A Chinese Export silver butter knife in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with no engraving or initials. The knife is extremely good quality, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era is a feat that, as ...
An interesting and unusual pair of Old English Bead pattern tablespoons, very early for this pattern, and with large bead which was previously thought to be a 19th century pattern. The spoons are a very pleasing quality, with good patina, clearly made by a master craftsman. The spoons have original owners engraved initials B / I-A, and the spoons are bottom marked, the hallmarks have some wear and makers mark is squashed, but still clearly legible to 1776 and makers mark I*M for Jacob Marsh (Grimwade marks 1517 and 3658). Pickford (Silver Flatware page 98) says "Old English Bead's true period of style was during the 1780's, although it is found later", so these spoons are early for this pattern. He further says "two types of bead will be found, fine bead which dates from the 18th century and large bead which dates from the 19th century". These examples are clearly large bead, so we propose they are rare and early examples of bead pattern, before it migrated to fine bead in the 1780's. Jacob Marsh worked bet...
A sterling silver porringer, this is a replica of a Carolean porringer dateing back to Charles II. The porringer is beautifully made, a very pleasing quality. It is planished (spot hammered), so probably hand made. The porringer is embossed with acanthus leaves and the 2 scroll handles are decorated with dolphin heads. The hallmarks are clear. Samuel Walton Smith worked between 1886 and 1926, the partners included John Bodman Carrington of Carrington & Co. This was probably intended as a Christening gift, but has never been engraved.
A Cape silver konfyt (preserve) fork in the Old English pattern, with 4 tines. The fork is good quality and is in excellent condition, with clear hallmarks. The fork has original owners engraved initials CB. The hallmarks consist of makers mark IC in between 2 castle devices (Welz mark 35, Cape Silver and Silversmiths). Johannes Combrink was born in the Cape in 1781, he married Aurelia Lotter in 1807 and died in 1853. He worked from Dorp Street.
A rare solid silver version of the Voortrekker Aandenking (memorial) 1838 - 1938 bowl, in 835 grade silver. The circular bowl with foot is well modeled, with ox wagons on trek, with Boer (farmer) on horse, cattle in the foreground and mountains in the background, framed by trees. The other image is of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, and in between are two lit candles in a candlestick, surrounded by chains, with Zulu shields above and ox horns below. One candle reads "VOORTREKKER AANDENKING", the other "1838 - 1938". This design was done by the famous South African artist JH Pierneef (1886-1957), probably South Africa's greatest landscape artist. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark V over moon for Zilverfabriek Voorschoten, and 835 indicating the grade of silver (835/1000). Zilverfabriek Voorschoten is a brand name of Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today, they moved from Utrecht to Voorschoten in 1858. The Voortrekker Aandenking bowls were made in a v...
A pair of sterling silver and jasper cufflinks, made by Kurt Jobst in Johannesburg circa 1950. The cufflinks are circular, with raised polished jasper insert, the sterling silver connectors are S shaped, and the connecting piece is square. Both the circular cufflinks and square connectors are clearly hallmarked, with JOBST, .925 and the circular cufflinks also have his characteristic KJ unicorn mark. Jasper is an opaque chalcedony, red in colour, it polishes well so is often used as a gemstone in jewellery. 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 cr...
A rare early Cape Silver three pronged fork, in the Hanoverian pattern. The fork is a lovely shape, long and elegant, with long tines. The fork has makers mark DHS, with some wear but clearly visible, along with a bunch of grapes with vine leaves in a circular punch (mark 109 in Cape Silver by Welz). This fork also has a small Dutch ZII hallmark, for 835 purity, indicating the spoon was imported into the Netherlands at some stage. The fork also has a small owners cross hatch scratch mark next to the makers mark. Three pronged forks were common in the early 18th century, they were gradually replaced by 4 prongs after 1760, perhaps a little later in the colonies, but we believe this dates to the early part of Schmidt's career. Schmidt arrived in the Cape from Strelitz, Germany, as a soldier in 1768. He worked as a sword cutler for the Dutch East India Company, and became a burgher and silversmith in 1779. He died in 1811 (Cape Silver by Welz, pg 139). He is described by David Heller (in his book History of Cape...
A Cape silver konfyt fork in the Fiddle pattern, with 3 tines. The fork is quite colonial in character, the tines have slightly different thicknesses, overall a little crude but clearly hand made. The fork has makers mark DBD between 2 five pointed stars (Welz mark 44), this is clearly struck with slight wear along the top. Dominique Baudouin Du Moulin worked between 1818 and 1833, he arrived in the Cape from Brabant (now Belgium) and married the sister of Cape silversmith Johannes Hendricus Beyleveld (Cape Silversmiths by Welz, page 131.). His work is only found occasionally.
A rare early Cape Silver spoon, in the Hanoverian pattern. The spoon is a lovely shape, long and elegant. The spoon has makers mark DHS, with some wear but clearly visible, along with a bunch of grapes with vine leaves in a circular punch (mark 109 in Cape Silver by Welz). The spoon also has a small Dutch ZII hallmark, for 835 purity, indicating the spoon was imported into the Netherlands at some stage. The spoon also has a small owners cross hatch scratch mark next to the makers mark. Schmidt arrived in the Cape from Strelitz, Germany, as a soldier in 1768. He worked as a sword cutler for the Dutch East India Company, and became a burgher and silversmith in 1779. He died in 1811 (Cape Silver by Welz, pg 139). He is described by David Heller (in his book History of Cape Silver) as the "greatest Cape silversmith". Heller goes so far to describe Schmidt as a "master craftsman, whose work can be compared to Paul Storr" (History of Cape Silver, pg 79). Note - we have two matching forks, S 11124 and S11125.
A fabulous sterling silver basting spoon (gravy or serving spoon) in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The basting spoon is a substantial size and weight, the quality is excellent. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.
An extremely rare Cape silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle Thread without Shoulders pattern, to our knowledge Cape silver in this pattern is unknown, we have not encountered it before and cannot find an example in any of the known literature. The spoon is double struck (pattern on both sides), and has a single thread, but notably without the usual shoulder where the bowl joins the handle. The spoon also has a long drop, slightly different from it's matching partner, showing this spoon was hand made. The spoon is lovely quality, a pleasing weight, and in excellent condition. The hallmarks are excellent, a variant of mark 138 in Welz, Castle, date letter C, and Georgian duty mark, with makers mark LT, all well struck. We have a matching spoon, S 11120.
An extremely rare Cape silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle Thread without Shoulders pattern, to our knowledge Cape silver in this pattern is unknown, we have not encountered it before and cannot find an example in any of the known literature. The spoon is double struck (pattern on both sides), and has a single thread, but notably without the usual shoulder where the bowl joins the handle. The spoon also has a long drop, with an unusual curve, showing this spoon was hand made. The spoon is lovely quality, a pleasing weight, and in excellent condition. The hallmarks are excellent, a variant of mark 138 in Welz, Castle, date letter C, and Georgian duty mark, with makers mark LT, all well struck. We have a matching spoon, S 11122.
A Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers antique silver spoon, with the Company armorial as a cast silver finial. The spoon is a good weight and quality, as expected from Elkington, it also has a rat-tail bowl. The cast finial has lovely detail, the back has a vacant shield cartouche intended for engraved initials. The company is one of the Livery companies of the city of London, ranked 41st in order of precedence, it was founded in 1375 and received Royal Charter in 1571. The company motto, "Join Loyalty & Liberty" was created by past Master John Wilkes in 1774, John Wilkes is remembered as the founder of "Freedom of the Press", his statue is in Fetter Lane. He was also Lord Mayor of London, his "I love liberty" slogan on silver spoon picture-backs are highly collectible. The armorial has 2 pairs of compasses over a globe, under 2 roses and a scallop shell, with a demi savage holding a spear, supported by 2 naked boys, one holding a female figure, the other a square - all this detail is clearly visible. T...
A pair of Arts and Crafts antique silver serving spoons, with raised shell finial and planished (hand hammered) bowls, both the front and the back of the bowls. These are good quality, a pleasing weight, and a useful size for use. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, and include a registration number, indicating Atkin Brothers protected the design.
A rare early Cape Silver three pronged fork, in the Hanoverian pattern. The fork is a lovely shape, long and elegant, with long tines. The fork has makers mark DHS, with some wear but clearly visible, along with a bunch of grapes with vine leaves in a circular punch (mark 109 in Cape Silver by Welz). The fork also has a small owners cross hatch scratch mark next to the makers mark. Three pronged forks were common in the early 18th century, they were gradually replaced by 4 prongs after 1760, perhaps a little later in the colonies, but we believe this dates to the early part of Schmidt's career. Schmidt arrived in the Cape from Strelitz, Germany, as a soldier in 1768. He worked as a sword cutler for the Dutch East India Company, and became a burgher and silversmith in 1779. He died in 1811 (Cape Silver by Welz, pg 139). He is described by David Heller (in his book History of Cape Silver) as the "greatest Cape silversmith". Heller goes so far to describe Schmidt as a "master craftsman, whose work can be compare...
An interesting Swiss Silver preserve set, consisting of a matching fork and slotted spoon in their original box. They are 800 grade silver, and both the spoon bowl and fork (excluding handle) are gilded, to protect the silver from corrosive salt. The matching handles are a beaded pattern, with the pattern on the back different from the pattern on the front. The spoon has seven slots in an attractive pattern, the fork has 4 tines. Both items are clearly hallmarked with the Jezler makers mark and 800 standard mark. The original box has a retailers label, which reads "Otto Leuenberger, Uhren & Bijoutier, Langnau (Bern) - Brugg (Aargau)".
An Edwardian silver pocket stamp case, with a spring loaded interior for holding stamps in place. The case is rectangular, with an engine turned design with vacant circular cartouche for initials or family crest, and ring attachment for attachment to an Albert chain. The interior is gilded, the stamp compartment is also engine turned. The case, lid and stamp compartment are all hallmarked. Saunders & Shepherd are a well known firm, first established in 1869 by Cornelius Saunders and Frank Shepherd.
A pair of Canadian silver tableforks in the Fiddle pattern, with original owners script initials EB engraved on the back of the forks. The hallmarks on both forks are clear, and include pseudo lion passant (with a very thin body), pseudo oval Georgian duty mark, and makers mark PB for Peter Bohle. The lion passant is struck upside down on both forks, indicating the striking of marks was rather haphazard. Peter Bohle (1786 -1865) was the son of silversmith David Bohle, both his brothers (David & Francis) were also silversmiths. Peter was apprenticed to leading Canadian silversmith Robert Cruikshank for 7 years between 1800 and 1807, but spent his career working in Montreal, Quebec. He is known to have manufactured for the trade (sold to Savage & Lyman), he also partnered with Robert Hendery between 1853 and 1856 (Canadian Silversmiths 1700-1900, John Langdon, page 50). The family were German immigrants from Hanau (known for its silver industry).
A rare Cape silver mustard spoon, in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and excellent hallmarks. This is a lovely, well made spoon, with a marked angle at the drop, and pleasing proportions. The hallmarks include makers mark JT in damaged punch (Welz mark 123), and 4 pseudo marks (Georgian duty, lion passant, date letter a and tree mark). Heller does record Cape made salt and mustard spoons, and depicts 6 salt spoons in his book "History of Cape Silver" (pg 202, plate 67). Cape mustard spoons appear to be be much rarer than salt spoons, this is the only known example we have encountered. Note: We have now acquired an additional 3 Cape silver mustard spoons by John Townsend, see S 1971 (pair) and S 11082, which brings the total of known Cape silver mustard spoons to 4, all by Townsend.
