An Edwardian silver and enamel novelty vesta case, of circular form with hinged flip top lid and striker built into the base. The vesta has an applied enamel in silver rope border, featuring a pack of 8 English foxhounds, very attractively modelled with lovely colours. Vesta cases (also called matchsafes) were used to store vestas (early matches before safety matches were invested), they were very popular between 1890 and 1910.
Fabulous matching set of 24 spoons (table and dessert) with griffon crest. The tablespoons are large and heavy enough to use as serving spoons. Very clear hallmarks and crest on all 24 spoons.
A typical early Georgian two handled punch strainer, which was used for straining orange and lemon pips in the preparation of punch, which was a very popular drink in early 18th century Britian (before wine became popular). The bowl is pierced with 81 crosses arranged in a square, surrounded by pierced foliate decoration. The rim is reeded, and the handles are typical of the period. The strainer has an attractive crest of a clenched fist holding 3 three leaf clovers.The bowl interior is hallmarked with the makers mark struck 4 times, 3 of which are partially obscured by the pierced crosses, and one of which is fully intact and very clear.
An interesting Victorian silver box, with am embossed scene of 4 racing horses pulling a rider, in front of a building. We imagine the rider is riding a chariot, but this is not visible. The rider has a flowing cape, the horses have flowing manes and are kicking up a dust storm, the modelling of the horses is beautiful and very realistic. The box is table snuff box size, it could also fit cigarettes or small cigars, but as it is not gilded or wood lined we assume it is a storage box for small desk items, or perhaps cufflinks on a dressing table. The box is good quality and a pleasing weight. The hallmarks on the base are slightly worn from polishing but still clearly visible, including makers mark G over interlocking L in shield punch for Lambert and Co, who used this mark between 1884 and 1900, based in Coventry Street London. Lambert and Co. was a prestigious firm, originally Lambert and Rawlings, they held a Royal warrant and won a prize medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1861 George Lambert and his...
A rare Cape silver basting spoon with exceptionally clear hallmarks, they could not be better. The spoon is Old English pattern, but more European than English in style, with a deep bowl and strong tip, it also has a double drop, and no engraving is present with no signs of removal, we think this spoon was never engraved. The spoon is hallmarked with a flower in oval punch, flanked by 2 makers mark IL, with an indent in the top of the punch, this is makers mark 74 in the book Cape Silver by Stephan Welz. Jan Lotter, who was regarded by Heller as "a highly skilled craftsman", only worked for 4 years between 1813 and 1817, so he probably died young. He made most of the prized Cape silver "lemoenlepels" (orange spoons) known to exist today. He worked from 22 Keerom Street.
A rare and interesting pair of Irish Georgian silver Bright Cut tablespoons, engraved "Wicklow Reg", for the 37th Wicklow Regiment, part of the Irish Militia. The spoons are Old English in shape, with the traditional "Dublin Star" engraved at the top above the oval cartouche with the regimental engraving, and traditional bright cut engraving. One spoon is in very good condition, the second has small dents to the bowl, overall quite pleasing for Regimental silver spoons which often are in poor condition. One spoon has excellent hallmarks, the second spoon has clear makers mark but worn Irish marks, still visible (spoon with good hallmarks has the dents to bowl). John Shiels (or Sheils) had a long career between 1762 and 1790, given these spoons are 1797 it is possible a son took over his punches. 38 Regiments of Irish Militia were established in 1793 (one from each county) after the outbreak of war with France, to free regular soldiers up and to control the Irish rebellion. The 37th Wicklow Regiment first saw ...
A unique sterling silver inaugural key, made to commemorate the opening of the UNISA (University of South Africa) OR Tambo administrative building on the Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria, in 1980, and presented to South African Minister of Finance Owen Horwood. A series of parallel bars replicate the shape of this iconic building with it's triangular top, this sits on top of a circular hand hammered disc, which represents the rising moon. The key portion is pierced "UNISA September 1980". The key is fabulous quality, and clearly made by hand. The back of the circular moon disc is engraved "To the Hon OPF Horwood in commemoration of the official opening of the Administration building". The key is clearly hallmarked "E Frey Silver 925". The key is perfectly preserved in it's original box, which itself is fabulous quality, a brown grained hardwood with red velvet interior, the base with felt and original "Erich Frey Pretoria" sticker, the empty box is just under 500 grammes, hinges and clasp in full working order. Th...
A mixed set of 6 Irish silver tablespoons, all with excellent hallmarks. 3 spoons are Old English pattern (a matching pair by John Pittar, 1779, bottom marked, with worn shellbacks, and a spoon by Michael Keating, 1799), and 3 are Fiddle pattern (1805 by J.S, 1812 by Richard Sawyer and 1832 by Samuel Neville, this last spoon has a rat-tail. 3 spoons have engraved family crest, 2 spoons have engraved initials, and one spoon has not been engraved. All 6 spoons have well struck and clear Dublin hallmarks, and clear makers marks.
An Arts and Crafts South African silver hand hammered bowl, made by Kurt Jobst, circa 1950. The bowl is circular, and sits on an applied circular base, the quality and finish is excellent, this is a lovely bowl, quite heavy for its size. The hallmarks are clear, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst, Sterling and .925" marks. 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 crash in 1971 aged 66, in 1977 a book of his work was published. Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize winner) wrote the introduction, she wrote that Jobst "gave Joburg som...
An antique Dutch silver gilt 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 has a curved shaped front, and the back panel has the impressed words "HE. DAT IS LIEF", translated He that is love", so probably presented as a love token. The armoire has frontal doors with floral decoration, and 3 drawers below, the back and side panels also have floral decoration. The lid is decorated with an angel reaching up to pluck fruit, with trees in the background, the figure is quite crude, almost as if drawn by a young child. The base is engraved with original owners initials HDV. The hallmarks include Lion Passant 2nd Purity for 833 grade silver (inside main box), and the rim has makers mark AM over 3 dots in rectangular punch (or WV below 3 dots), we have not been able to identify this maker, all assistance welcome. The rim also has Minerva head duty mark (off...
A set of 5 Fiddle pattern Cape silver tableforks, made by Willem Lotter. The forks are quite long and elegant, with bevelled edges, quite attractive and pleasing quality. All 5 forks are struck with makers mark WGL in irregular punch between 2 oval devices (Welz mark 88). Welz depicts this mark as a face, we are not convinced, this requires further research. Willem Gotfried Lotter worked between 1810 and 1835, his father (also Willem Gotfried) was also a silversmith, they shared the same punches. Lotter died in Richmond, which was established as a spa town for sufferers of tuberculosis.
A set of six Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, by Daniel Beets. All 6 spoons have original owners engraved initials JMB. All 6 teaspoons are clearly hallmarked in the same way, with makers mark DB struck twice, alternating with a pseudo Lion passant standard mark, also struck twice. This is a rare combination of marks, not recorded in Cape Silver by Welz, where he shows Beets with star and circular devices, but not with the lion passant punch. Heller shows a Beets mark interspersed with pseudo kings head duty marks, also not shown in Welz, which shows Beets dis also occasionally use pseudo punches. Daniel Beets worked between 1812 and 1828, he was the illegitimate son of German Balthus Beets and Cape slave Angana. His son, also Daniel Beets, also practised as a silversmith, but as he probaly used his fathers punches, no marks are recorded for him. We postulate these could possibly be Daniel Beets Junior, sharing pseudo punches with fellow silversmiths, a practice that is known to have happened.
A lovely pair of Cape Silver Konfyt (Preserve) forks, made by Christiaan Kruger circa 1780. The forks are 3 pronged, indicating its early age, and have pointed terminals. They have typical Cape engraving, with a double banded wavy prick engraved border, and attractive star on terminal, above original initials IK. Both forks are struck with makers mark CK (Welz mark 61), one of the marks has been double struck. Kruger was born in the Cape in 1761, and apprenticed in 1773. He married Hester de Villiers in 1784.
A pair of Royal silver belt buckles, bearing the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, which produced Kings and Queens for both France and Spain for hundreds of years. The central shield contains 3 Fleur-De-Lys, this was established by King Charles VI of France (who died in 1422) in honour of the Holy Trinity. The shield is topped by the Royal crown, and is surrounded by scrolls. The shield also has a "Golden Fleece" suspended from it, indicating membership of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which was established in 1430 by the Duke of Burgundy. The order still exists today, most European Royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and King Juan Carlos of Spain are members. The buckles are stamped, and both have a silver bar for attachment to a belt. The bars are both hallmarked with 2 hallmarks. The first is a cross pattee (Maltese Cross) in circular punch, which has arms that are narrow at the centre and broader at the perimeter. This cross was used by the Knights Templar during the Crusades. The cross...
A lovely set of 4 Sampson Mordan menu holders (or place holders), modelled as owls, with original glass eyes. The owls are delightful, with lovely detail, and are set on circular silver bases. All 4 owls are fully hallmarked, with very clear hallmarks, including makers mark SM&Co. The owls also have an original design registration number, RD433091, and are also stamped with the number 14. Sampson Mordan produced a vast range of good quality personal and novelty trinkets, very innovative at the time, including pencils, bottles and cases (Bexfield, Millers Guide to Silver and Plate, pg 286). Owls were a favourite theme, they appear as bookmarks, scent bottles, vesta cases and of course menu holders.
A Victorian silver wine bottle stand, with blank central cartouche (suitable for engraving), with embossed shell and scroll decoration, raised edge and 4 very ornate scrolling feet. It is a good weight and is good quality, and suitable for use. The base is engraved "Hunt & Roskell, Late Storr & Mortimer, 8095". The sterling lion, town mark, date letter and duty mark are clear, but the makers mark is very faint and barely visible (although not necessary with the full name engraved on the base). Hunt & Roskell were the most prestigious silversmiths of Victorian England, having descended from Paul Storr, the most famous of English silversmiths. They were silversmiths and jewellers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and had an important display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1865 it was recorded that they were the largest holders of precious stones in Europe (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, pg 245).
A gorgeous Tiffany silver card case, with a very attractive and unusual fan shaped textured pattern, with dark and light bands radiating from the clasp. The surface is also textured, with lines and tiny hand hammered bumps radiating out in the same pattern. The hinge is spring loaded, and the clasp is a joy, superbly crafted with a satisfying click on closure. The interior is highly polished, giving a mirror like effect. The case is exceptional quality, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The original purpose of the case is unclear, it is too small for cigarettes (although it could hold the smaller hand made variety), it could also have been a compact. It is ideal for business cards, and could also accommodate photographs. The hallmarks are clear, "Tiffany & Co, 925 Sterling Italy", made during a time when Tiffany employed Italian craftsmen. With its wonderful quality, texture and pattern, this case is a joy to handle, you become reluctant to put it down!
A beautiful and classic Art Deco silver tea service, consisting of teapot, coffeepot, milk jug and sugarbowl. The set is extremely well made, and is a very good weight. The set has ivory handles and finials, and deco engraving. The milk jug and sugarbowl have gilt interiors. All four pieces are fully hallmarked, with clear hallmarks. Viners are well known for their deco silver.
An Arts & Crafts planished (hand hammered) cream jug, with reeded handle that branches out into 6 cast wheat sheaves, with a cast silver mouse on top looking in. The pouring lip is broad, and the jug sits on a circular foot. The hallmarks are excellent. Sarah Jones is one of the 50 leading silversmiths profiled in the book "Designer British Silver, 1930-1985", by Andrew & Styles, a book which we highly recommend. "Her work is quirky and amusing, she is a superb modeller who produces charming animal studies. Her work is in the Royal Collection, a flower study is on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's dresser table (pages 266-271). Note: A similar beaker, made by Sarah Jones in 1984 with applied cast silver mouse on wheatsheaf, can be seen on the Styles silver website www.styles-silver.co.uk.
An interesting Scottish silver baby dish, engraved around the rim with 4 ancient scenes, possibly Mesopotamia, we are not sure of the significance. The dish is extremely good quality, it weighs over 300 grammes, and the engraving is lovely. The 4 panels are interspersed with 2 ladies heads, complete with earings, and 2 cartouches for engraved initials. The engraving contains armed soldiers with swords, shields, spears and bow and arrows, animals (some pulling carts and carriages), palm trees and a winged beast, hence our tentative description as Mesopotamian (all suggestions and assistance most welcome). As the engraving is on what we believe to be a baby dish (solid base, size etc), we believe it to be a Christening present, with the engraving from a fable or historically significant event (similar dishes of the period are engraved with nursery rhymes). The hallmarks are excellent, including Glasgow marks for 1931 and makers mark E&S for Edward and Sons, of Buchanan Street, Glasgow, they also had a London br...
