A charming Dutch silver miniature foot stove, also called a foot warmer. The stove is bucket shaped, circular with a swing handle, and has an engraved 6 pointed star on top, with 6 holes on each star point, and a central flower shaped hole. This is surrounded by a zig zag pattern, repeated on the sides (top and bottom), the engraving is done by hand and is a little crude. The aperture on the side (for loading wood or coals) is also shaped in an eight pointed pattern. The base has one hallmark, a makers mark, Z2, for Karel Nicolaas zur Muhlen (mark 22153, in the book Netherlands Responsibility Marks since 1797).Muhlen worked between 1895 and 1905, he moved between Roosendaal, Alkmaar, Arnhem and Hertogenbosch. The handle ring is struck by the Dutch silver dagger, used between 1814 and 1953 on small items. A similar Dutch silver miniature foot stove is depicted in the book "Tall and Small, Antique Dutch Silver Miniatures by Aardewerk, item 40, this one made in 1771 in Amsterdam by Jan Bonket.

A pair of Cape silver Fiddle pattern table forks, with traditional pseudo English hallmarks, which are clear on both forks. 5 hallmarks are present (Welz mark 4 in his Cape silver book, although struck in different order), they include makers mark LB, pseudo lion passant (quite fat with "camel hump"), pseudo Georgian duty mark, pseudo 3 turreted castle town mark (copy of Edinburgh town mark), and date letter a (which is struck upside down). Lodewyk Beck worked between 1847 and 1867 from Shortmarket Street and Greenmarket Square (still a vibrant market today), he was one of 6 Cape silversmiths who used pseudo English hallmark punches.

A Coin silver American tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, made by A F Burbank in Boston, Massachusetts, made around 1853. The spoon is the usual American Fiddle pattern, quite different to English Fiddle pattern, with flat broad handle and pointed bowl. The spoon has very clear hallmarks, A.F. Burbank. and Boston, which are both well struck and very clear. This is the earlier Burbank mark, the later one is incuse, hence we believe this spoon was made early in his career. The spoon has a 3rd hallmark, a very small swan in oval punch (tiny but very clear), this is a French import mark used between 1893 and 1970, indicating legal fineness, so this spoon spent some time in France (Tardy, international Hallmarks, pg 208). The term "Coin Silver" is used for American silver flatware made before 1870 that is not Sterling, slightly lower grade at 90% silver (sterling is 92.5%), made from melted coins, prior to discovery of silver in the USA.

An interesting pair of Cape Silver Old English pattern teaspoons, by the rare maker J De Jongh. The spoons have a Continental feel, with a rounded drop and strong overhang at the end of the spoons. They are stamped with full makers mark "J.DE.JONGH" (Welz mark 43, pg 148, Cape Silver), and are also stamped with initials IFP, the initials here being individually struck, as can be seen from their irregular pattern. Welz provides no details for De Jongh, saying only it appears on silverware as though it was a makers mark. David Heller (History of Cape Silver, pg 77) refers to De Jongh as a "seldom found" maker, indirectly connected to the Lotter family (relation of Hendrik de Jongh, married to Johanna Combrink in 1795, sister to silversmith Johannes Combrink). The initials IFP are retailers marks for Johan Frederik Pollnitz, of the firm Wagner & Von Pollnitz, who retailed silver amongst other goods from Longmarket Street between 1837 and 1847 (Morrison, The silversmiths and goldsmiths of the Cape of Good Hope, ...

Two Victorian silver vinaigrettes, both very similar in shape and design, reflecting the style of the time. Both are oval in shape with a wavy rim, concave sides, both have engine turned engraving, and both have vacant cartouche (for initials or family crest). Both also have an ornate floral grille, and both are gilded. Both also have clear hallmarks on both base and lid, the grille on the Smith example is also hallmarked. The first, by Edward Smith 1845, has an attractive snake shaped thumb piece, the base design is distinctly different from the cover design. The second still has its original sponge. Edward Smith was a specialist boxmaker, he worked between 1827 and 1865. James Cronin and Sarah & George Wheeler worked between 1846 and 1852 from St Pauls Square, Birmingham.

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.

An interesting British Arts & Crafts medallion, which could be worn as a pendant. The pendant has the Manchester Coat of Arms, complete with sailing ship and globe signifying Manchester's world trade, with bees on the globe signifying the industrial revolution. The supporters include an antelope and lion, and the motto "Concilio et Labore", translated "By Wisdom and Effort". The medallion also has Arts and Crafts symbols, including hammer & anvil, paintboard and brush, and hammer & wheel. The back is engraved "Awarded to Mabel Maynard for Miniature Painting, Manchester April 1901". The hallmarks are clear, and the loop is also hallmarked.

An interesting Sampson Mordan antique silver bowl, with a Victorian silver half crown dated 1900 set into the bowl. The bowl is engraved "God Save The Queen, The Last Coinage of the Nineteenth Century". The bowl is good quality, the coin is very fine, protected by the rim on the base. The hallmarks are excellent, including Sampson Mordan makers mark. The bowl is also stamped "copyright" in small letters below the coin. Sampson Mordan are well known for their collectable novelty silver.

An antique Danish silver christening spoon, this is a 19th century replica of a 16th century spoon, originally used for Royal coronations. This is a beautiful spoon, extremely good quality, it has a lovely feel. The circular bowl is engraved in traditional style, the gilded front with Madonna holding 2 babies, one with a crown, and surrounded by traditional religious inscription in ancient Scandinavian (translation assistance would be most welcome!). The back of the bowl is engraved with St Olaf of Norway, holding battleaxe and orb, standing on a lion with crowned head, also surrounded by inscription. The cast handle of the spoon is very decorative, a head above a warrior with sword, above traditional implements (thor hammer, hand). The back of the handle has an attractive celtic design. The hallmarks include makers mark A.M (possible Anton Michelson?), the Copenhagen town mark (3 towers), date letter for 1868, and assay masters mark SG for Simon Groth, who worked between 1863 and 1904. Wayne Bednersh, author...

A very rare set of 4 Palm pattern soup spoons, made by George Adams of Chawner & Co, who were the most important mid 19th century firm of spoon makers (Pickford, Jacksons Hallmarks, pg 56). The spoons are exceptional quality and weight, just under 100 grammes each, they are a joy to hold. The spoons are engraved with the original owners initials, "JK & CK". The Palm pattern is described as "very rare, produced by Chawner & Co, in whose pattern book it appears" by Pickford in his book "Silver Flatware, pg 148". The book also has a photo of a Palm pattern fork and spoon from the V&A museum. The spoons are beautifully made, with good detail on the palm leaves. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are extremely clear, marked on the bowl to prevent damage to the pattern. Two interesting journeymans marks are also present, 3 dots and K, probably the craftsmen involved in making the spoons. A Palm pattern tablespoon sold as lot 73, Finial postal auction January 2012. Please note we also have a Palm pattern butter knife, S1...

A Chinese jade pendant with 14 carat gold clasp and ring. The jade is light green, with some natural dark green patches. The pendant is kidney shaped, and both sides have a carved tree. The gold ring is hallmarked "14 K, 585" indicating 14 carat gold, which is 58.5% pure. 14 Carat gold is often used for jewellery. According to Chinese tradition, sons are thought fortunate, and in celebration male progeny is often presented with a piece of jade.

A lovely Emerald and God Neckpiece, with 21 Brazilian emeralds set in a decorative 12 carat gold necklace. The emeralds have an average size of 0.365 ct, the clarity is good, cut good and colour very slightly blueish green. The neck piece was appraised in 2010 by a registered Gemologist Appraiser (ISG) and member of the Jewellery Council of South Africa, the replacement value then was R 27 187 (South African Rands, approximately US $ 3200). The original certificate accompanies this purchase. Note - This necklace was revalued in May 2017 by Gemlab (www.gemlab.co.za), certifying 7.81 carats of oval mixed good colour heavily included emeralds, with 10.44 grams of 14 carat gold, replacement value R 93100, this certificate is included.

A rare Victorian silver postal scale, in full working order. The scale is intended for measuring postal items, so that the correct postage could be applied. This scale would have been used in a wealthy household, not a Post Office. The front is engraved "Postal Scale" on top, on the side "Postal Union Rates 2 1/2 d for each 1/2 ounce." To the left is engraved "English Rates" above measuring scale from 1d - 4d in 1/2 increments. To the right are 2 measures, 1 marked "LB" for pounds (scale 0 to 1 LB), to the right "OZ" for ounces measuring from 1-16. The engraving is exquisite, this is a lovely item. The base is rectangular with a Chippendale rim. The scale also has a knob (for adjusting scale) behind the pan, and a silver screw for opening the scale. The side of the scale is fully hallmarked, a registration number RD 308820, is also present. The top pan is also hallmarked, these are worn from polishing. Levi & Salaman were established in 1870, they were known for their high quality silver novelties...

An unusual set of Scottish Silver Hanoverian tablespoons, made in Victorian times. These spoons are lovely spoons, very good quality and weight, a pleasure to use. The spoons have a double drop, are bottom marked and have script initials "AW" engraved on the back of the spoons, in 18th century style. The spoons were probably made to order, as they are replicas of an earlier style. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are excellent, including makers mark "G&MC" for George and Michael Crichton, who worked between 1864 and 1876.

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).

An interesting antique Dutch silver miniature scale, with 2 circular weighing pans mounted on 4 supports, resting on a table with a drawer with handle. Four weights of different sizes are also present, along with 2 bars, we assume lifters to move the weights. The table is rectangular, on 4 feet with a skirt, and is decorated with S shaped scrolls. The scale is 835 grade silver, typical of continental silver (and slightly lower grade than 925 sterling silver). The scale contains a number of interesting hallmarks, but as they are quite small they are difficult to decipher. The first mark is ZII, which is the Netherlands purity mark for 835 grade silver, (Tardy, International Hallmarks, pg 327). The second mark is Ad81 in a rectangular punch, this is the makers mark for Jacobus van Dam, who worked in Schoonhoven between 1849 and 1888. The 3rd mark is 835 in an oval punch (silver purity mark), the 4th mark is tiny and difficult to read, looks like "42NO". Some additional marks are present, these are indistinct, c...

A lovely example of an American souvenir spoon, which were very popular at the turn of the 20th century, and one of the finest we have encountered. The spoon depicts a Canadian Indian, complete with bow and arrows, tomahawk, feather headdress, Canada ribbon, and delightfully detailed moccasins. This is a rare spoon, the Indian here is not depicted in "Collectible Souvenir Spoons", the authority on souvenir spoons, by Wayne Bednersh. The spoon bowl depicts Brandon College, Brandon, Manitoba, and the Indian figure is holding the enamelled Royal Coat of Arms of the UK, with quarters of England, Scotland and Ireland, under the Royal Crown. This was used in Canada prior to the confederation in 1867, so it is a little mysterious why a Canadian spoon from 1900 is still using these arms. Brandon College was founded in 1899 as a Baptist institution, and was completed in 1901, this spoon would have commemorated the opening. Over 200 students of Brandon College fought during WWI, 2 were awarded the Victoria Cross. Brand...

A lovely pair of decorative Hanau silver Christening (or anointing) spoons, with an Apostle carrying a baby standing on a winged cherub's head. The stems are twisted, the base decorated with a peacock eating fruit, above a face. The back of the bowls are richly decorated with a diamond pattern and scrolling foliage, and the spoons have a rat tail. The spoons are cast, and as such are quite solid, with a pleasing weight. As is usual with Hanau silver, they are replica's of fine 17th century German silver. The spoons, which have no Hanau hallmarks, were imported into Britian in 1889 by David Bridge of the firm John Smith & Co, as can be seen by makers mark D.B and capital F (hallmark for foreign silver, used between 1867 and 1903). The spoons also have date letter O for 1889. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear. John Smith & Co. imported a great deal of decorative silver into Britian, much of which was of German origin, presumably Hanau (Culme, Gold and silversmiths).

A charming Cape silver snuffbox, retangular in form, and quite small in size. It is decorated with typically Cape engraving, generally a crude series of lines and dots. The cover is quite unusual, having a central shield cartouche (engraved "MMM Le R 1851") surrounded by 2 Scottish thistles - this design is very rare on Cape silver. The surname "Le R" (possibly Le Roux?) is probably French Huguenot in origin, the Scottish thistles are a mystery. The sides of the box have a zig-zag design, the base a blank rectangular design. The interior is gilded, and the base of the interior has an engraved sunburst design. The hallmarks are on the rim of the lid, and consist of makers initials JJV surrounded by 2 acorn devices (Welz mark 159). They are quite small but clear and well struck, but given the location difficult to see. JJ Vos was one of the last 2 surviving Cape Silversmiths, he worked between 1841 and 1882 (Welz).

A Victorian silver commemorative trowel with ivory handle, of very good quality, with presentation inscription surrounded by scrolling foliage and flowers. The inscription reads "To commemorate the laying of the first stone of the New University of Cape Town by Mrs William Hawke, 28th February 1925". William Hawke of Hawke and McKinley was the architect responsible for the Groote Schuur campus of UCT, a magnificent set of buildings still in use today. UCT is ranked today as one of South Africa's leading universities. The hallmarks are very clear. Atkin Brothers was in business from 1853 to 1958, when they were taken over by CJ Vander Ltd. William Hawke and his partner W McKinley were trained and worked in the UK, Hawke worked in the London Admirality Office of Works, where he assisted with the design of the Simonstown sanatorium (now Naval Signal School). They had a flair for prize winning designs, and in 1905 they won first premium for the Cape of Good Hope University buildings (later UCT). They moved to Ca...