A Tiffany sterling silver Olympian pattern sugar tongs, of very good quality, and with no monograms. Olympian pattern depicts various different scenes from Greek mythology, and has been described as the most elaborate and complex of all Tiffany flatware patterns. This scene shows Pan with 4 nymphs or satyrs, with horns and goat leg hindquarters, one nymph with erect phallus (which must be pretty unique on a flatware pattern!), demonstrating Pan's status as fertility God. Ther tongs are hallmarked "M Tiffany & Co Sterling PAT 1878". The M indicates a date between 1875 and 1891. Note - We have now identified this motif in Olympian as "Satyrs receiving instruction", no 17 of 17 different motif's in this pattern, as described in the original catalog. the instructions come from Sylvanus, a rural deity (Tiffany Silver Flatware 1845-1905, page 215) - a book we highly recommend.
A lovely silver and enamel fob, depicting a footballer in early 20th century dress. The fob would have been attached to a silver "Albert" or pocketwatch chain. The hallmarks are very clear.
A silver prize fob medallion, of the Surbiton Motor Club (just outside London), awarded for the London to Barnstaple race in 1927. The medallion is beautiful, and features a maiden in flowing dress holding a laurel wreath, and a shield with 3 fish, we assume the crest of the Surbiton motor club. The medallion is well made, the detail is excellent, this would make an attractive necklace pendant. The rear of the medallion has a laurel wreath, and is engraved "London Barnstaple 1927 A.W. Alliston". The hallmarks are clear.
Silver pierced vine leaf sherry label, made by the highly regarded Rawlings and Summers. The hallmarks, which are small but very clear, are on the front of the label. The chain appears original.
A Scottish Provincial silver toddy ladle in the Celtic Pointed pattern, which was only produced in Scotland and Ireland. The ladle is lovely, long elegant handle with circular bowl, and an original engraved family crest of a crescent. The ladle has 3 hallmarks, makers mark RK in rectanglar punch, Edinburgh 3 tower town mark, and a triple cusped Georgian duty mark. We are not sure if these are official or pseudo hallmarks, the Town mark looks a little suspicious, with irregular punch on top, and it should be accompanied by the thistle and date letter if it was struck in Edinburgh. The duty mark with triple cusp is a well made punch so could be genuine, and the makers mark looks a little crude. It could be Robert Keay of Perth but sent to Edinburgh for assay, but we feel these marks are suspicious, so possibly Robert Keay using pseudo marks or another silversmith altogether. Most Robert Keay silver has his eagle mark, but he did sent some silver to Edinburgh for assay. He is known to have used a triple cusp dut...
A mixed set of 6 Irish sterling silver spoons, 2 large mustard spoons, 2 smaller mustard spoons, and 2 small saltspoons (the last 2 a matching pair). The matching salt spoons are Dublin 1925 by Wakely & Wheeler, the 2 smaller mustard are by William Cummins (1829) and Samuel Neville (1832), the 2 larger mustard spoons are Christopher Cummins (1837) and JS (1867). 1 Spoon has a family crest, 2 have engraved initials and 3 are unengraved. All the hallmarks are clear.
Beautiful set of heavy, elegant grapefruit spoons with classic art deco design. Cased in original box marked "By appointment, Mappin and Webb Ltd, Oxford Street, London". The hallmarks are very clear.
A Victorian sterling silver and Mother of Pearl (MOP) pocket fruit knife, engraved FRIARSQUAD on a silver insert in the MOP handle. The knife is the standard form, with folding sterling silver blade and MOP handle, it has a pleasing feel, an enjoyable object to carry around in your pocket. We are not certain as to the meaning of Friarsquad, all assistance welcome, it could be Friar Squad or Friars Quad, which now include sports teams and beer brands. The knife is clearly hallmarked with makers mark JYC for John Yeomans Cowlishaw, who is described in the book "Pocket Fruit Knives" by Simon Moore, page 158 as "remarkable". Moore says "knives at this time were top quality, using the foremost of pearl cutters, his (JYC) workshop produced some of the finest mid 19th century knives. He became a pillar of the Sheffield community, but died by his own hand in 1894, following the death of his wife". Other hallmarks include Sheffield town mark, lion passant and date letter P.
An extremely rare Victorian silver Palm pattern dessert fork, which is gilded, no engraving is present. Pickford describes the rarity of Palm pattern in his book "Silver Flatware", pg 148. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and in addition a journeyman's mark L is also clearly struck. Palm pattern appears in the Chawner & Co (George Adams) pattern books, who were the most important 19th century silver flatware makers. Please note we also have Palm pattern soup spoons (S1612), made by George Adams in 1876.
A rare Irish provincial sterling silver teaspoon made by Isaac Solomon of Cork, with excellent hallmarks. The teaspoon is Fiddle pattern, the bowl is elongated with a strong tip, more European than English in style. The spoon is engraved with original owners initials II. The hallmarks are excellent, "I.SOLOMON" and "STERLING" in serrated punch, these are well struck, but the sterling punch shows sign of wear. Solomon was born around 1775 and died in 1845, he worked from Patrick's Street, Cork. A number of items with makers mark IS have also been ascribed to Solomon, it is probable that these should be ascribed to John Seymour, and not Solomon. Solomon was a jeweller and silversmith, his working dates beyond 1810 are not known.
A pair of Georgian Scottish silver Celtic Pointed pattern tablespoons, by Alexander Ziegler, who worked in Edinburgh between 1782 and 1802. These are elegant spoons, and although tablespoons are large enough to be used as serving spoons today. Celtic Pointed (or Pointed Old English) is a style used in Scotland and Ireland, not seen in English silver (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 96). The spoons have contemporary engraved initials TB in traditional Scottish style. The hallmarks on both spoons are clear.
A Tiffany silver bleeding bowl, with flat pierced handle, in the traditional style. This bowl is very good quality, as you would expect from Tiffany. Bleeding bowls (known as porringers in the USA) were used extensively in the 17th century, different themes abound as to their use. Today they are often used as wine tasters, which is probably what this bowl was intended for. The base is stamped "Tiffany & Co, Sterling, 383". They are also popular as Christening gifts.
Set of matching spoons in the French Fiddle and Thread pattern, in 800 silver, made in Germany post 1884, all with the same engraved initials (HB). The set includes 6 tablespoons (in original box), 6 teaspoons (in original box) and a soup ladle. The spoons were retailed in Berlin by H Zimmermann, (Juwelier on Orienstr). The 12 spoons were made by Wilkens & Sohne, the ladle by another maker (mark a clearly visible W with 2 people). The ladle has a gilt interior and flat bottom. Note: - these should not be confused with the term "german silver", which is an alloy and not silver as such.
Plain Irish meat skewer with flat blade, and shoulder pattern beneath ring. The hallmarks are very clear, note the lack of a duty mark, as duty was only introduced on Irish silver in 1808. Initials VG. Neville was an extremely well regarded Dublin silversmith, who served as Warden and Master of the Goldsmith's Company. He was elected to the Dublin City Council in 1807.
A Cheshire Regiment 9 ct gold sweetheart brooch, with "Cheshire Regt" in blue enamel under the regimental oak leaves. The pin is stamped "9ct gold", no other hallmarks are present. The pin is still in its original box, marked "Dimmer & Son, 20 Eastgate Row, Chester". The regiment was raised in 1689, and won the distinction of wearing the oak leaves at Dettingen, for protecting the king during the battle. The regimental motto is "Ever Glorious". They fought numerous engagements in the Anglo Boer War, including the capture of Johannesburg, and also raised 38 battalions during the Great war. In 2007 the regiment was merged into the Mercian regiment.
A very interesting Antique silver Slip-Top jam spoon, dating back to the Great War (World War I), which would have been sold exclusively by Harrod's. The spoon is a replica of an early 17th century slip top spoon, complete with a V shaped rat-tail, these spoons are also called "slipped in the stalk' and "slip-end" spoons. The slip top on this spoon almost resembles a screwdriver head, and could be used practically to open tin lids. The spoon bowl is egg shaped, we think it was originally intended for jam. The quality is very pleasing, you cannot resist picking up and using this spoon, we absolutely love it. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark RB for Sir Richard Burbridge, 1st Baronet, who was the Managing Director of Harrods at the time. Harrods today still describes itself as "The World's Leading Department Store". The spoon date of 1915 is interesting, probably made just before silver and other valuable resources were directed at the war effort. An identical spoon is photographed in the book "A...
A pair of Indian Colonial salt spoons, made by Hamilton & Co, the "Garrards of India". The spoons are in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern with gilded bowls, and are double struck, and are pleasing quality, and in good condition. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, makers mark H&Co, Elephant, date letter A and tally marks 2 semi circles, these marks were used 1860-1914 (source www.ascasonline.org, History and Marks of Hamilton & Co). Note the unusual & in the makers mark (quite fat), different makers marks were used by Hamilton over the years, this should assist more precise dating, further research is required. Note: We have matching sifter spoon and sauce ladles.
An antique sterling silver napkin ring with an applied cast silver bulldog, very realistically modelled, and engraved "S.A. Bull Dog Club", for South African bulldog club. The napkin ring is circular, and is clearly hallmarked with makers mark M&W for Mappin & Webb, with Sheffield hallmarks for 1909. The South African Bulldog club was formed in May 1908 and still exists today, see their Facebook page. We assume this napkin ring was commissioned by the original members as prizes.
An interesting and well travelled Georgian silver butterknife, with carved mother of pearl (nacre) handle. The butterknife has a scimitar shaped solid silver blade, with irregular wavy top, engraved with reeded bands and fan decoration. The handle has carved beads, bands and a fan like structure, this gives a good grip and pleasant feel in the hand. A silver ferrule covers the join between blade and handle. The knife is clearly hallmarked with 5 Birmingham hallmarks, including makers mark LV&W for Ledsam, Vale and Wheeler, this mark used between 1826 (when Wheeler joined Ledsam & Vale) and 1834. The blade also has 3 additional hallmarks, the first a shaped V, a Dutch duty mark for foreign silver used between 1814 -1831, so the knife entered the Netherlands shortly after it was made. The other 2 hallmarks are French, Minerva facing right (guarantee mark for foreign silver) and the Bigorne (beak-iron) mark with insect, used as a counter mark between 1819 and 1838, all these marks are clear. the book "Pocket ...
A National Rifle Association 1860 Silver trophy medallion, which would have been awarded as a rifle shooting trophy. The obverse has 2 soldiers, the first a British longbow man with dates 1300-1500, the second a rifleman dated 1860, above motto "Sit Perpetuum" - translated "May it last forever". The reverse has a laurel wreath surrounding "The National Rifle Association 1860". The medallion is excellent quality, and in excellent condition, without any engraving, so perhaps it was never presented. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark E&Co for Elkington, who are known for their superb quality. The National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom is a registered charity with a Royal Charter, whose charitable objectives are to promote and encourage marksmanship throughout the Queen’s dominions in the interest of defence and the permanence of the volunteer and auxiliary forces, naval, military and air. The formal purposes of the charity are to promote the efficiency of the armed forces of the Crown, ...