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 fabulous silver and enamel advertising cigarette case, featuring the famous English cricketer W.G. Grace. The case is rectangular, and is beautifully engraved with scrolling foliage, the quality is excellent. The interior is gilded, and has 2 elaborately pierced and engraved arms, both with hinges. The oval enamel plaque features Grace walking down the pavilion steps out to bat, carrying his bat, in striped MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) hat, and the words "Like Grace" across his chest. Spectators can be seen in the background, the colours are superb. Both lid, base and 2 arms are clearly hallmarked, the makers mark A&J.Z is clear on both arms but worn on the case. The image is a very faithful copy of a Colman's Mustard advertising poster, which reads "Colman's Mustard, Like Grace, Heads the Field (see picture), circa 1895. This is a historic poster and image, as it represents the first time a sportsman had been used to advertise a general product. Colman's mustard was founded in 1814, and is one of the old...

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.

An antique Dutch silver miniature horse and carriage, made in Hoorn late 19th century. The carriage is drawn by 2 prancing horses, with good detail, ropes and whip all intact. The quality is excellent, very solid, just under 100 grammes, so quite heavy for a miniature. The carriage has a driver and guard standing at the rear, and 2 passengers inside. The carriage is attractively engraved, and all 4 wheels turn perfectly. All 4 wheels are hallmarked with the Dutch dagger, used between 1814 and 1953. The carriage bar connecting to the horses also has the Dutch dagger, along with clear makers mark V.S.39, for Gebruder (Brothers) van Straten, who worked in Hoorn between 1885 and 1891 (Netherlands Responsibility Marks Since 1797, mark 20717). The Gebruder van Straten appear to have specialised in miniatures, a number are now in the collection of various museums. A set of miniature chairs and table by the Gebruder Van Straten was formerly in the collection of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, sold at a Sotheby's Ch...

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...

An interesting solid silver figure of a musician playing a trumpet, decorated with coloured cabochon "jewels" in red, blue and green. The figure is beautifully modelled, the detail is astounding, clearly the work of a master craftsman. A total of 21 cabochons are present, we assume they are paste of glass, to simulate rubies, sapphires and emeralds, the cabochon in the hat is larger than the others. The texturing of the hat, hair and stockings is all done by hand. Their are traces of gilding on the figure, at end of trumpet and under coat. The figure only has one hallmark, a clear 13 in shield, quite a stylised 3, this is for 13 Loth silver, or 812 standard, used in Germany prior to 1888, hence our dating of the figure as circa 1880. Whilst no makers mark is present, we are confident it originates in Hanau, Germany, where a number of similar bejewelled figures were made, including a number of musicians. A number can be seen on the Pushkin Antiques website, www.pushkinantiques.com, in the archive/ sold section...

An early antique silver vesta case, with an applied cast golfer in full swing. The vesta is rectangular, with applied strike plate on the bottom of the vesta, the hinge lid has a suspension loop for adding to a chain. Dated 1886 this is an early vesta case, most vestas date between 1890 and 1920. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark WG/JL (William Gibson & John Lawrence Langman) of Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co of Regent Street, a very prestigious firm founded in 1882, now the designated house of Crown Jewellers Garrards, following amalgamation in 1952 (both part of Sears via Mappin & Webb). John Langman was an interesting personality, he equipped and maintained the Langham Field Hospital during the Boer War (Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, page 184).

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...

A rare Oban silver pickle fork with Iona style St. Martin's Cross finial, made by Robert Lindsay in Oban in 1929 and hallmarked in Sheffield. The fork has splayed fat tines, so ideal for pickles or cold meats. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark RL in 2 circular punches, and "R.LINDSAY, OBAN". Lindsay is only recorded for 2 years between 1927 and 1929, we assume the tourist trade was insufficient to support him, so his silver is rare (as is all Oban silver, see our butter knives by Drummond S 1931). He produced small spoons, knives and forks, all with Iona crosses, alongside napkin rings. We welcome additional information on Robert Lindsay, this is a beautiful fork, he deserved to flourish!

A set of 6 antique silver teaspoons, with finials modelled as British soldiers at the time of the Boer War, described as "Soldiers of the Queen" when originally produced. We believe these spoons were produced to raise funds for the war effort. The soldiers are well modelled, back and front, with good detail, including moustache, chest cross band and putties. The spoons are gilded, and have twisted stems. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked on the back of the bowls for Birmingham 1900, this includes a registration mark Rd 352723, which indicates Devenport protected their design. To us the soldiers look like they are wearing the red British uniform with white cross in use at the start of the Boer War, before the change to Khaki to provide better camoflage. British soldiers in red with a white cross on their chests made inviting targets to the Boer marksmen.

An antique sterling silver thimble, size 10, with a panelled gold band over the sterling silver. The panelled bands alternate between larger concave panels and smaller convex panels, with a decorative floral band between each panel. The interior of the thimble is marked "10, STERLING, and anchor", and the gold panelling is marked with makers mark SBC, with a large S, and smaller B and C inside the S. This is the mark for Stern Brothers & Co of Philadelphia, who were well regarded makers of antique silver thimbles. Stern used the combination of the SBC makers mark and anchor between 1908 and 1912, hence we can accurately date this thimble. Prior to 1908 they only used the anchor, after 1912 they used a GBC makers mark, as the firm changed names to Goldsmith Stern. They folded in 1933, a victim of the great depression. We had previously incorrectly ascribed this mark to Simon Brothers, also thimble manufacturers of Philadelphia.

A rare and interesting Dutch silver matchbox holder (or cover), a memento of the destruction of the Ypres Cloth Hall (Lakenhal) during the Great War (World War I), imported and retailed by Harrod's of London. The box is embossed with a detailed image of the Great Cloth Hall in Ypres, before it's destruction during the war. The box reads "YPRES LES HALLES 1914". The gauge of silver is quite thin, and the box has been well used and damaged, 3 of the connecting arms have been repaired. The box is Dutch, and has clear Dutch hallmarks G for 1916, and makers mark VS for Vos & Co of Haarlem, Hertogenbosch. The box also has clear London import marks for 1916, and importers mark RB for Richard Burbridge, who was Managing Director of Harrods from 1911 to 1917. The Cloth Hall was first built in 1304, site of the Les Halles Market, and centre to the town of Ypres (Ieper). It was the site of many major battles during the War, first sustaining damage in 1914 but being completely destroyed by 1918. It was rebuilt between 19...

An antique Dutch silver vinaigrette (zilveren lodereindoosje) in the form of an armoire (kabinet). These have also been described as pomanders, scent boxes, and also incorrectly described as snuff boxes and peppermint boxes. The box is rectangular in shape, with an engraved armoire, complete with drawers, it also has a pierced rim on the lid. The back is decorated with an engraved flower, while the base, sides and lid have engraved wrigglework decoration. The lid is clearly hallmarked with maker mark IS under star (makers mark 10121 in the book "Netherlands Responsibility Marks since 1797") for Johannes Jacobus Smits, who worked in Schoonhoven between 1823 and 1824. The lid also has a very clear date letter O for 1823. The rim of the box also has makers mark and Minerva head office mark (duty mark). Loderein comes from the French "l'eau de reine" translated "water of the king", as only the wealthy could afford the perfumed cologne.

An antique silver miniature furniture cabinet, in 18th century style, made in Hanau by Simon Rosenau and imported into London by David Bridge in 1892. The cabinet has lovely detail, the hinged doors and 2 drawers are in full working order. The cabinet doors and sides are decorated with farming scenes, a woman collecting water, raking and carrying a tray, and a man with basket full of produce. Scrolls complete the design, the cabinet stands on 4 S shaped feet, the drawers have ring pulls and the door has a handle. The base of the cabinet and base of largest drawer have Hanau hallmarks, a clear SR under crown makers mark, clear 930 standard mark (so slightly purer than sterling 925), less clear German moon and crown mark, and a 4th indistinct mark. The back of the cabinet has very clear London import marks for 1892 and Importers mark DB for David Bridge. Simon Rosenau worked in Bad Kissingen from 1862-1932, he supplied antiques to the Royal Bavarian court. His son took over the business in the 1890's, he was d...

A lovely set of 6 Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, in excellent condition and with very clear hallmarks. The spoons are clearly hand made, you can see very slight differences in the shape and size of the Fiddle and bowl shape when comparing closely. The spoons are good quality and a good weight, just under 20 grammes each. The spoons have no engraving with no initials removed, completely original. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with 4 pseudo hallmarks, all struck individually in the same order - pseudo duty mark, bird, pseudo Edinburgh Castle town mark and pseudo date letter B. This is mark 134 in the book "Cape Silver and Silversmiths" by Stephan Welz, without makers mark - but clearly Twentyman as he was the only Cape silversmith who used these punches. Twentyman was the most prolific of all Cape silversmiths, he had the first shop on Heerengracht (now Adderley Street) with a shop window. He worked between 1818 and 1837. We really like these spoons.

A W.R.N.S. (Women's Royal Naval Service) 9 carat gold and enamel Sweetheart brooch, probably dating back to WW II. The brooch has lovely detail, with 2 tones of gold, the W.R.N.S. badge of a bird (wren) sitting on an anchor behind the naval crown, above W.R.N.S. scroll in blue enamel. This is mounted on a 9 carat gold bar brooch, with gold pin and locking clasp, often these pins are not gold. The bar is clearly hallmarked 9CT for 9 carat gold. The W.R.N.S. (popularly and officially known as the Wrens) was the Women's branch of the Royal Navy, served as cooks, clerks, wireless telegraphists, radar plotters, weapons analysts, range assessors, electricians and air mechanics, in 1944 they had 75000 service women.

A fabulous sterling silver basting spoon (gravy or serving spoon) in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The basting spoon is a substantial size and weight, the quality is excellent. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.