An engraved Victorian silver castletop cigarette case, featuring Edinburgh Castle. The case is rectangular, and is clearly hallmarked. The engraving is well done and in excellent condition, with clear details, scottish thistles surround the castle. The case also has original owners initials AP in script.
A silver and enamel vesta case, with a circular enamel plaque depicting a smokers pipe and the words "Just one more". The case is rectangular, the interior and strike are gilded, so lovely quality inside. The vesta also has a suspension ring. The hallmarks are clear, the initials LA are engraved next to the hallmarks, we suspect an owners mark rather than makers mark.
A Cape Silver lemoen lepel, (orange spoon), in good condition, and with very clear makers mark. This spoon is typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoon has typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. It also has a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl. The spoon has a slight copper tinge, this is exaggerated in the photographs. The IC makers mark is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). 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). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815. Note - this spoon matches the pair S 1922 and single S 1923.
An exceptionally large Danish silver serving spoon, in the Old Danish pattern (Dobbelt riflet), wih matching large bowl. The spoon is single struck, the pattern has a reeded edge, and the handle is fluted. This type of extremely large serving spoon is unique to Denmark, very suitable for serving a generous portion. The hallmarks include the Danish 3 towers mark (well struck but date letter not visible), makers mark VELTZIN, and an additional mark which reads 13L4G, which we think is a standard mark for 13 loth silver (812 purity). The makers mark Veltzin appears rare, we have not been able to trace this maker, or confirm the meaning of the 13L4G mark, all assistance welcome. We have sold a similar spoon S1293, and have a similar example S 11029. Note - a collector has now shared images of his spoon, very similar to this spoon, also hallmarked Veltzin but alongside makers mark CW - we agree with the collector that Veltzin is probably a retailers mark.
A 15 carat gold and enamel RAF (Royal Air Force) sweetheart brooch, with red and green enamel, perfectly preserved in it's original leather and silk box. The only hallmark present is 15CT for fifteen carat gold. The box is lovely, and reads "Royal Appointment, Gieves Ltd, 21 Old Bond St London W1". Gieves is now Gieves and Hawkes after the acquisition of Hawkes in 1974, they hold Royal Warrants for the Royal Family and the Prince of Wales, now at 1 Savile Row.
A set of six Victorian Scottish silver spoons, with matching tongs, in a Grecian pattern variant, not present in the book Silver Flatware by Ian Pickford, so we believe to be rare. The spoons can best be described as very large teaspoons, but definitely more suitable for eating dessert. The spoons and tongs have original owners engraved initials CS in fancy script. The pattern is very similar to Grecian, but noticeable differences include a shell at the top of the stem, and small beads as a border of the stem. The pattern is single struck, as is usual for Scottish flatware. Grecian pattern is a mid 19th century pattern, first exhibited by George Adams of Chawner & Co. at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the pattern is also present in the Chawner pattern book (pages 144, 145 and 218 of Pickford book above). The hallmarks are excellent on all 7 items, they could not be clearer, and include the Glasgow town mark with tree and fish. Robert Scott worked from Buchanan Street, Glasgow between 1849 and 1927. We really l...
A set of 4 cast silver and enamel wine labels, for Whisky, Brandy, Sherry and Gin. The labels are rectangular, with an attractive deeply chased scrolling border, the enamel is a deep Royal blue. These are cast, heavy labels, the quality is excellent, the original chains also have heavy links and are great quality. All 4 labels have clear hallmarks, they also have "Made in England" stamps. Turner and Simpson worked between 1912 and 1979 in the heart of the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, they were a large firm but still employed traditional methods. A fascinating series of 27 photographs by Janine Wiedel of the Turner & Simpson workers can be viewed at the following link, http://wiedel.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Jewellery-Quarter-Birmingham-UK-1970s.
A Liberty & Co Arts and Crafts sterling silver milk (or cream) jug, with a planished (hand hammered) squat circular body, with a high pouring lip. The jug is decorated with embossed celtic style buttons (4) and matching border, with a little heart shaped design. The jug sits on 3 button feet, and has a plain handle. The jug is clearly hallmarked with Liberty's distinctive L&Co in diamond shaped punch mark, along with Birmingham hallmarks for 1928. The jug also has a design number, 50014, perhaps some-one with access to the Liberty archives will be able to do further research. Arthur Liberty used his shop to showcase the work of leading designers, including Archibald Knox, Rex Silver, Bernard Cuzner and Jessie King (Liberty's, Biography of a Shop, A Adburgham, 1975, pg 81). It is possible this jug was designed by one of these designers. The Liberty store founded in 1875, and still thrives today. Their current Tudor Revival building on Great Marlborough Street was completed in 1924, using the timbers of 2 wars...
A pair of Scottish Provincial silver tablespoons, made in Aberdeen by Peter Ross between 1819 and 1822. The spoons are Fiddle pattern, and have original owners engraved initials AGC. The spoons are in lovely condition, well preserved, and the hallmarks are clear. The hallmarks include makers mark PR between two A hallmarks for Aberdeen. Ross was admitted as an Aberdeen hammerman in 1819, but only lived for 3 more years until 1822 (Aberdeen Silver by Michael Wilson). His legacy is Fiddle pattern flatware, he is not known to have produced other silver items. Note - We have a matching single tablespoon S 1892.
A rare pair of Cape silver tablespoons in the Old English pattern, engraved with the crest of the Cape Regiment. The spoons are engraved "CAPE.REG" above a bugle, suspended from a shamrock shape rope knot. This bugle was used as a crest for English Light regiments, currently still used by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (lightbobs). As is often the case with regimental silver, these spoons have been well used (and well polished), so the crest is worn, one is better than the other. Both spoons have clear Cape silver hallmarks, anchor, IC, anchor, mark 22 in Cape Silver by Welz, used by Johannes Combrink. The Cape Regiment was formed in 1795, and consisted of Khoisan and Coloured men under white officers, headquartered in Simonstown. In 1817 it was renamed the Cape Corps, it remained in existence until 1926. Major Matthew Richmond, a New Zealand Colonial administrator and politician, served with the Cape Regiment in 1817, so may have used these spoons. (note - we have 2 sets of these spoons)....
A rare Scottish Provincial silver soup ladle, made in Banff by John Keith. This is a beautiful ladle, long and elegant, it is also very substantial, a pleasure to use. The ladle is Old English, and has a contemporary engraved initial "M". The ladle also has an unusual drop, bowl shaped with a ridge. The hallmarks include makers mark "IK" for John Keith, capital letter "B" (thought to represent Banff), and capital letter "M" (used by Keith , possibly to represent a date letter). The hallmarks are clearly legible, but the bottom left of both the "B" and "M" mark is not visible, probably as a result of not being well struck. We have dated this ladle to circa 1790, so early on in Keiths career.
A delightful and attractive silver miniature replica tankard, commemorating the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Merchant Taylors Company in 1327. The tankard is a replica of an original Irish tankard with Dublin hallmarks for 1680. The tankard has acanthus and laurel leaf embossing to the lower body, as well as an embossed cross and floral design on the base. The lid has a scrolled thumbpiece, and the flat stepped lid is decorated with the figure of a mans head (very unusual), with a circular band of decoration. The tankard also has a well engraved coat of arms of the Merchant Taylors Company, with motto "Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt" (In Harmony Small Things Grow), and "Merchant Taylors Co 1st Charter 1327" engraved underneath. The Merchant Taylors Company is one of the 12 great London livery companies. They are based in the Merchant Taylors Hall (Threadneedle Street & Cornhill), they have occupied this location since 1347. They are now a philanthropical social organisation. The tankard contains a ...
A Cape silver Basting spoon in the Old English pattern, of good gauge, very suitable for use. Whilst the spoon is Old English pattern, the drop is definitely not English in style, it has a European flavour (which shows the different influences on Cape Silversmiths of the time). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark WGL struck twice, and the inverted L device used by Lotter (mark 95 in Welz). The Lotter family are important in the history of Cape silver, with 12 members of the family known to have produced silver. Willem Godfried, who made this spoon, worked from 1810 - 1835, and is known for good quality work.
An extremely rare Cape konfyt (preserve) fork with tubular handle, with typically Cape prick engraving of foliage at the top of the handle. No hallmarks are present. The handle is similar to the Cannon handle pattern of early English flatware. Similar forks are illustrated in Heller's History of Cape Silver (Vol 2, pg 82) and Welz's Cape Silver (pg 68), these are by Johannes Combrink.
Rare Cape Basting spoon (Old English pattern) with a large and deep bowl, and very clear hallmarks. The bowl is also wider than English versions, as can be seen from the comparative photo. The spoon also has a thick drop. Jan Lotter, who worked from 22 Keerom Street, only produced silver for 4 years from 1813 - 1817.
A fabulous pair of Cape silver Old English pattern tablespoons, of the very best quality and condition, by one of the top Cape silversmiths. The spoons have strong tips, more Continental than English in style, and an elongated oval drop. The hallmarks are very clear on both, makers mark .JCL in rectangular punch between 2 seven petalled floral devices (a combination of marks 76 and 78 in the book Cape Silver by Welz, page 150). the .JCL mark is for Johannes Casparus Lotter I, who worked between 1766 and circa 1810, he was succeeded by his son (also Johannes Casparus Lotter II, 1811-1823) who used a JCL* mark, accompanied with the 7 petal floral devices. This combination of punches by different silversmiths is not unusual in the Cape, where punches were handed down and re-used. Johannes Casparus Lotter I produced excellent quality work (better than his son, according to David Heller, History of Cape Silver). The Lotter family produced over 12 Cape silversmiths between 1766 and 1879, their family tree is shown ...
A lovely pair of Old English pattern tablespoons, with Leopards head family crest. The leopard is quite realistically engraved, and looks quite fierce. The hallmarks are excellent, as good as they could be, a journeyman's mark (the silversmith who made the spoons in the Wallis workshop) of 2 dots is also present. What is of interest about these hallmarks is the double cusp on the duty mark, to the right and base, this mark was only used between 6 July 1797 and 28 May 1798, 6 July being the date at which duty on silver was doubled from sixpence to one shilling. Jackson shows the 2 cusps to the left and base, this mark was never used on spoons, it was only used on tongs and knife blades that did not require the London town mark (Tony Dove, in an article entitled "The cusped duty used at the assay offices from 1797", in the Finial Vol. 14-04). 1797 was the first year a cusp was used, it was used again periodically when duty changed. The different assay offices applied the usage of cusps differently.
A mixed and interesting set of 6 Cape silver Old English pattern teaspoons, all made by members of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. It consists of 3 matched spoons by Gerhardus Lotter, 2 spoons by his cousin Carel David Lotter, and 1 spoon by his brother Willem Godfried Lotter. The 3 spoons by Gerhardus are marked by makers mark GL (Welz mark 68), one spoon by Carel has makers mark CDL (Welz mark 63), the other Carel spoon has CDL between 2 stars (Welz mark 64). The Willem spoon has WGL between 2 L shaped devices (Welz mark 94), all marks are clear. One Carel spoon has original engraved initials DJLR, the other 5 have no engraving. The spoons have very slight differences in style and length, but they are close enough to be used as a set.
A matching antique sterling silver knife, fork and spoon, made as a Christening present. They are dessert size, and in an unusual scrolling pattern, possibly an Onslow pattern variant. This scrolling pattern reminds us of the Auricular style, a 17th century German Mannerism style, rarely seen today. The knife has a pistol grip, the blade is also hallmarked sterling silver. They are gilded with a rich golden colour, this gilding is original. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked, the knife handle has an additional FH makers mark for Francis Higgins, so the knife handle was outsourced. F.B. Thomas & Co. was a well known firm of retail silversmiths, established in 1759. Francis Boone Thomas joined the firm aged 21 in 1851, he took control in 1871, he died age 71 in 1900. The firm traded until 1941 when it was severely damaged in an air raid during World War II.
A magnificent pair of Pierced Vine (also called Chased & Pierced Vine) pattern gilded dessert spoons, these are spectacular spoons. The pattern has interwoven vines, grapes and leaves, and a vacant cartouche on the back for initials or a family crest. The spoons are hand forged, a good weight and superb quality, as you would expect from Vander. The pattern was first produced by Francis Higgins for the Great Exhibition of 1851, and was intended for dessert. The pattern is described as "one of the most extraordinary silver flatware patterns in the world" by MP Levene, London silver dealers who still produce this pattern today. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons.
