An interesting Irish Silver dish commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising (Irish: Eiri Amach na Casca), also known as the Easter Rebellion or Sinn Fein Rebellion. The dish is circular with a scalloped edge, and contains a sterling silver medallion, with the burning Post Office "AIS EIRI na CASCA", 1916-1966. The back contains 7 signatures who were the signatories of the proclamation, all were executed by the British. They include: Tom Clark, Sean MacDermott, Thomas MacDonagh, Padraig Pearse, Eamon Ceannt, James Connolly, Joseph Plunkett. All were members of the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Their graves in the former military prison of Arbour Hill in Dublin is now a National Monument. The dish has 5 hallmarks in the bowl, including maker's mark RISL for Royal Irish Silver Limited, Hibernia, Harp Crowned, date letter Y and the Sword of Light 1916-1966 Jubilee mark, only used in 1966 to celebrate the anniversary. The medallion is also hallmarked, including mak...

A regimental silver match box cover (large size matchbox), with gold crest of the 21st Empress of India Lancers. The box is engraved "Presented by MJ Stapylton Late 21st Hussars", and stands on 4 bun feet. The box is hallmarked, but these are now worn due to over zealous polishing in the mess. The box is also engraved "Asprey London". Major Miles John Stapylton of the Yorkshire Hussars and 21st Lancers was Lord of the Manor of Eston in Myton, York. He was born in 1869 and married in 1900, he had 3 children. The regimental history is interesting. The were designated 21st Hussars in India in 1861, and in 1897 they were re-designated and equipped as 21st Lancers in Cairo. In 1898 they were the only regular cavalry to serve with the army sent to re-conquer Sudan to end Dervish rule. In the now famous Charge at Omdurman, they lost 21 men and won 3 Victoria Crosses. Winston Churchill participatedin this action as a lieutenant. As a result of the charge, they were awarded the title "21st Empress of India Lancers" by...

A typical Art Nouveau silver belt buckle, probably a nurses belt buckle. The buckle is an interesting shape, and has an Art Nouveau Female head, with flowing locks and flower in hair. The head is actually a separate piece of silver, also hallmarked, which provides depth to the buckle. The buckle is also engraved with different flowers and leaves.

A Liberty Cymric silver matchbox holder, set with a single cabochon of turquoise, typical of the designer Archibald Knox for Liberty. The hallmarks are clear, although the makers mark is only partially visible, but clearly identifiable as Liberty. This box is not stamped "Cymric", although it undoubtably belongs to the Cymric range.

An interesting 17th century style silver notched 2 pronged fork, a replica of the earliest known English table fork. The fork has 3 notches at the top of the stem, a rare feature seen occasionally on puritan spoons. The original, made in 1632, is known as the Manners Fork, and is in the V&A museum in London. The original belonged to the Rutland family of Haddon Hall, and has the crest of John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland. This fork is a good gauge, very pleasing to use, we tested it on cold meats and olives! The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark FH for Francis Howard, the firm worked between 1900 and 1986. A real talking point for your dinner table. Note: - we now have another example of this fork, S 1808, also in original box

A silver prize fob medallion, of the Surbiton Motor Club (just outside London), awarded for the London to Barnstaple race in 1927. The medallion is beautiful, and features a maiden in flowing dress holding a laurel wreath, and a shield with 3 fish, we assume the crest of the Surbiton motor club. The medallion is well made, the detail is excellent, this would make an attractive necklace pendant. The rear of the medallion has a laurel wreath, and is engraved "London Barnstaple 1927 A.W. Alliston". The hallmarks are clear.

An interesting Roman silver Ligula (or spatula), used for getting cosmetics (or medicinal products) out of long necked jars (balsamaries). The ligula has a rounded shaft with a slight knob on the end, a baluster decoration on the stem (perhaps to improve grip), and a feather or leaf shaped bowl, the 2 sides joined at a 135 degree angle. The bowl also has 3 curved engraved lines, possibly for decoration. The stem is quite rough to the feel (the opposite of smooth and even), it has a number of knocks, small cracks and holes, and discouloured patches, perhaps the result of a long and rough life, but we feel more likely from impurities in the silver when it was made (we welcome opinions, this is certainly not our area of expertise, thanks)

A rare Victorian silver Cyclists Touring Club certificate holder, in the form of a pendant, with an original enamel membership certificate for 1899. The holder is in the shape of a bicycle wheel, complete with spokes, and is decorated with the badge of the Cyclists Touring Club, three feathered wings surrounding a central cog which says "trademark". The initials CTC in gothic script complete the logo. This logo should be familiar to all, it is still used today on Bicycle playing cards, which have been produced since 1885. The holder, which is silver, is unmarked, the pendant loop however is hallmarked with the English sterling lion passant. The enamel badge has the same logo with the date 1899 on a green background. The rear, which reads "Cyclists' Touring Club Membership Certificate", is signed by secretary Ernest R Shipton. The original member's details are still visible, it reads "No 23689, W.O. Trotter, Oak House, Brandon". Oak House in Brandon, Suffolk still exists at 70 High Street, it is the home of De...

A circular silver bowl, with the crest of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, and the date 1937 engraved on it. The 2 lizards or salamanders are used in the crest of the Ironmongers as they could reputably survive fire. The Company of Ironmongers is one of the 12 great livery companies, 10th in order of precedence (The Goldsmiths are 5th). The bowl was made to commemorate the coronation of King George VI in 1937, and would probably have been distributed to it's freemen. The company is still active today, and its hall (destroyed during WW1) can be rented out for functions. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark C.E, who has not been identified, but who worked between 1924 and 1956 (www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk, on our links page).

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 very interesting silver drum salt, designed by Alex Styles and retailed through Garrard, to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the Goldsmiths Company in 1977. The body is decorated with a fabulous interpretation of the Goldsmiths Company Arms, and the dates 1327-1977. The arms (granted in 1571) include quartered leopards head and covered cup with 2 buckles, and a stylized demi-virgin (thought to possibly be Queen Elizabeth I) holding the scales (balances) of Justice and a touchstone, both used for testing precious metals. The armorial is supported by 2 unicorns (representing purity), and the motto JUSTITIA VIRTUTUM REGINA, latin for "Justice is Queen of Virtues". The design has been photo-etched onto the silver, a modern technique which we think does justice to the armorial. The Goldsmiths company is one of the 12 great Livery companies of London, they were granted Royal Charter in 1327. The Leopards head (actually a lion but in 1327 the word for lion and leopard was the same) comes from the Royal standar...

A delightful silver whistle in full working order, it emits a piercing and loud whistle (which certainly attracted attention when we tested it!). The whistle is engraved with scrolling foliage, and has a ring and link to allow it to be suspended from a chain or chatelaine. The hallmarks are very clear. This would make a lovely and functional pendant on a silver necklace. William John Hutchinson worked between 1900 and 1929.

An interesting and decorative Portuguese silver toothpick holder, made in Porto between 1853 and 1862 by the unidentified maker MJG. The holder consists of a well dressed Chinese figure holding the vase shaped toothpick holder, standing on a ornamental pedestal, with 4 applied silver plaques, the pedestal standing on 4 cast silver scrolling feet. The Chinese figure wears an 8 sided conical hat, a flowing robe with engraved leaf decoration, baggy pants and pointed heeled shoes. The pedestal has a crenulated top, the sides with oval piercings and pierced dots nearer the base. The four plaques (attached with silver nut) consist of 2 Chinese pagodas, a bearded Chinese figue sitting crossed legged, and a European figure holding a conical object with a plume, we guess a fire plume (all assistance welcome!). The square cast base also has a patterned rim. This is a very well made cast item, pleasing gauge, and clearly made by a master silversmith. The hallmarks include makers mark MJG with beaded border, this maker i...

A scale replica set of the Tichborne Celebrities, probably the most famous of all English spoon sets, originally made by William Cawdell in 1592 (Kent, London Silver Spoonmakers). The set was produced in 1977 by the Heritage Collection of Bristol, commemorating the Silver Jubilee, in a limited edition of 5000 (this set is no 1814). The sets sold for GBP 250 in 1977, with a royalty paid to the Hampshire County Museum, who bought the original set at Christies in 1975 for GBP 85000. The spoons are sterling silver with gilt finials, and each spoon is hallmarked with 5 marks - makers device, STG (sterling), antelope head (South Africa), date letter D and set number 1814. The spoons are good quality, with very detailed finials, and each is engraved with its name, as per the originals. The set comes in original box, complete with signed certificate with information on each "celebrity", and a booklet describing the set, its maker, and information on Sir Robert Tichborne. The set comprises of the "9 Worthies" of medie...

A fabulous quality gold and Diamond World War II Sweetheart brooch, for the Gordon Highlanders Regiment. The brooch has a textured 9 carat gold stags head with impressive antlers, green cabochon eyes (we assume emerald) and two red faceted stone nostrils (we assume ruby). The stags head is surrounded in a wreath of 18 leaves (white 9 carat gold), each leaf contains a diamond, and sits above a crown (which also contains 5 diamonds, so 23 diamonds in total, all are present). The regimental motto "BYDAND", translated as "Stand and Fight", in gold letters set in blue enamel sits in a gold scroll at the base. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark J.W.B, 9 and .375 indicating 9 carat gold, anchor town mark for Birmingham and date letter R for 1941. The pin is also hallmarked 9 .375 indicating it is also 9 carat gold. John William Barrett was a manufacturing jeweller who worked between 1903 and 1953, a number of other high quality sweetheart brooches are known by him, so we assume this was an area of spec...

Delightful silver handled (hook is steel) boot button hook, shaped as a leopard's head, of exceptional quality. The cast leopard's head has fine detail, including the 4 teeth and tongue. Buttonhooks were an essential Victorian accessory, used for buttons on boots and tight fitting clothing. The only hallmark present is an English Lion passant, which is worn, but still visible.

A rare Liberty Cymric toothbrush, with silver handle set with two turquoise cabochons, and wooden (ebony) toothbrush set with bristles. The hallmarks are clear, including L&Co makers mark, but the CYMRIC mark is not present (as is usual on small items). This toothbrush matches the Liberty Cymric vanity set (S1360).

A silver figure depicting "The Trusty Servant" of Winchester College, one of the oldest and most prestigious of English public schools. The figure is well engraved, with lovely detail. A picture of the Trusty Servant hangs in the kitchen of Winchester College. The figure is dressed in Windsor uniform and wig, and has a pigs head, donkey ears, padlocked jaw, deers feet, sword and collection of household implements. These refer to "desirable attributes of a servant", padlocked jaw (to keep secrets), stags feet (swift errands), household implements (to work hard) and sword (to protect master). We are not sure what the figure was intended for (it has no stand or attachments), but is probably intended as a bookmark, or could be added to a trophy or adapted as menu holder.

A rare Victorian silver triple stamp box, one of the nicer ones we have see. The box is rectangular with concave sides, and is on four ball feet, the hinged lid has a sliding insert with glass top, to enable stamps to be placed in the lid. The interior is gilded, and has 3 compartments for 3 different denomination stamps, with 2 original wooden curved inserts, to easily slide a stamp out. It is quite a substantial, well made box, it would have been an expensive item when new. The box is clearly hallmarked, the lid and sliding insert are hallmarked as well. George Unite was established in 1825, Unite apprenticed with Joseph Willmore, he died in 1896, the business was continued by his sons.

Delightful set of 4 silver fox menu holders (or place holders), of extremely high quality, by a well regarded maker. The menu holders all have the letter B engraved on the base disk. All are fully hallmarked with clear marks, including the number 9 before the makers mark. Sampson Mordan & Co had a retail shop in Regent Street, London.