A Boer war antique silver vesta case, presented as a memento by General Sir Leslie Rundle, the Commander of the 8th Division of the South African Field Force. The vesta case is the usual rectangular shape, with spring hinged lid and gilded interior, and striker on the base, and a connecting ring so it could be attached to a fob chain. The case is good quality and in remarkably good condition, we think this was preserved by the owner and not used, many vesta cases of this period were well used and condition is often poor. The case is engraved on one side with a flag and "VIII" for 8th Division, the other side is engraved "S. AFRICA 1900 from L.R". The vesta case and lid are both clearly hallmarked for London 1900, and makers mark HBA for John Batson & Sons, who worked between 1851 and 1936, they were noted as "Army accoutrement makers" - source John Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, page 34. General Sir Leslie Rundle GCB, GCMG, GCVO, DSO (1856-1934) was a British Army General in the Boer War and First World War, whe...

A Persian (Iranian) silver cigarette case, beautifully decorated with very fine engraving, amonst the best we have seen, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The front of the case features King Darius the Great and his regiment of Persian Immortals, a copy of the stone carvings found on the ruins of Persepolis. The King is seated, everyone else is standing, many are warriors carrying spears, but one figure is carrying an animal (or bird), perhaps an antelope as an offering to the King. The rear of the case has a highly intricate radial design, a series of stars or flowers getting larger, bordered by 4 semi circles in the 4 corners, the detail is spectacular. We are informed this design is called Tabaker, but this is not our area of expertise, all assistance welcome. The interior is finely polished, the silver loops to hold the elasticated straps are intact but the straps are not present. The hinge and clasp work perfectly, and the condition is very pleasing. The interior is clearly hallmarked, 3 marks in A...