A South African sterling silver military caddy spoon, with an applied badge of the SAPPERS, the South African Engineers Corps. The badge is a flaming grenade (inherited from the British), the button below reads "South Africa Suid Afrika" , so both English and Afrikaans, the bage is a coppery gold colour, we are not sure of it's composition. The caddy spoon has a rounded bowl, with wide flat handle with a series of indents, this pattern (and others with slight variations) was designed by RMP (Royal Mint Pretoria), which became the SAM (South African Mint) in 1941. The spoon is good quality, and has a pleasing weight. Similar designed caddy spoons, by both RMP AND SAM, can be seen elsewhere on Leopard Antiques (S1362, S1652, and S1762). The spoon is hallmarked "STER SIL", clearly struck, no other hallmarks are present. We have tentatively dated this spoon to the World War II period, when the SA Engineers saw distinguished service in Italy, but it could be earlier (1923-1939).
A set of six sterling silver place card holders, all containing a very rare hallmark, the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. The holders are rounded rectangular in shape, with a zig-zag border, with supporting circular foot and holder to hold the place card in place. The front of the holders is blank, designed for personalised engraving, these have never been engraved. All 6 holders have 7 hallmarks, all clearly struck, including marks for London 1990, along with makers mark AN in shield, the sterling silver convention hallmark (scale with 925), additional 925 standard mark, and a rare and unusual 7th hallmark, the Queen's Award for Export Achievement (Royal Crown above cog device, with centre letter E). Ari Norman was the first British silversmith to be granted this award in 1989, he was then allowed to use the hallmark in 1989 and 1990, as per these pieces. The Queen's award was established in 1965, and still operates today. We are not aware of any other silversmith who has won this award, hence the scar...
A set of 12 identical sterling silver golf trophy spoons, all with identical engraving of BIGC in Gothic script (or IBGC) for a golf club. The spoons are great quality, with cast handles featuring golf clubs and balls, the club handles are also textured. The spoons are all in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used, and have no engraving on the bowls. They are contained in a box which looks like it was custom made for the set, with purple velvet. All 12 spoons have very clear hallmarks, 9 were made by Robert Chandler (dates 1907-1910), and 3 were made by William James Dingley (2 are 1912, one later at 1925). We assume these were trophy spoons, won over the years by a golfer, who decided to safeguard them with a custom made box.
An interesting set of 6 sterling silver rat tail Hanoverian pattern teaspoons, retailed by Liberty, made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with hallmarks from 6 different towns - London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Chester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The spoons have engraved owners initials J&J. All 6 spoons also have the optional coronation mark used in 1952 and 1953. All of the hallmarks are well struck and excellent, note the different style makers mark for Roberts & Belk used on the London spoon. The spoons are in original box (note condition and water damage from photos), exterior reads "British Hallmarks", interior reads "Liberty, British Hallmarks, London Leopards Head. Birmingham anchor, Sheffield crown, Chester three sheaves with sword, Glasgow Tree, Edinburgh castle", with pictures of the hallmarks. This set would make an excellent gift to a young collector interested in hallmarks.
An antique silver golfing medallion, featuring a golfer in plus four's, his caddy and a lady observer with walking stick, all in traditional attire. The medallion is quite large and heavy, the quality is excellent. The detail is lovely, and includes a church, house, trees and fence in the background. The reverse has a laurel wreath, and is engraved "P.P.BURG GOLF CLUB 1911, won by J.C. TERBLANCHE". P.P.Burg stands for the town PaulPietersburg in northern Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, which was established in 1888. The front of the medallion has the engraver's initials WJD for William James Dingley, the back is fully hallmarked, but the hallmarks are worn (just discernable, including makers mark WJD.
A pair of Georgian silver wine labels, engraved for Gin and Rum, made by Thomas Phipps and Edward Robinson in 1792. The labels are rectangular but with very pronounced cut corners, which gives them an octagonal shape. They also have a double reeded border. Both are hand engraved, the Gin with incisions emphasizing the engraving and the Rum with black infill. Both labels have very clear hallmarks, makers mark T.P/E.R in indented puch, this mark was used by Phipps & Robinson between 1790 and 1805. The Georgian duty mark has excellent detail, the remaining marks are sterling lion passant and date letter r for 1792, no town mark is present. Rectangular wine labels remained pure rectangles for about 20 years until 1787, when cut corners started to appear. Phipps & Robinson, along with Hester Batemand and James Hyde, were leaders of the new style (Wine Labels 1730-2003, page 50). Phipps & Robinson were one of the best known firms in London for wine labels, known for their high quality of workmanship and innovative ...
A set of six sterling silver teaspoons, made in 1952 and carrying the coronation hallmark used to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, The spoons are an unusual pattern, with Fiddle pattern style shoulders, notched finial (2 corners cut away), and 4 engraved bands between notches, overall an attractive pattern. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.
An interesting solid silver napkin ring, awarded as 2nd prize in the Dewar Shield of 1939 by SANRA (South African National Rifle Association). The ring is rectangular in shape, with but with lobed sides, so a pleasing shape, it is quite heavy at 55 grammes, the quality is excellent. The napkin ring has applied crest of the South African National Rifle Association, a jumping springbok under crossed rifles, above a laurel wreath, with SANRA above and SANS below (Afrikaans equivalent). The ring is engraved "The Dewar Shield, 1939, 2nd Prize". The silver hallmarks are clear, including maker mark for Charles Green & Co, who worked between 1904 and 1986.
An antique silver and enamel vesta case, with the coat of arms of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands. The vesta is rectangular with rounded corners, and has a safety suspension ring. The applied cast coat of arms has red, blue and yellow enamel, and features a three masted sailing ship with sails furled, above KIRKWALL and below motto "Si Deus Nobiscum", translated "If God be for us" from Romans 8:31. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark R.C. for Robert Chandler, who worked between 1902 and 1924. Kirkwall is the capital of the Scottish Orkney Islands, the original Kirk was the 11th century St Olaf's of Norway. Kirkwall is also the home of Highland Park whisky, so is on my list of places I would like to visit.
Note - The Delft spoon has been sold, only the Amsterdam spoon is available. Price listed is for Amsterdam spoon only. Two 18th century Dutch silver Memorial or Figural spoons, very similar in style so we have grouped them together. Both spoons have figures mounted on pedestals, auricular style triangular handles, rudimentary rat tails and deep gilded spoon bowls (deep lemon colour). The first spoon from Amsterdam has a figure holding a long implement with notches (all suggestions welcome), and has a hole under his arm (possibly a missing piece?). The handle or stem is triangular, with zig zag scratches, the 4 hallmarks grouped on back of bowl at left side are clear (as is usual for Amsterdam spoons of this period). The marks include makers mark JS in oval punch (very clear), for Johannes Selling, date letter V (1780), Dutch purity lion for first grade (934) silver, and Amsterdam town mark. The spoon has a later well struck mark struck in the bowl, the axe or hatchet mark, used between 1853 ...
A Scottish Provincial silver kilt pin brooch, made by John Fraser of Inverness, but hallmarked in Edinburgh as required by regulations. The kilt pin has a classic celtic design, and is a pleasing quality, and a good size and weight. The pin and clasp are also good quality, and in perfect working order. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark JF incuse for John Fraser of Silvercraft, Inverness, who worked between 1965 and 1982.
A set of 6 rat tail trefid coffee spoons, reproductions of a 17th century style, but just a few years short of being antique themselves. The spoons are in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used. The original box reads "Wilson & Gill, The Goldsmiths, 139 Regent Street, London W", under a crown. Wilson and Gill was established in 1892, it still trades today as Hester Clarke (www.hesterclarke.co.uk), run by the 5th generation descendants. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons, including makers mark TB&S for Thomas Bradbury & Sons, a leading Sheffield manufacturer.
A lovely 9 carat gold and enamel RAF (Royal Air Force) sweetheart brooch, with very good detail. This is very pleasing quality, it would have been an expensive item when first made. The brooch has RAF in red gold under a red enamel crown, above a green enamel laurel wreath, all set in gold, with the feathered yellow gold wings either side. The contrast between the red gold RAF and yellow gold wings is lovely, set off by the red and green enamel. The back is clearly hallmarked "9 CARAT", indicating 9 carat gold. The badge and both clasp connectors are 9 carat gold, the pin itself is a whiter colour so may not be gold.
A set of 24 silver knives, 12 table knives and matching 12 dessert (or bread) knives, in the Louis XIV pattern, made by the leading silversmiths of the period. The knives are very good quality, perfectly suited for regular use. The knives have sterling silver handles and steel blades. The pattern is a Kings pattern variant, with shell and reeded edge, this particular pattern is the Louis XIV pattern. All 24 knives are fully hallmarked, with R&B makers mark for Roberts & Belk, and Sheffield hallmarks (some 1970, some 1971, so the set crossed the date letter change). Roberts & Belk were founded in 1810, in 1960 they were acquired by CJ Vander, the leading silversmiths of the period.
A silver and enamel vesta case, with a circular enamel plaque depicting a smokers pipe and the words "Just one more". The case is rectangular, the interior and strike are gilded, so lovely quality inside. The vesta also has a suspension ring. The hallmarks are clear, the initials LA are engraved next to the hallmarks, we suspect an owners mark rather than makers mark.
A pair of Victorian silver vine leaf wine labels, pierced for Rum and Gin. The labels are single leaf symmetrical, with a textured front, these are die stamped labels. The hallmarks are clear on both labels.
A rat tail Hanoverian pattern tablespoon, with clear hallmarks. The spoon the traditional rat tail used before 1730, the Hanoverian rib on the front of the stem, and original owners engraved initials W*C on the back of the stem, as is usual for 18th century spoons. 3 hallmarks are very clear, the crowned leopards head has excellent detail. The makers mark W.S in oval punch is partially worn, the W slightly worn. William Soame was freed in 1720, he was a largeworked, he died in 1772, after being retired "many years". (Grimwade page 665, mark 3295).
An interesting Indian Colonial 9 carat gold sweetheart brooch, featuring a well modelled cast elephant and battle honour ASSAYE. The brooch is good quality, and the original gold pin and clasp in full working order. The brooch is clearly hallmarked, makers mark H&CoLD, and 9Ct for nine carat gold. This makers mark was used by Hamilton & Co, the "Garrards of India", between 1926 when they became a limited company and 1936 when they introduced date letters. The battle of Assaye was a major battle of the Second Anglo-Maratha War fought between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company in 1803, the future Duke of Wellington commanded the British, he "considered Assaye the finest thing he ever did in the way of fighting even when compared to his later military career" - Wikipedia. He had 2 horses shot under him during the battle. "Both British regiments and Indian units were awarded the Assaye battle honour and most were later given permission to adopt an Assaye elephant as part of their insignia. The ...
A great quality early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoon, with excellent hallmarks. The spoon has no engraving, a long (almost double) drop, and a long elegant shaped bowl. The spoon is 70 grammes, so quite heavy, quite pleasing to hold. All 4 hallmarks are excellent, which is unusual as the marks are often squashed on these early spoons. They include lion passant and leopards head crowned, both with good detail, date letter d for 1739 and makers mark P.R in script, under shell in oval, in unusual punch shape, (Grimwade mark 2229), described as "domed grooveform" (Poole, Identifying British Silver, page 15). Philip Roker was born in 1693, apprenticed to specialist spoonmaker Joseph Barbutt in 1707, and freed in 1720 (so an unusually long apprenticeship). he worked in Westminster and Greenwich as a largeworker and spoonmaker, until his death in 1757. He used this mark between 1739 and 1743. His father and sons were also silversmiths.
A Royal Navy Gold Officers Sweetheart brooch, with gold pin and clasp in full working order. The cast badge has the Royal Navy fouled anchor under Crown, surrounded by laurel wreath, the badge has good detail. No hallmarks are present, but we are certain the pin is solid gold (we assume 9 carat).