Pair of Old English serving spoons of good gauge, with a nice feel.They are perfect for use as heavy duty serving spoons. They have an interesting crest of a tulip in front of 2 crossed crosses, each cross arm bearing another cross. Hallmarks very clear.

A set of 4 bottom marked Scottish Georgian silver tablespoons in the Old English pattern, made in Edinburgh in 1775 by Patrick Robertson. The spoons are all engraved with original owners initials DJ. The spoons are a pleasing quality and in good condition, with strong bowl tips, they have not seen much use. The spoons have a long drop with engraved ridge. The spoons are all bottom marked, the makers mark PR is very clear on 3 spoons and less clear on the 4th but still visible. As is often the case with bottom marked spoons, the town mark, thistle and date letter are squashed, but still visible on one of the spoons.

A rare Irish provincial silver toddy ladle made in Cork, but hallmarked in Dublin. The ladle is circular with a lip for pouring, and has a whale bone handle. The ladle is beautifully decorated, with embossed flowers, leaves and scrolls, on a stippled background. The pouring lip is decorated with a "sunburst" collar. The decoration is typical of the Irish silver of the 1820 period, with floral repousse (embossing) on a background stippled to a matt finish (Bennett, Collecting Irish Silver, pg 79). The whalebone handle is 4 sided, and has an unusual knop end, the circular knob set above silver banded decoration. The hallmarks are all very clear, including makers mark PG in oval outline (Cork mark no. 80 in Bennett). The Dublin Goldsmiths company passed an act in 1807 requiring the Kings head to be stamped on all plate made in Ireland. As this could only be done in Dublin, it forced the provincial goldsmiths to start sending silver to Dublin for hallmarking. Garde, who worked in Cork between 1812 and 1845, appe...

A collectable castle-top vinaigrette depicting Kenilworth castle, by the famous maker Nathaniel Mills. The pierced grill has scrolling foliage, the base is engine turned and engraved "Ernest". The hallmarks are clear, on both lid and base. We previously incorrectly identified this castle as Warwick castle.

Outstanding example of Dutch Art Deco silver, by a highly regarded silversmith and designer Harm Ellens, who executed designs for Hooykaas in the twenties (source Krekel-Aalberse, Art Nouveau and Art Deco Silver). The teapot, cream jug and lidded sugar basin have ebonised wooden handles and finials, in 833 silver. All 3 pieces are a good weight, and pleasing to use. All 3 pieces are fully hallmarked with clear hallmarks, including the teapot and sugarbowl lids. The hallmarks include makers mark HH, Lion Passant for 833 standard silver, (with keymark indicating it was made for export), Perseus duty mark with mint mark M on helmet, indicating Schoonhoven assay office, date letter M for 1922 (source Tardy, International hallmarks). The base of each also has the hallmark M2 and a scratched number 42299.

A rare surviving set of 6 Georgian silver table knives, in the Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, with silver as opposed to steel blades. The knives are in remarkable condition and are suitable for use. The knives have an engraved family crest, an eagle sable preying on a partridge, under an Earl's crown, with 5 pearls. This is the family crest of the Earls of Onslow, the first Earl George Onslow died in 1814 so we assume these knives were made for Thomas Onslow, when he became the 2nd Earl Onslow. Thomas Onslow was born in 1754, he was Member of Parliament for Rye and Guildford. He was an associate of the Prince of Wales (later King George IV), and guarded the door when the Prince secretly married Mrs Fitzherbert (source Wikipedia). The hallmarks are clear on all 6 knives, both on the silver blades and on the handles, including makers mark MB for Moses Brent. Moses Brent was freed in 1770 as a haft-maker, he worked until 1817. Grimwade, in his book London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, states "Brent had a virtual monop...

A rare Cape Silver lemoen lepel (orange spoon) and matching konfyt fork (preserve), no sets like this one are recorded in the Cape silver reference books, but we have previously sold a similar set (S1812). Neither the spoon nor fork are hallmarked, but the style and decoration of them leave no doubt they are Cape in origin. The spoon is the traditional elegant lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, rounded drop, and triangular terminal. The matching fork has 4 tines, both feature matching traditional Cape prick engraving with a 8 pointed star. Both are punched with initials DM, 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). Heller, in his book History of Cape Silver, describes orange spoons as "exquisite". Mo...

A fabulous Belle Epoque French silver 950 standard flatware set for 6, in the beautiful Louis XV pattern, by renowned Parisian silversmith Emile Puiforcat. This 12 piece luncheon or dessert set has 6 spoons and forks, finely decorated on both sides with scrolls and foliage, the pattern also extends around the top of the bowls, which is quite unusual. Louis XV is an early Puiforcat pattern, long out of production, so rarely seen today. The spoons and forks are lovely quality, the forks have long elegant tines, and are in excellent condition, with no monogrammes. Two hallmarks are present, makers mark EP in diamond lozenge, with penknife (un canif) between the letters, and French Minerve 1st Standard mark, with 1 next to forehead, indicating 950 purity (so higher purity than sterling 925). 4 Spoons and 4 forks have both marks clearly struck, 2 spoons and 2 forks have no hallmarks. Emile Puiforcat established his business in 1857 at 18 Rue Chapon, it still exists today and is known as of of the leading French si...

A rare and attractive Cape silver fish slice with an engraved fish on the blade between a row of leaves. The blade is pierced by hand and the engraving is typically Cape including the straight and wavy dotted decoration around the edge. The blade is quite large and oval in shape, and the Fiddle pattern handle is quite short. The join between handle and blade is visible, but is clearly original as the decoration over-rides the join. The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark IC between 2 shell devices (Welz mark 26), all well struck. Cape silver fish slices are quite rare, and ones with an engraved fish even rarer. Welz (Cape Silver) mentions that Twentyman was the only Cape silversmith who added the engraved fish (now clearly incorrect), one by Twentyman is pictured in Heller (A History of Cape Silver, pg 168, plate 74). The engraved fish on the Twentyman slice is very similar in style and design to this one, we hypothesize it was engraved by the same engraver.

A magnificent set of 13 gilded silver Italian apostle spoons, featuring the 12 apostles on the smaller spoons and the "Master" on the larger spoon - all in their original box. They are extremely good quality and well made, the cast finials have very fine detail. The stems are twisted with a beaded design, and a winged female angel joins the bowls to the stems. Each apostle is named on the back of the finial in Italian - (S. Pilip, Giag, Paol, Luca, Mat, Bart, Piet, And, Tom, Mar, Giov, Sim). The spoon bowls are all made of silver coins (Piastra's) from the Papal States (which included most of central Italy in the 18th century) dated between 1676 and 1802. The coins have the Papal Arms for the following Popes: Innocento XI (1676-1689), Alessandro XIII (1689-1691), Innocento XII (1691-1700), Clement XI (1700-1721), Clement XII (1730-1740), Clement XIV (1769-1774), Pius VI (1775-1799) and Pius VII (1800-1823). Two of the coins, dated 1691, are "Sede Vacante" - translated "The Seat is Empty", meaning they were m...

Rare Cape Silver Christening mug, by the highly regarded Cape Silversmith John Townsend. The body is plain and cylindrical, the handle has a lovely leaf cap, and the mug is of good gauge. David Heller, author of "Cape Silver", described Townsend as the "most versatile" of all the English silversmiths who worked at the Cape. The hallmarks are clear, being makers mark and pseudo English hallmarks which are slightly worn (duty mark, date letter a, leopards head and date letter J) -(see Welz, Cape Silver, pg 122).

A beautiful Grenadier Guards Diamond, Pearl and 14 Carat gold sweetheart brooch, perfectly preserved in it's original Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Regent Street box. The brooch features the Grenadier Guard's flaming grenade, the flames portion contains 25 small diamonds set in 14 carat gold, the body of the grenade is a natural pearl, 6 mm in diameter, set in a gold striated bowl. The grenade is mounted on a gold bar brooch, with gold pin and gold safety roller catch, this is a good quality sweetheart brooch, and would have been expensive when new. No hallmarks are present, but the brooch has tested as 14 carat gold. The original box is also beautiful, leather with gold detail, the interior silk and velvet, it reads "By Appointment to H. M. The King, The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd, 112 Regent St. London W". The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co became Limited in 1898, they were amalgamated into Garrard's, The Crown Jeweller's, in 1952. We have tentatively dated this brooch to World War II, but it could be...

A Georgian Irish silver sugar bowl, made by Charles Townsend in Dublin around 1780. The bowl is circular with a fluted design and a flat fold over gadrooned rim, supported by three cast silver shell knuckle hoof feet, we love these feet. The base of the bowl is engraved with original owners initials P over M M, this is alongside the hallmarks. The bowl is clearly hallmarked with the Irish Hibernia and Crowned Harp, next to makers mark CT for Charles Townsend, who worked in Dublin between 1773 and 1790. This is a large bowl, more suitable today for bon-bons, it will hold a lot of sugar! The size and design is typical of the period for Irish silver, a number of other examples have survived. A similar shaped bowl but with different design, but with identical feet, now in the National Museum of Ireland. can be seen in a colour photograph in the book "Collecting Irish Silver" by Douglas Bennett (a book we highly recommend), page 63 and 65. The Metropolitan Museum also has a very similar fluted bowl, also by Charl...

A delightfully decorative chamberstick, realistically modelled as a flower bud, stem and leaves, one of the finest chambersticks we have seen. The flower stem forms the ring grip, and the bud holds the candle, and the pan is octagonal. It is beautifully made and decorated, and is very good quality - truly the work of master craftsmen. Chambersticks were traditionally used to light your way to bed at night. The Angell's are described by Pickford as "very fine 19th century family of goldsmiths" (Jackson's Hallmarks). The hallmarks are clear, and include the duty mark of William IV (even though Victoria was already on the throne), indicating this piece was made between 29 May and 20 June 1837. Both the pan and one of the leaves are hallmarked, even the silver wingnut underneath is hallmarked. The makers mark is poorly struck and only partially visible, but sufficient can be seen to leave no doubt as to the makers identification.

A large silver lighthouse caster, retailed by James Robinson of Park Avenue, New York. The caster is the traditional lighthouse shape, a design that originated in the late 17th century. This is a replica of an earlier style, but extremely good quality and weight. It has attractive stylised cross and flower piercing, and scrolling cut card decoration on both the base and top (cut card decoration is an extra silver soldered plate, which adds weight and a pleasing decoration, a technique pioneered by the Huguenots circa 1700). The caster has the traditional bayonet locking mechanism, which securely holds the 2 pieces together. Both base and top have a gadrooned rim, which aids grip and also adds a nice decorative touch. The base is circular and spreading, which has preserved the hallmarks underneath. The caster also has a baluster finial, and a rib on the main body which also aids grip. In addition to the London hallmarks for 1959, the caster is stamped "James Robinson INC New York, Made in England". James Robin...

Magnificent enamel silver cigarette case, depicting a Boston Terrier, (brindle with white muzzle) of very good quality. The detail of the enamel is extremely good. The box is engine turned, and has a gilt interior. Both sides of the box are hallmarked with clear marks. John Thompson & Sons, which was formed in the 1860's, still trades as a Jewellers at 20 Rosebury Ave, London.

A set of 4 Scottish silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoons, made in Edinburgh in 1773 by William & John Taylor. The spoons have the Hanoverian central ridge, and have double drops on the back of the bowls. The spoons are engraved with an interesting family crest of a hand holding an Imperial Crown, below motto "Corde et Animo", translated "With heart and soul", this is the crest and motto of the Scottish Clayhills-Henderson family. The engraving is on the back of all 4 spoons, as is usual for the period, when flatware was placed on the table facing down. The engraving has some wear, but still clearly visible on all 4 spoons. All 4 spoons are bottom marked, and have 3 clear hallmarks - Edinburgh castle, Scottish thistle and date letter gothic T for 1773. The spoons also have a poorly struck makers mark, only partially visible on 1 spoon, just enough to see it is WT over JT for William & John Taylor (Jackson page 549). William Taylor worked from 1753, and produced good quality silver, we assume he was joined b...

A lovely set of 5 18th century Dutch silver Hanoverian pattern 3 pronged forks, with a matching 6th fork made slightly later by another maker, we assume to replace a loss shortly after they were made. The forks are quite plain and elegant, with turn down ends, and a prominent drop and pip, the "Amsterdam Lofje", characteristic of spoons and forks from Amsterdam. The forks have no engraving or monograms. All the forks have makers mark HK in script for Hendrik Kamerlingh II, who worked between 1730 and 1776, and Amsterdam town mark (crown above 3 crosses). The 6th fork has makers mark HO for Hendrik Overhulsman, who worked between 1790 and 1811, also with Amsterdam town mark. All 6 makers and town marks are slightly squashed, this is usual on 18th century bottom marked flatware as the spoon maker would have re-hammered the stems after return from the assay office, as the stem would bulge when the marks were struck. All 6 forks have an additional hallmark, V in shield under a crown, this is a Dutch tax mark used...

A ceremonial Indian Colonial Victorian silver trowel, used to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of a L.M.S (London Missionary Society) church in India. The trowel is the traditional shape but quite small and dainty, it has a turned wooden handle, and a rounded blade. The handle has a silver band around the handle where it joins the silver blade, this has the same decoration as the blade. The band and top of the trowel is engraved with scrolling flowers, in addition the top of the blade has been finely prick engraved with a flowing pattern (each prick is triangular), probably added by a local craftsman. The trowel has no hallmarks at all. The back of the trowel is engraved "WITH THIS TROWEL A. SPICER ESQ LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE L.M.S. CHURCH AT SUNKE RYDROOG SALEM S. INDIA ON THE 25 th NOVr 1882". As you can see from the photographs, the engraving is very quaint, with uneven sized letters, and words flowing into one another, we assume it was done by a local silversmith who did not speak E...

Two rare Georg Jensen sterling silver items designed by Count Sigvard Bernadotte for Georg Jensen in the 1930's. The first is a cigarette cup, design number 825A, and the second is a candy dish, design number 825 (both items carry the design number on the base). Both have the same simple but elegant design, and rest on the same arch patterned foot. Both items are hallmarked "Georg Jensen, Denmark Sterling, 925S", and both have the designers signature "Sigvard" along with the pattern number described above. Count Sigvard Bernadotte, often referred to as "The Design Prince of Sweden", lived between 1907 and 2002. He was the son of King Gustav VI of Sweden, Great Grandson of Queen Victoria, and Uncle to Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. Originally Prince Sigvard, he lost his title when he married a commoner. He spent his career as a designer, not only in silver but ceramics, glass, plastics, furniture and even logos. He co-founded the Swedish Society of Industrial Designers (SVID), and his designs can be found in ma...