A delightful pair of sterling silver rat-tail trefid spoons, coffee spoon size, these spoons were Christmas presents from the Grand Pump Room Hotel in Bath in 1923. The spoons are engraved with the hotel armorial, the stems engraved "Grand Pump Room Hotel, Bath", and the bowls engraved "Xmas 1923". The rat-tails are ribbed, these are perfect replicas of 17th century trefid spoons. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons. "The Grand Pump Room is a historic building in the Abbey Church Yard, Bath, Somerset, England. It is adjacent to the Roman Baths and is named for water that is pumped into the room from the baths' hot springs. Visitors can drink the water or have other refreshments while there. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building since 1950. The building now also houses a restaurant, where afternoon tea can be taken. Music in the restaurant is provided by the Pump Room Trio — the longest established resident ensemble in Europe — or by a pianist. There has been music in the Pump Room since ...

An Edwardian replica of a mote skimmer spoon, made by the leading firm Elkington. The oval spoon bowl has a pierced pattern of foliated scrolls and holes, the rounded handle is attached to the bowl with a rat-tail, the finial is a three sided triangular spearhead, which is very sharp. This spoon is excellent quality, as you would expect from Elkington, it has a lovely feel in the hand. It is teaspoon sized, most mote spoons were longer. Mote spoons originated in the early 18th century, and were used to skim off floating particles of tea leaves and motes (tea dust) from a cup of tea (Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware, page 217). The long thin handle with sharpened point was used to clear the spout of a teapot (when spouts were still straight) where tea leaves clogged it (remember tea leaves were coarser then than we are used to today). In the Plate Offences Act of 1738 these spoons were called tea strainers, but mote spoon or skimmer is the more popular description. There has been controversy over t...

A set of 6 interesting Dutch silver mocha spoons, these spoons are replicas of medieval daimond point spoons dating between 1350 and 1560. The spoons are 835 grade, and have a pyramid or diamond shaped finial mounted on a pedestal, with a 4 sided tapered stem. The fig shaped bowls have a pronounced drop from the stem, as is usual in diamond point spoons, but the bowls have a more pointed end. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark B2V* for JM Visser of Bijkamps & Co of Steenwijk, this mark was used between 1946 and 1975 (Netherlands Responsibility Marks since 1797, mark 2790. The spoons also have 835 grade mark. Bijkamp & Co is a respected Steenwijk silversmith, founded in 1835. The Visser family married into the Bijkamp family, Jan Visser whose mark is on these spoons died in 1950. We really like these spoons!

A pair of octagonal engine turned napkin rings, with applied armorial of the city of East London, South Africa. The armorials are lovely, with 4 colours of enamel, and good quality and gilded, we assume a metal, possibly silver, but no hallmarks are visible (possibly hidden on the back which is glued to the napkin rings. The rings are a pleasing shape, with 2 engine turned panels each, both are clearly hallmarked. The armorial depicts the cross of St George, as with the original London, with sheaves of wheat and sheep depicting agriculture, below a rising sun signifying the east. The shield rests on a gold anchor, as per the Cape Colony arms. This armorial was granted in 1892, it was replaced in 1959 by a more heraldically correct version.

A Chinese Export silver dessertspoon in the Fiddle pattern, made by the respected maker Khecheong in Canton. The spoon has no engraving or any signs of removal of engraving. The hallmarks are clear, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head town mark, pseudo lion passant and makers mark KHC (slight wear to K). Khecheong was one of the most prolific Chinese Export silversmiths, he worked from Club Street, Honam Island, Canton between 1840 and 1870. He has been described as a "good silversmith" Forbes, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1885, page 255 - a book we highly recommend.

A Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, with rare Cape hallmarks not shown by Welz in his book "Cape Silver and Silversmiths". The spoon has been well used, and has a small split (see condition description). The spoon has original owners initials CW engraved on it, the C is larger than the W, so probably done by the owner himself (overall quite quaint). The hallmarks consist of makers mark IL co-joined in oval punch, in between 2 "birds foot" devices, these marks are well struck and clear. The IL makers mark is mark 71 Welz, but the birds foot device is not recorded (Lotter also used a floral hallmark which is recorded). However, the birds foot device used by Lotter is recorded by Morrison (Silversmiths and Goldsmiths of the Cape of Good Hope, 1936, page 57, where this makers mark is pictured). A variant of this mark is also recorded by Heller (History of Cape Silver, 1949, page 151, mark MM40, which shows an extra arm to the birds foot). We can only assume this is a rare mark that was not seen b...

A Clan MacGregor (or Gregor) Scottish sterling silver clan badge, with pin to be worn as a brooch or kilt pin. The badge is the traditonal shape, with cast silver crowned lion erased, surrounded by belt with motto "'S RIOCHAIL MO DHREAM", translated "Royal is my Race". The badge is lovely quality and is in excellent condition. The badge is clearly hallmarked for Edinburgh 1950, with makers mark H&I for Hamilton & Inches, the leading Edinburgh silversmith from Princes Street, they worked between 1870 and 1977. The current MacGregor clan chief is Sir Malcolm Macgregor, 7th Baronet of Lanrick and Balquhidder. The clan dates back to the early 800's, they were amongst the first clans to play bagpipes, and their most famous member was the outlaw and folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor.

An interesting Arts & Crafts copper ladle made by of of South Africa's leading Arts & Crafts silversmiths, the Austrian immigrant Kurt Jobst. The ladle has a long tapered handle, and a circular bowl that is quite flat, the bowl connected to the handle with a rat tail. The bowl (front and back) and the top of the handle are planished (hand hammered leaving a wonderful textured finish), in classic Arts & Crafts fashion, the back of the handle is smooth. The hallmarks are well struck and clear, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst". 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 (c...

An Irish Terrier Club sterling silver trophy spoon, which is in excellent condition. The spoon features a well modelled Irish Terrier head, which stands out in relief, on a shield under the banner which reads "The Irish Terrier Club". The spoon handle is pierced and engraved with an Irish shamrock, this is a lovely and unusual design for a spoon. The quality is excellent, the shield is cast silver, it is a pleasing weight. The spoon would have been specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1911, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!), see www.irishterrierassociation.co.uk. The first president was the Marquis of Breadalbane, who was a noted antique silver spoon collector, so perhaps he drove the production of such beautiful trophy spoons. The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Sheffield in 1924 by Martin Hall & Co Ltd, who worked between 1853 and 1962. Robert Martin ...

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 beautiful matching antique Swedish silver souvenir spoon and fork, with exquisite detail, featuring Stockholms Slott. Both are gilded, and have the Swedish Coat of Arms with red and blue enamel, on an ornate pedestal, with gadrooned stem, and rectangular feature at the base, The spoon bowl features "Stockholms Slott", with fabulous detail, palace, equestrian statue, trees, streetlights and pedestrians. Both are clearly hallmarked, C.G. Hallberg, triple crown national mark, Stockholm town mark and date letters T6 and U6 for 1896 and 1897. The original box, in full working order, reads "H.K.H. Kronprinsens Hof Juvelerare, C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, Goteborg". Without doubt one of the best quality and nicest souvenir sets we have seen.

A set of 6 matching sterling silver golf teaspoons, with embossed crossed golf clubs and ball at the top of each spoon, with reeded border. The spoons are a good quality and weight. Hallmarks are clear on all 6 teaspoons. Walker and Hall were a large and successful firm, they worked between 1882 and 1960.

A rare Victorian silver Paxton pattern silver sugar tongs, in excellent condition. The tongs have the Paxton pattern on both arms, the pattern has a central flower with trailing foliage and flowers, with a Gothic border, and a very different and unusual foliage pattern on the tong bowls. The tongs have a good gauge, excellent quality, as you would expect from Chawner, the top maker of Victorian silver flatware. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co. Ian Pickford, in his book "Silver Flatware", describes the Paxton pattern as "a very rare mid-nineteenth century pattern, named after Joseph Paxton the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition. It is illustrated in the Chawner pattern book, services are very rare, odd pieces may be found, building a service would be extremely difficult" - page 231, where a fork dated 1868, also by Chawner and currently in the V&A museum, is illustrated - see also pg. 219 for Chawner pattern book. Joseph Paxton was al...

A Scottish Provincial silver tablespoon, made in Aberdeen by Peter Ross between 1819 and 1822. The spoon is Fiddle pattern, and has original owners engraved initials AGC. The hallmarks are clear. The hallmarks include makers mark PR between two A hallmarks for Aberdeen. Ross was admitted as an Aberdeen hammerman in 1819, but only lived for 3 more years until 1822 (Aberdeen Silver by Michael Wilson). His legacy is Fiddle pattern flatware, he is not known to have produced other silver items. Note - We have a matching pair of tablespoons S 1891.

An early Cape silver Fiddle pattern dessert spoon, by one of the most highly renowned Cape Silversmiths, Johannes Casparus Lotter (I). The spoon has an engraved family crest of a bird (possibly a dove), this is well engraved. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark .JCL struck twice in between 3 floral devices with 7 petals. This particular combination of marks is not illustrated by Welz in his book Cape Silver and Silversmiths, it is a combination of marks 76 (a distinctive .JCL maker mark), only used by Johannes Casparus Lotter (I), and mark 78, where the 7 petal floral device is used by his son Johannes Casparus Lotter (II). These hallmarks are particularly well struck, so much so that damage to the bottom left corner of the makers mark punch .JCL can clearly be seen. This leads us to believe the punch was well worn, and given this is a Fiddle pattern spoon we can assume this spoon was made towards the end of his career. Given the floral device has only been recorded in work by his son Johanne...

An Exeter silver sifter ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an engraved family crest featuring a dog or wolf. The sifter is the traditional shape, with beautiful scroll and cross-hatch piercing. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark JAP, Victoria duty mark, lion passant, castle town mark and date letter gothic C for 1839. James Andrew Page worked between 1833 and 1862 in Plymouth, he died in 1898. In 1862 the business became Page, Keen & Page, which survived being destroyed by bombs in 1941, and merged with Bowdens in 1970. Page, Keen & Page produced interesting silver replica spoons complete with early Plymouth hallmarks.

A pair of Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent hallmarks. The spoons also have a very faint and crudely scratched owners initial S on the back above the hallmarks, barely visible. The individually struck hallmarks include makers mark JT for John Townsend, pseudo duty mark, pseudo date letter a, pseudo leopards head town mark and pseudo date letter J (Welz mark 122, but struck in a different order). John Townsend (1800-1875) was an interesting character, descibed by Heller as one of the top 5 Cape silversmiths. He arrived in the Cape in 1821 on the ship Duke of Marlboro, and was involved in a number of businesses, including a hotel and auctioneering business, in addition to being goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller and watchmaker. He was embroiled in a number of court cases, mostly due to bad debt, in 1849 he stated "insufficient means to support his 10 children". He moved to Okiep in Namaqualand in 1852 as Manager of Spektakel Copper Mine, but was insolvent by 1868. He died in 1875, and is...

A rare Cape silver Kings pattern (with diamond point} dessert spoon, by Fredrik Waldek. The spoon has original engraved initials HMC, and is very good quality and gauge, as is usual for Cape Kings pattern silver, very suitable for use. The hallmarks include makers mark FW with the Cape Stub mark (see article in our articles section) of 4 pseudo English hallmarks struck in a stub (Welz mark 165). Fredrik Waldek was also a chronometer, clock maker and jeweller. Heller (History of Cape Silver) commended Waldek for "excellent workmanship", this spoon is no exception. Only Waldek and Twentyman produced Kings pattern in the Cape.

A beautiful Irish Georgian silver sugar tongs, with bright cut engraving, Irish "Star" and shell style bowl. The tongs also have a well engraved Lions head family crest in one of the cartouches on the side. No initials are engraved on the bow. The tongs are very good quality, as you would expect from Irish Georgian silver. The tongs have 3 hallmarks, crowned harp for Dublin in rectangular punch with cut corners (used 1793-1809), makers mark JD in script in oval punch, and Hibernian duty mark. No date letter is present, as is usual on Georgian silver tongs (Hodges, Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs, pg 198). John Daly worked between 1786 and 1809, from the style of the tongs we place them circa 1795. Irish tongs by Daly are probably rare, as they were not recorded by Hodges in the book described above.

A very interesting commemorative silver serving spoon, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Samuel Crompton who died in 1827. Crompton was an inventor who invented the spinning mule, he is regarded as a pioneer of the British spinning industry, which contributed greatly to the industrial revolution. This is a lovely spoon, very good quality and weight, ideal for serving. The hallmarks are excellent, and are accompanied by a registration mark, Rd 727476, indicating the spoon design was registered at the patent office. The spoon is also stamped "Preston's Ltd". Prestons of Bolton is a jewellery store founded in 1869, it still exists today, and is regarded as the "Diamond Centre of the North". Crompton was born, lived and died in Bolton.