Magnolie in Danish), sometimes called Magnolia in the USA, was designed by Jensen himself and introduced in 1919, is "a sculptural design which features a realistic stem and blossom design that appears to grow from the handle. This pattern, perhaps more than any other, demonstrates the sculptural quality that earned Jensen widespread acclaim". - Georg Jensen, A Tradition of Splendid Silver, Janet Drucker, page 267 - a book we highly recommend. The ladle is clearly hallmarked, makers mark GJ with 925 S in beaded circle, above "Denmark Sterling", below pattern number "84". The ladle also has clear London hallmarks, with GS for George Stockwell & Co, who impo...
A lovely set of Georg Jensen Beaded pattern mocha spoons (6), perfectly preserved in their original box. The spoons are small and dainty, but exude the quality you expect from Jensen. The original silk lined box reads "Georg Jensen, Silversmith, 15a New Bond St, London W.I, Member of the Salon Paris". The beaded pattern (Kugle in Danish, Jensen pattern # 7) has a beaded pattern around the lower edge of the handle, it was designed by Jensen himself in 1916, described as "an elegant composition, that remains contemporary in design while imparting a timeless quality" - Georg Jensen, Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 267. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with Danish marks GJ in circular bead with 925 standard mark, and English import marks for 1925, with importers mark GS for George Stockwell & Co, (imported Jensen silver between 1909 and 1931).
A beautiful Italian silver salt cellar, made in the Kingdom of Naples (Napoli) or the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, at the end of the French Domination period when the Kingdom had Napoleonic rulers, the French influence can be seen in the design. The cellar has 2 parts, a circular base with intricate pierced skirting, gadrooned rim, and 3 wonderful cast feet with lion heads with rings, and paw feet, the detail is lovely. The feet are supported by curved triangular supporting bars, which contain the hallmarks. The base holds a circular gilded cellar, which can be removed for cleaning, it is held in place with a locking mechanism, 2 bars that fit into slots and then rotate to secure. In addition to the beautiful design, the quality is very pleasing, this would have been an expensive item when new. The condition is also pleasing, just a small dent to the cellar, and another dent to the skirting, salt cellars were well used and often are damaged. The base has 3 hallmarks, makers mark GB under device (all assistan...
A beautiful pair of Art Nouveau or Jugendstil 800 silver milk or cream jugs, decorated with applied poppies, these are very small jugs, they could almost be described as miniature. The milk jugs are baluster in shape, with a generous pouring lip, and double scroll handles, and flat bases. The interiors are gilded, we can imagine these being used with expresso coffee cups. Both jugs are clearly hallmarked with 4 hallmarks, the German Crown and Crescent mark used after 1888, makers mark LW intertwined in a shield for Lutz & Weiss, 800 standard mark and a lion passant also used by Lutz & Weiss. Lutz & Weiss Silberwarenfabriek was founded in 1882 in Pforzheim, they were an important German firm of silversmiths.
A beautiful antique French silver 4 piece Hors-Doeuvre serving set, consisting of butter or pate knife, pierced spoon, serving fork and pastry trowel, perfectly preserved in their original box. Both the implements and the handles are 950 grade silver, so higher grade than sterling (925). The matching handles are very ornate in Neoclassical style, the detailed design od architectural elements, scrolls and foliage is raised, so provides extra grip, the detail is superb. Both the spoon and the trowel are finely pierced, and all 4 implements are engraved with scrolls and foliage. All 4 items are hallmarked, both on the blades and the handles, with the French Minerva 1 for 950 grade silver, and diamond makers mark, most of which are poorly struck with only some partially visible, enough is present to see makers mark VH around glaziers diamond (un diamant de vitrier) for Vital Hygonnet, who worked in Paris between 1895 and 1928. Serving sets such as these were very fashionable in France around the turn of the 20th ...
A set of 6 Norwegian silver cake forks in the Lilje (Lily) pattern, made by one of Norway's leading silversmiths, Magnus Aase, circa 1939. The forks are in the 830 silver grade, and their quality is excellent, they are also a pleasing size and weight (25 grammes each), so very suitable for use. The Lily pattern was designed by Trigve Eriksen in 1939, described as a simple yet elegant expression of the Lily, typical of the artistic style of the 1930's. This pattern is still produced today by Arven, described as one of their most popular patterns, they descend from Theodor Olsen, Magnus Aase, Marius Hammer, Jacob Tostrup and the Lohne brothers (www.arven.no). The hallmarks are clear on all 6 forks, and include 830S standard mark, MA makers mark, NM for "Norsk Monster" (patent) and N , possibly a date letter.
A set of 6 Georg Jensen sterling silver coffee or demitasse spoons, in the Akkeleje # 77 pattern. The design is repeated on the back and the front, the Akkeleje can be translated as the Columbine flower, these are attractive, dainty spoons. The pattern was introduced in 1918, and was designed by Georg Jensen himself. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with Danish hallmarks, including makers mark GJ above "STERLING DENMARK", they also have London import marks and 925 sterling marks for 1934 and 1935 (4 are 1934, 2 are 1935), along with makers mark G.J Ld, used by Jensen between 1931 and 1967 for items imported to their store in New Bond Street, London.
A Pair of lovely French silver 2 pronged forks, with beautiful ornate baluster handles in 800 grade silver. The forks are finely decorated with flowers, scrolls and acanthus leaves, on a matted hand engraved textured surface, the central portion have a diamond engraved pattern with grooves, to improve grip. The steel prongs are long and elegant, sharp and slightly splayed. Both forks have 2 small hallmarks, the French silver Boars Head used for 800 standard (2eme titre) on small items, this mark was in use between 1838 and 1961, and an additional 800 standard mark. We date these forks to mid 19th century, copies of an earlier style.
An Arts and Crafts Swedish silver sugar bowl with lid, with circular hand hammered body on a raised circular foot, the lid with a ring finial. It is a simple but beautiful design, and is a very good weight and excellent quality. The hallmarks are very clear, having been protected by the raised foot. They include the Swedish State mark (3 crowns) and 830 silver standard (S in hexagon), Goteborg city mark (crowned G), date letter for 1962 (M9) and sponsors mark for Thore Eldh (SFS). Thore Eldh was a highly regarded Swedish designer who worked between 1935 and 1967. In addition to the hallmarks, the bowl is stamped "Cecilia" in script form, we assume a pattern name.
A lovely set of Jugendstil German 800 silver teaspoons, of very good quality. The spoons all have a cast crest depicting an eagle within a shield, over a cross within another shield. This has the appearance of a military crest, but this is not our area of expertise. The spoons are in their original box, marked "HG Berg, Guldsmed, Sandefjord", which is in Norway - so the possibility exists that the spoons were manufactured in Germany for the Norwegian market, so the crest could be Norwegian. Note - The spoons weigh 145 grams, not 160 grams as per our original description. Close inspection also reveals that 4 spoons are by maker S in circle (which we have not been able to identify), 2 spoons have a zig-zag makers mark, which we believe is Wilhelm Muller of Berlin, who worked between 1880-1940.
A beautiful set of 6 antique silver oyster forks, with gilded bowls, of outstanding quality and in excellent condition. The forks have a teaspoon shaped bowl, with 3 fat tines, and a cutting edge on one side, although this is not sharp, the bowls are also gilded front and back. The forks have Rococo handles with small flowers and foliage, this is model 195 from the Bruckmann & Sohne catalogue, first produced in 1896. The forks are also engraved with original owners initials GM, this engraving is also incredibly detailed, the work of a master craftsman. The forks are all clearly hallmarked with the German post 1888 crescent and crown, along with 800 standard mark and makers mark of eagle with spread wings. 4 of the forks are also hallmarked with retailers mark "Gutig" for C.F. Gutig of Leipzig, leading jewelers for over 150 years from 1783-1933. Bruckmann & Sohne of Heilbron worked between 1805 and 1968, at the time these beautiful forks were made they were the largest silversmith in Germany. Whilst these beau...
A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) pastry or cake server, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1925. The server is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The server is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible on the blade and the stem. The blade is nicely shaped, and has a raised lip which increases away from the pointed tip, so very practical to use. The server is 830 grade silver, as is usual for Danish silver. The well struck hallmarks include "Evald Nielsen" in an attractive script, with "No 4" indicating pattern, date letter "ANNO 1925", the letter "S" surrounded by dots in shaped punch for silver, and "830" in oval punch surrounded by dots for grade of silver. Evald Nielsen worked between 1905 and 1958 from Copenhagen, he designed all his own designs (as opposed to his contemporary Georg Jensen). He won numerous awards internationally, and his silver can be seen in numerous museums, including the Metropolitan in New York...
An antique Danish silver christening spoon, this is a 19th century replica of a 16th century spoon, originally used for Royal coronations. This is a beautiful spoon, extremely good quality, it has a lovely feel. The circular bowl is engraved in traditional style, the gilded front with Madonna holding 2 babies, one with a crown, and surrounded by traditional religious inscription in ancient Scandinavian (translation assistance would be most welcome!). The back of the bowl is engraved with St Olaf of Norway, holding battleaxe and orb, standing on a lion with crowned head, also surrounded by inscription. The cast handle of the spoon is very decorative, a head above a warrior with sword, above traditional implements (thor hammer, hand). The back of the handle has an attractive celtic design. The hallmarks include makers mark A.M (possible Anton Michelson?), the Copenhagen town mark (3 towers), date letter for 1868, and assay masters mark SG for Simon Groth, who worked between 1863 and 1904. Wayne Bednersh, author...
A set of 6 Prussian silver teaspoons, made in Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland. The spoons are a lovely shape, with long elegant pointed terminals and elongated bowls, more similar to grapefruit or fruit spoons, or lemoen lepels in Dutch. The spoons have bright cut engraving, designed to reflect in candle light, and cartouche for initials. The original owners prick engraved initials G.V. J are very faintly visible. The spoons have 3 hallmarks, most marks are clear, some partially obscured. They include Danzig town mark (2 maltese crosses below crown) in irregular shield, used between 1790 and 1799, makers mark JGS in script, and a large cursive E, we believe this is the assay master mark rather than a date letter, all suggestions welcome. We have identified a Danzig silversmith Johannes Gottlieb Stegmann whose makers mark was JGS, he worked between 1772 and 1804, but his published mark (www.agraart.pl/silver), is different, not the script style as here, so it is possible we have mis-identified the silversmith, all...
A collection of six silver miniature animals, with lovely detail. 5 of the animals are sterling 925 silver, the smallest one is 800 grade (the mouse). The 2 dogs and pair of geese are from Germany, clearly hallmarked 925 and the post 1888 moon and crown German standard mark. The snail is Italian, made by Sorini of Arezzo post 1984, the hallmarks are small but clear. The other 5 animals we believe to be older.