A Canadian Coin silver tablespoon pair in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initial H. The spoons have excellent hallmarks, comprising of makers mark IM, NB for New Brunswick, and pseudo hallmarks lion passant, anchor and Georgian duty mark bust (this last one sideways). Canadian Maritime silversmiths of the early 19th century favoured imitation hallmarks, dictated by competition from imported English silver. St John silversmiths adopted the NB hallmark for New Brunswick, following their colleagues in Halifax (Langdon, pg 22). John Munro was born in 1791, and freed in 1813, he took over his father's shop in 1819. His premises were destroyed twice by fire, first in 1837 and again in 1874. He used a number of different pseudo marks, and also used IM and JM as makers marks (Donald Mackay, Silversmiths and Related Craftsmen of the Atlantic Provinces, page 107). Note - we earlier attributed this makers mark to James Melick, see details below, based on the book "Canadian Silversmiths 1700-1900, published 1966, pag...

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". 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 variety of materials, including porcelain, brass and silver plate, the solid silver variant is quite rare. Another example can be see...

A Cape silver konfyt fork, in the Old English pattern with feather edge decoration and 3 tines, dating it around 1790 to 1800. The fork is struck with a makers mark only, i:V:G in an unusual shaped punch, which moulds around the dotted i. This mark is well struck, and is clearly different from the I:VG mark depicted in Cape Silver by Welz (mark 170, pg 158), the key differences being the shaped punch above i and the second : between the V and G. Welz describes this maker as unknown, but Heller (History of Cape Silver Vol I, pg 163) lists this maker as Johann Voigt? Both authors depict a different IVG punch from this one, with an additional fish hallmark (see our tablespoon S 1571 by the same maker to see the different punch and fish hallmark). Overall we agree with Welz and are not convinced by the attribution to Voigt, it seems far more likely to belong to a "van G" maker (for example van Graan, a known Cape name). Overall an interesting hallmark that requires further research. Note - a matching konfyt fork ...

A rare Hanoverian pattern 3 prong Cape silver Konfyt (preserve) fork, by Gerhardus Lotter, this fork has loads of character, we really like it. The fork has a pronounced Hanoverian rib on the front, and original engraved initials PM on the back (18th century flatware was engraved on the back, when they were placed tines down on the table). The fork also has an unusual V shaped drop, more Continental in style than English. The fork is hallmarked twice with makers mark GL (Welz mark 70), the punch is quite crude, the G looks more like a C, possibly worn. Gerhardus Lotter, son of Johannes Casparus Lotter, was part of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. He was born in 1764 and died in 1824, Welz records him working between 1810 and 1824 (Cape Silver, pg 135). From the style of this fork we would date it circa 1785, well before English influence arrived at the Cape, so perhaps Lotter worked earlier than suggested by Welz.

A 9 carat gold Natal Cadet Bisley shooting trophy medallion for 1907. The medallion has the emblem of the Natal Carbineers, South Africa's senior regiment, used prior to 1910, with the British Royal Coat of Arms above two running antelope. The Royal arms include mottoes "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense", and "Dieu en Mon Droit" clearly readable. The medallion has clear hallmarks, including E & Co for Elkington, a leading British silversmith, and the numbers 9 and 375 representing 9 carat gold. The original loop is also gold, and is hallmarked with tiny marks. This medallion would be suitable to be worn as a pendant. Bisley is a small English village that since 1890 has been the home of the National Rifle Association championships, hence the name of the shooting medallion. The Bisley revolver has been used for target shooting since 1894.

An interesting Dutch miniature silver toy chestnut roaster, with the roasting pan suspended from the frame with 3 silver links (the links are not original). The frame is circular with a long handle and pan for holding the embers, the pan has an attractive 6 petalled flower cut in the base to allow airflow. The frame sits on 3 curved feet. The frame has one hallmark on the handle, the Dutch silver "Boars Head", which was used on miniature silver made before 1813, and brought back into trade, as an authorisation to put back into circulation (Houart, Miniature Silver Toys, pg 155). The roasting pan also has a hallmark, the letter V in rectangular shield under a crown, a mark used between 1813 and 1893 on items of foreign made silver (Voet, Nederlandze Goud & Zilverwerken, pg 46 and 61), this is a tax mark. We assume this item was made around 1813, and straddled the change in hallmarking introduced in that year - but welcome other interpretations!

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 set of 4 Scottish Provincial silver teaspoons in the Celtic pointed pattern, by James Douglas of Dundee. The spoons have original script initials BS. The hallmarks include makers mark ID for James Douglas, followed by a crowned shield and topped heart, used by Douglas (Turner, Directory of Scottish Provincial Silver, pg 62). The hallmarks are clear, especially the topped heart mark, which is in an unusually shaped punch, almost heart shaped. James Douglas worked in Dundee between 1796 and 1820.

A pair of Georgian silver wine labels, engraved "Madeira" and "Teneriffe". They are rectangular in shape, with a reeded border, and are complete with their original chains. Both are fully hallmarked, with makers mark DH for Daniel Hockly, duty mark, lion passant and date letter P for 1810. Daniel Hockly is an interesting silversmith, he started his career in London, entering a mark as a smallworker in 1810, it seems he specialised in wine labels. In 1819 he boarded a ship with his family and sailed for the Cape Colony, as part of the wave of English settlers (now known as the 1820 Settlers). He continued working as a silversmith in the Cape, he is known to have worked in Grahamstown and Graaf Reinet. His most famous work is the staff of office made for Andries Waterboer, Chief of the Griquas (Heller, Cape Silver, pg 62). It is currently in the 1820 Settlers Memorial Museum (a picture can be seen in Cape Silver by Welz, pg 94). Hockly was born in 1787, he sailed for the Cape in the ship Chapman with his wife a...

A Georgian silver baluster Christening mug, embossed with a delightful scene of a child sitting with a squirrel under trees, with a butterfly hovering overhead. Additional decoration includes a variety of flowers and scrolling foliage. The double scroll handle is capped with an acanthus leaf scroll, and the spreading base is gadrooned. The mug is engraved "EW, The Gift of his Grandmother, Mrs Walton", and the interior is gilded. Joseph Angell I was the first member of the Angell family of silversmiths, described by Pickford as "very fine 19th century family of goldsmiths" (Jacksons hallmarks). The makers mark, lion and London town mark are very clear, the date letter and duty mark are worn but still legible. 1821 is the year the London townmark leopard's head lost his crown.

A delightful Hanau silver box, the lid and sides decorated with embossed panels, including bowl of flowers, musical instruments, laurel wreath and claret jug, complete with goblet and grapes. The panels are bordered with a floral leaf design. The interior of the box is gilt. The box has a very clear set of Hanau pseudo hallmarks, which have been described as amongst the "most difficult and confusing area of silver hallmark study", as the marks were never registered and no records exist. The marks include pseudo crowned leopards head (Scheffler 538), pseudo lion passant (Scheffler 540) and pseudo dolphin (Scheffler 534). The small mark is genuine, being the Austro-Hungarian mark for imported articles between 1901 and 1921 (Tardy, pg 75). The mark, which also appears on the lid, has a capital B, indicating the city of Lienz. The Hanau silversmiths specialised in antique reproductions, generally of very good quality, so much so they often exhibited at international expositions. Gebruder Dingeldein was founded i...

Exquisite set of six cast teaspoons, in original box, with Medusa head and snake finial. The detail is excellent, these spoons are extremely high quality. The box has a retailers name - H Greaves, Hew & Corporation St, Birmingham. The hallmarks are clear, 3 spoons are dated 1900, 1 is 1901, 2 are 1902, but they are clearly a set. The spoons are a very good gauge, and are pleasing to hold. Wakely and Wheeler (James and Frank), which still exists today, has long been a highly regarded firm. It was originally founded by John Lias in 1791.

A set of 6 Irish Georgian silver Celtic Point teaspoons, with bright cut "Dublin Star" engraving. The oval shield under the star is vacant, this was originally intended for a family crest or owners initials. This engraving was popular in Ireland between 1790 and 1800, the bright cut glitters in candlelight, the Star pattern is unique to Irish silver. The 6 spoons were made by 4 different makers, and have very slight differences, but the hand engraving was done by the same hand, so we believe the set was assembled by the engraver. All 6 spoons are hallmarked with the Dublin Hibernia and Harp Crowned, no date letters are present (as is usual with Irish teaspoons of this period). 4 Makers marks can be identified, 2 J.S for John Shiels (1762-1790), one AM for Arthur Murphy, and one JB for John Bayly, the fifth mark is ?D, the last is not legible. Slight differences includethe shapes of the drops, and the bowl shapes, some move oval than others (very slight differences).

A Dutch silver ribber Hanoverian tablespoon, with interesting hallmarks. The spoon has a pronounced frontal rib, the drop is rounded with a V shaped decoration, and the spoon has original owners engraved initials Ch.I on the back of the spoon, unusually engraved upside down (not sure if this is a Dutch custom?). Six hallmarks are present, all clearly struck and very clear. They include makers mark AI around anchor in shaped punch for Anthonie Janse, who worked in Middelburg between 1787 and 1823 (sources Netherlands Responsibility Marks since 1797, mark 727, and Zeeuw Zilver). The next hallmark is date letter C for 1810, followed by Castle in oval punch, the townmark for Middelburg, only used between 1807 and 1812 during the Kingdom of Holland period (source Voet, Nederlandse Zilvermerken 1445-1951, page 16), so this is a rare townmark. The next hallmark is 10, the standard mark for silver 10 Penningen, also only used 1807-1812, Kingdom of Holland. The 5th mark is crown above co-joined TE, a tax free census m...

A very fine Maltese Basting spoon, of good gauge, with an unusually large and deep bowl. The spoon also has a deep lip and point. The hallmarks are clear, being 1855 with a small scratch through it (looks intentional?), the letter R (Maltese mark indicating Roman Fineness, 11 deniers) and the circular makers mark for Geraldo Pace (circular mark with small bird under PACE). A truly lovely spoon. Note - we previously incorrectly attributed this spoon to the Naudi family silversmiths.

A Cape silver sauce ladle in the Fiddle pattern, by Peter Clarke Daniel. The ladle has original owners engraved initials JEB, and has excellent hallmarks - makers mark PD, pseudo date letter B and pseudo duty mark with notable cusp (Welz mark 42, but struck in different order). Daniel was an Irish immigrant to the Cape, one of the original 1820 settlers. His father, who has the same name, was also a silversmith, he worked as a jeweller in Grahamstown.

Beautiful set of ornate berryspoons, originally by Hester Bateman but converted during Victorian times. The conversion must have been done by a master craftsman as the quality is excellent. The gilt bowls display no wear, these spoons have not seen much use. Delightful crest of a dove holding an olive branch, so I suppose these are peace spoons! The hallmarks are very clear, including the Hester Bateman makers mark.

A Georgian silver mote spoon, made by Philip Roker III in either 1766 or 1767. The mote spoon is the traditional shape, with a pierced bowl, tapered handle and diamond point finial, which is quite sharp. The piercing has a central starburst design, surrounded by symmetrical scrolls and holes. The spoon has a long drop, which is also pierced. The spoon has 2 hallmarks, a lion passant and makers mark P. ROKER, which was only used by Philip Roker III for 2 years, hence our ability to date the spoon so precisely. This is mark 3753 in Grimwade, who ascribes the mark to Philip Roker II (who died in 1757, so we assume Grimwade is incorrect. The Roker family were specialist spoonmakers, and have left behind some wonderful spoons. Mote spoons originated in the early 18th century, and were used to skim off floating particles of tea leaves and motes (tea dust) from a cup of tea (Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware, page 217). The long thin handle with sharpened point was used to clear the spout of a teapot (wh...

An interesting antique French silver Christening mug, which was retailed in Mauritius, and still has it's original wooden box. The cup is baluster shaped, with no handle, and has attractive bright cut engraving, with a central cartouche engraved with original owners initials NJ in flowing script. The original cone shaped silk lined wooden box reads "Audusson & Vidal Fils, Mauritius. The cup is clearly hallmarked on the base with makers mark L&G with lamb and boathook (or gaffe) in diamond punch, an additional mark of Mercury looking left is hidden in the decoration, this is a French export mark used between 1840 and 1973. Jules Ladoucette & Pierre Gavard worked between 1869 and 1886 from 17 Rue Philippeaux in Paris. Audusson & Vidal were retailers of luxury goods in Mauritius, their name has been recorded on items ranging from clocks to postcards. Mauritius was under British rule between 1810 and 1968, but previously was a French colony from 1715-1810, and retained it's French character, hence still importing...

A rare Tudor pattern Child's size spoon and fork, made by Chawner & Co, the leading flatware maker of Victorian England. They are not an exact set, the spoon was made in 1850 and is engraved with owners initials WM in flowing script, the fork was made in 1851 and is engraved with owners initials FB in Gothic capitals, but otherwise they match well and make a useful set, very suitable as a Christening present. The Tudor pattern is a Gothic Revival pattern, it has 2 small scroll circular projections on each side of the stem, this differentiates it from the "Straight Tudor" pattern. Both are clearly hallmarked, and both have a journeyman's mark - R on spoon and I on the fork. In addition, both also carries the British Registry design number and date chart diamond, which rarely occurs on silver flatware. The presence of the design mark indicates that Chawner registered the design to protect it being copied. Tudor is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware page 150) as "a rare Chawner & Co pattern registered Augus...