A rare pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels (orange spoons), with an interesting provenance, they featured in the book Cape Silver and Silversmiths by Stephan Welz, pg 93. The spoons are the traditional lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, and triangular terminal, and Cape prick engraving. The spoons have a very elegant shape, the bowls deep and curved, the drop is distinctly v shaped, they have a lovely feel in the hand. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IL in rectangular punch for Jan Lotter, and also are punched with initials HB, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Jan Lotter, who died young after a short career (1813-1817), was part of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths, he ma...

A Cape silver konfyt fork, in the Old English pattern with feather edge decoration and 3 tines, dating it around 1790 to 1800. The fork is struck with a makers mark only, i:V:G in an unusual shaped punch, which moulds around the dotted i. This fork matches S 1787, the main difference being longer tines (we believe original, these have not been shortened) and a makers mark that is good but not as clearly struck as the other. Welz describes this maker as unknown, but Heller (History of Cape Silver Vol I, pg 163) lists this maker as Johann Voigt? Both authors depict a different IVG punch from this one, with an additional fish hallmark (see our tablespoon S 1571 by the same maker to see the different punch and fish hallmark). Overall we agree with Welz and are not convinced by the attribution to Voigt, it seems far more likely to belong to a "van G" maker (for example van Graan, a known Cape name). Overall an interesting hallmark that requires further research. Note - a matching konfyt fork by the same maker is a...

An interesting Arts & Crafts silver 2 pronged fork, hallmarked by Harry Warmington of the Guild of Handicraft, run by the Hart's of Chipping Campden. The fork has 2 flat tines, with shaped ends replicating an earlier style, the handle has 2 bumps, similar to Scottish Fiddle pattern of the 18th century. The fork is hand hammered, as you would expect from this studio, with individual hammer marks visible, and is engraved with initial T (also done by hand). The fork has a pleasant feel, and would be very suitable for serving cold meats. Harry Warmington was "an integral member of the Guild of Handicraft workshop for some 50 years, he was one of the best silversmiths to have worked in Campden, he was also a fine engraver. Despite his abilities, he never applied to become a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company",quote from the book "The Harts of Chipping Campden, pg 31. Harry was recruited by George Hart in 1912 from the local grammar school, he joined the infantry in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I, then the Roy...

A Cape silver konfyt fork by the respected silversmith Johan Hendrik Vos, part of the Vos family of Cape Silversmiths. The fork is quite long and elegant, in the Old English pattern, and has no engraving. It has 3 tines, (later forks have 4 tines), so probably dates to before 1800. The fork also has a wide semi circular drop, also indicative of a date before 1800. The hallmarks are excellent, and consist of a square punch with 4 dots struck twice, either side of makers mark JHV in script in oval punch (Welz mark 152, Cape Silver and Silversmiths). Vos worked between 1766 and 1810, he apprenticed with Johann Hasse between 1761 and 1766. He married in 1770 and had 12 children, his wife Elizabeth continued his business after he died in 1810 by adding the hallmark Wed (Weduwee, or widow) next to his JHV makers mark (Welz mark 154). The Vos Family produced over 10 Cape Silversmiths between 1748 and 1862 (Heller, History of Cape Silver Vol 1, pg 66-71, and page 269 for a family tree). The 4 dot square punch was als...

An interesting silver caddy spoon made to commemorate the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana in 1981. This is a lovely caddy spoon, quite heavy, excellent quality, and with a very pleasing design. The bowl is circular with stylised Prince of Wales feathers with Royal crown and motto "ICH DIEN". The handle is rectangular with diamond lozenge with the Spencer family Coat of Arms, 3 scallop shells between 2 devices, above Spencer family motto "Dieu Defend Le Droit", translated "God defend the right". The back of the handle is engraved "Des A. G. Styles, Garrard & Co Ltd, 42". It is also engraved with the name "George Ware" underneath the hallmarks, which are clear (we assume a previous owner). Alex Styles was one of Britain's leading silver designers of the 20th century, he spent most of his career as lead designer at Garrards, the Royal silversmiths, until he retired in 1987. The Times newspaper described him as "the finest designer of hand made silver in England" in 1966. He served with the RAF duri...

A Tiffany silver baby or child's spoon and fork, intended as a Christening present. These are quite small, suitable for use by a toddler, they are really sweet. The pattern on the back and front has a double reeded edge, terminating in a V shape in the bowl. The fork tines are quite fat and blunt, so not dangerous. Both are hallmarked "Tiffany & Co Sterling M", the M indicating a date between 1907 and 1947.

A very fine Edwardian silver replica of a Baluster Seal Top spoon, made by Crichton Brothers, who were the leading British dealers of their time, with 3 Royal appointments. The spoon is very good quality, and a pleasing size and weight, a pleasure to use. The seal top is engraved with initial H, this spoon was probably a Christening present. Lionel Alfred Crichton, 1890-1938, was known for it's fine quality replica silver, see our photo of their advertisement. Lionel Crichton also set auction records for silver purchases in 1914, he paid the record sum of 5600 pounds at Christies for a silver standing salt, dated 1508 (Henry VIII), from Lord Ashburnham's collection. This spoon could be a copy of the "massive and heavy baluster sealtop, London 1592", depicted in "English and Scottish Silver Spoons", Volume 1, pg 236, by Commander How. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark LAC.

A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved crest of the Royal Mint of Pretoria. The spoon is good quality, a pleasing weight and the crest is very clear. The Royal Mint of Pretoria was opened in 1923 as a branch of the Royal Mint of London. It broke ties with London in 1941, becoming the South African Mint. The Royal Mint of Pretoria branch was one of 6 Royal Mint branches, the others in Canada (Ottawa), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) and India (Bombay). The Pretoria Mint produced British gold sovereigns between 1923 and 1932, these carry the SA mint mark. The caddy spoon hallmarks are clear, being 925, silver and RMP makers mark. We assume the spoon was made in 1923 to commemorate the opening of the Mint. This matches item S1362, which we have already sold.

A lovely gold lady golfer medallion or brooch, with a lady golfer in full swing, above a scroll reading "R D L G C", possibly Royal Durban Ladies Golf Club. The medallion has 2 different colours of gold, a redder colour and also brighter yellow colour, which combined with the texture makes the picture stand out. The back of the medallion is engraved "W.m PAY LOVING CUP, 1935, J HEY", the original winner of the medallion. The medallion has a 14 carat gold pin and clasp on the back, allowing it to be worn as a brooch (this could be easily removed, allowing the medallion to be worn as a pendant). The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark for Marples and Beasley, who were jewellers and medallists, they worked between 1899 and 1994. The other hallmarks include 9 and .375 indicating 9 carat gold, and date letter for 1921, so it was made some time before it was awarded.

A magnificent silver cigarette case, of exceptional quality, one of the finest we have seen. It is rectangular, and decorated with very finely engraved scrolling foliage on a stippled background, which is most attractive. The case has a gilt interior, and the original elastic bands. The case has a circular cartouche, decorated with the Hayes family crest, an attractive lion holding a standard with the motto "Renovate Animos", translated "Renew your Courage". The original owners name, "William Andrew Hayes" is engraved underneath the crest. The hallmarks are very clear, even the clasp knob is hallmarked, a sign of quality. Deakin & Francis, who still exist today after being founded in 1786, are known for their high quality small silverware.

A good set of early Old English tablespoons, with narrow elegant handles characteristic of the earlier Old English pattern. These spoons also have the initial B, and very clear hallmarks. These spoons all have the rare incuse duty mark (George III looking left), which was only in use for 18 months. As can be seen from the photographs, these marks are well struck and remain crisp, with no wear. George Smith was a prolific spoonmaker, this period predates his partnership with William Fearn (1786), the firm later became Eley and Fearn.

A very typical Cape snuff box, relatively crude in comparison to its English counterparts. Rectangular, rounded corners, bright cut wrigglework enclosing initials ECP, gadrooned thumbpiece. Interior has gilt remnants. Very clear makers mark.

A pair of antique silver whisky noggins, also called Chota Pegs. The noggins are the traditional conical shape, with cut glass star base, glass handle and silver pouring collar and lid with thumb piece. The hallmarks are clear on both the rim and the lid of both noggins. Whisky noggins were popular in Edwardian times, they contain a 1 gill (30 ml) measure, so a generous double tot, and were made to be taken to bed. They were also popular amongst British expats in India during the Raj period, where they were called "Chota Peg", or little drink, also "go to bed" drink. Joshua and John Maxfield, founded in 1855 in Sheffield, were celebrated at the Jewellers Exhibition of 1913 for "the extent and variety of novelties which they have placed on the market" Culme, Gold & Silversmiths pg 319. They had a showroom in London's Regent Street so must have been a prestigious firm.

Set of 3 gilt spoons (caddy, sugar sifter and jam) with exquisite decoration in the style of the Aesthetic Movement. This movement flourished in the period 1865 - 1885, after the International Exhibition in London led to a an interest in Japanese decorative arts. The decoration consists of abstract patterns of bamboos, birds and butterflies. Original silk lined box, and very clear hallmarks.

A lovely set of 12 rat-tail trefid silver teaspoons and matching sugartongs, also with rat-tail, well preserved in original box. This set is antique, being over 100 years old, but was made as a replica of an earlier style (circa 1680). In late Victorian and Edwardian times good quality replicas of earlier styles were popular, this set is also very good quality, and is suitable for use. The hallmarks on all 13 pieces are excellent. James Dixon & Sons is a well known firm, first established in 1806 and still in business today.They employed over 600 people during Victorian times (Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths).

A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) cream ladle, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1924. The ladle is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The ladle is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible in the bowl and the stem. The ladle has a flat circular bowl with a narrow lip, about 0.7 cm deep. The ladle 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 1924", 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, V&A in London, and Kunstmuseum in Denmark. Nielsen produ...

A private die silver Victorian dessert fork, made by Elkington & Co in 1898. The fork is an excellent gauge, over 60 grammes, a good quality fork. It is double struck with a variant of Kings pattern, but with an ornate scrolling design below the raised family crest. The crest is a griffin holding a branch with leaves in its beak, described as "Griffin's head erased argent holding in the baek a sprig or rose branch proper", this is the Watson family crest. This branch of the Watson family came from Silsden, Yorkshire, descendants of Rowland Watson, Silsden Moor late 16th century. The hallmarks are very clear. Private die flatware was individually commissioned with the family crest die-stamped rather than engraved on a stock pattern (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 173. Most 19th century private die patterns were supplied through Hunt & Roskell to members of the peerage and other wealthy clients. Pickford describes these as "fascinating, but obviously impossible to build into services". Note - this fork is acco...

A lovely set of 6 single struck Kings pattern with shoulders (Kings Front French Shoulder, Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 123) Newcastle silver teaspoons. The spoons are the larger size teaspoons, and have a good gauge, over 20 grammes each, these are pleasing quality. Single struck flatware is usually found in Scotland, it is unusual in England, where the patterns were usually double struck (pattern on both sides) The hallmarks on all 6 teaspoons are excellent, and include makers mark TS for Thomas Sewell I, who worked between 1846 and 1875. They include an additional 5 hallmarks, uncrowned Victoria duty mark, lion passant, three castle town mark, leopards head uncrowned, and date letter I in circular punch for 1847. It is clear the date letter and makers mark were struck individually, the other 4 marks struck together in a stub (the date letter punch overlaps slightly on 2 spoons). These are interesting hallmarks, the uncrowned leopards head was only used for 5 years between 1846 and 1850, when it reverted b...

A lovely set of 6 Rat-tail Hanoverian coffee spoons with gilded bowls, and matching sugar tongs. These spoons have wavy rat-tails, a very unusual feature we have not seen before. The arms of the tongs are modeled as matching spoons, complete with the wavy rat-tail. Hallmarks on all 7 items are clear. Harry Synyer and Charles Beddoes worked between 1897 and 1949, from Vyse Street, Birmingham.

Delightful Gorham Sterling nursery rhyme plate, with embossed pictures depicting scenes from nursery rhymes around the rim. Rhymes depicted include "the cat and the fiddle", "the cow jumped over the moon", "sing a song of sixpence", "4 and 20 blackbirds" and some we haven't identified (teapot, cock, spoon and bowl, teacup and rose, wolf). 31 pictures are present, with 9 different designs, repeated in a random fashion. The plate is very good quality, the embossing is superb, with very fine detail. The plate is engraved on the back "J.M.W., X mas 1885" - indicating it was a Christmas present. The initials "W.W.S." in different script are below, we assume a later owner. The hallmarks are very clear, the Gorham trademarks (Lion, Anchor and capital G), along with "Sterling" and "L93" (L is the yearmark for 1879). This beautiful antique silver Gorham plate would make an ideal Christening present. This plate is depicted in the book "Gorham Silver 1831-1981", by Charles Carpenter, pg 212, which is shown with a matchi...