An early Keswick School of Industrial Arts silver caddy spoon, instantly recognisable as Keswick from its distinctive arts and crafts design and finish, with planished bowl, fish tail handle and mock rivet punches. The Keswick silver hallmark was only registered in 1905, so this is one of their earliest silver spoons. Close inspection shows the rivets are not evenly spaced, so clearly struck by hand. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark KSIA in oval punch. The Keswick School of Industrial Arts was established in Keswick, Cumberland in 1884 by Canon Rawnsley, Vicar of Crosthwaite and Canon of Carlisle, and his wife Edith, as a metalwork class following the teachings of John Ruskin and William Morris. Many famous artists, including Harold Stabler and Leslie Durbin, were part of the faculty. Hand finished metal work proved a difficult competitor to machine finished work and the School closed in its centenary year, 1984. Although they produced furniture and furnishings, it is for their metalwork t...

A lovely set of 12 sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, with baluster finial. The spoon size and shape are nicely balanced, we really like these spoons. The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark B&S in serrated punch for Brook & Son of Edinburgh. Brook and Son were leading Edinburgh silversmiths and retailers from 1891 to 1939, they succeeded William Marshall & Sons.

A Cape silver soup ladle in the Fiddle pattern, it is quite large and of good weight, with a substantial bowl size, definitely larger than usual. In addition to it's large bowl, the handle is wider than usual, and the drop is large and rounded, more European in style than English. Overall it has a very appealing Colonial charm, quite different from English examples of the period, so probably from early in Twentyman's career, before his flatware more closely resembled English examples. The ladle has an original engraved owners crest, a running stag, the engraving also Colonial in style, the body of the stag a little too long, the engraving still crisp and clear, we really like it. The crest can be described as "Argent, a stag trippant attired and unguled", this is the South African crest of the McCarthy family (Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 205). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark LT for Lawrence Twentyman, and pseudo English hallmarks (duty mark, castle town mark, and date letter C) -...

An interesting set of 6 Victorian silver teapoons and matching sugartongs, with a 15th Century soldier carrying a halberd. This appears to be a private pattern, we have not been able to trace it in the pattern books (all assistance welcome). The pattern is very detailed, both on the front and the back, we love these spoons. In addition to the soldier, complete with collar, the front has what could be an apple tree, the back has a shield (unengraved, intended for family crest) and a different flowering plant, with a stipple background. The spoons and tongs are also great quality and a good weight, as one would expect from Elkington. All 7 pieces are clearly hallmarked, they also carry a registration mark "RD105810", so Elkington protected the design. All the spoons are 1892, the tongs are 1893. Elkington was one of the leading British Silversmiths in the 19 and 20th centuries, they were founded in 1836, and are known for their excellent quality. Note - We have now identified this pattern as "Tudor Men & Women"...

A Cape silver tablespoon 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, this is very clearly struck in rectangular outline, which is unusual for this makers mark which is usually worn. The home made punch letters can clearly be seen, and the rectangular outline means it was struck early in his career before the punch became worn. The makers mark is between 2 oval "face" device marks, regularly used by Lotter (mark 88 in Welz, Cape Silver). We are not convinced this is a face as depicted by Welz, more research is required. 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. David Heller described...

A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir shooting trophy spoons, all with 2 rifles as the handles. Six spoons have crossed rifles, 4 spoons have enamel finials, and 7 are from Africa (Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia - now Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe), with one from South Africa. The spoons include: 1. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, RMSB 1952, bare chested labourer crest, London 1911, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 2. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, bare chested labourer crest, London 1912, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 3. Birmingham Forward, enamel city crest of mural crown and arm with hammer (industry), Birmingham 1902, Arthur Fenwick 4. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1954, enamel crest of leopard, Birmingham 1952, James Fenton 5. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1953, crest of leopard, Birmingham 1953, James Fenton 6. Northern Rhodesia Rifle Association, fish eagle holding fish, no hallmarks 7. Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces, Lion holding tusk, Sheffi...

A set of 2 Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoons, by a lesser known Cape silversmith whose work does not appear very often. The spoons are a slightly different length (being handmade) and have similar but different hallmarks, so they were probably made at different times. Both have makers mark DC in between two floral or star devices, but both the makers mark and devices have differences, indicating they were struck by different punches. One DC makers mark has separate DC, the other DC appears to be cojoined. The floral or star device was used by a number of Cape silversmiths, including Beets, Hockly, Lotter, Townsend, Twentyman and Vos. The makers mark DC between 2 stars is depicted in Heller's Cape Silver Vol 2 (pg 122), where it is shown as mark NMM15.

A Cape silver salt spoon, in the Fiddle pattern, with original gilded bowl. The original gilding is a light lemon colour, worn and scratched from use, but still clearly visible and quite charming. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark PD for Peter Clarke Daniel, alongside pseudo hallmarks date letter B in indented punch, date letter a and Georgian duty mark (Welz mark 41, page 148, Cape Silver). The presence of 2 different pseudo date letters is unusual, it appears Daniel was the only Cape silversmith who did this, perhaps he lacked understanding of the English hallmarking system. An original owners cross hatch scratch mark is also visible below makers mark, this is small and does not detract. Peter Clarke Daniel was born in Dublin, he arrived in the Cape with the 1820 settlers as a child.

A set of 6 Cape Silver teaspoons, Old English in pattern but more in a Continental than English style, with v shaped drops, Continental shaped bowls with sharp tip, and handles that flatten out towards the terminals. We really like these spoons, typically early Cape in character, made before the arrival of the English settlers in 1820. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IC in rectangular punch with clipped corners, fat base I and C with shorter top, Welz mark 32 (page 147). All 6 spoons also have original owners stamped initials ISR. In addition, all 6 spoons have a later owners lightly scratched initials MN on the front of the spoons, only visible in certain light. The MN initials are stylish, perhaps Art Deco, so possibly added in the 1930's. These spoons are accompanied by a card dated 1933, the spoons were a gift from Mr & Mrs Louis P Naude of Kimberley to his niece Luisa, written in Afrikaans, stating the spoons are already over 100 years old, and that if she behaves she can get the oth...

An Indian colonial silver salt spoon in the Fiddle pattern. The hallmarks are clear, H&Co makers mark for Hamilton & Co, the Garrards of India, along with capital A and elephant. A previous owners initials are crudely dot engraved on the back.

A Indian Colonial silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, slightly larger and heavier than most tablespoons. Ths spoon has a good feel, nicely weighted when used, and clearly hand made. The spoon has no engraving, or any sign of engraving being removed. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark P&Co. for Pittar & Co, pseudo lion passant, pseudo date letter A and tally mark number 17 from the book "Indian Colonial Silver" by Wynyard Wilkinson, page 170. Arthur Pittar & Co. worked between 1825 and 1848 in Calcutta, a similar tablespoon, but 2 centimetres shorter, is depicted on page 104. They were primarily diamond and jewel merchants, but clearly made good quality flatware and holloware. They imported a die press for manufacture of Fiddle pattern flatware in 1842, we believe this spoon predates that, given it's unusual size.

A pleasing, heavy caddy spoon by the well known caddy spoon maker Thomas James, whose spoons often have interesting handle shapes, and a "fish-tail" projection at the base of the handle. The spoon has a beautiful crest of a hand holding a cross, with the motto "VIRTUTI FORTUNA COMIS", translated "excellence, fortune and kindness". The hallmarks are very clear. This spoon appears to be an identical twin of a spoon sold by Woolley and Wallis from the John Norie collection, Part 1, April 2004, lot 132. We have now identified the family crest as belonging to the Mayne Family of Scotland, from Tullibody & Powis in Stirling. The crest is described as "Cubit arm, erect, proper habited sable cuff argent holding a cross crosslet gules", the motto above the crest denotes a Scottish family. One possible original owner of this spoon is Colonel William Mayne, who served as Captain of the 1st Life Guards at Waterloo. Thomas James was freed in 1789, but only entered his own mark in 1804.

A set of 8 Cape Silver tablespoons and table forks (4 of each) in the Old English pattern, all with original owners engraved initials JM in script. The forks are lovely, long and elegant, and in great condition, the spoons have seen more use, with wear to the bowls. The spoons have wide circular drops, more continental in style. Six pieces (4 spoons and 2 forks) have additional initials AFDT engraved on the back of the stems, we assume an earlier owner, the AFDT showing signs of wear. Seven items have excellent hallmarks (makers mark IC and crude anchor, Welz mark 25), one fork has different marks, makers mark IC struck with a worn punch (Welz mark 29) and what appears to be crowned leopards head (clearly struck but worn punch, outline clear but no detail). Combrink had a long career, and this IC mark with worn punch is well known, it is assumed the punch became worn over time. The crowned leopard town mark is more of a mystery, this punch was used by Twentyman and Waldek (Welz 135 and 163), and is unknown by...

A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, as follows: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude an axe, and St. James a staff and bible. The spoons are from a set (no 117), issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem, and the set number 117. They come complete with original signed certificate and explanatory booklet, with information on all the apostles, origin and how they were made, also the original advertising letter. Note: We have sold a previous set...

Two Cape silver tablespoons (not a pair), but both in Old English pattern and both by Johannes Combrink. The first has engraved owners initials JM in script, this spoon has excellent hallmarks, makers mark IC and the anchor (Welz mark 25), and a rounded drop. It also has the initials AFDT struck on the back of the stem, we assume another owner. The second has a slightly wider handle, no initials, and very clear makers mark IC (Welz mark 32).

A delightful Georgian silver caddy spoon, heart shaped with a deep bowl, with a bifurcated stem, thread pattern and coffin end. The bifurcated stem is quire a fragile design, hence the old repair where the handle has been rejoined to the bowl. The spoon has very clear hallmarks in the bowl, as well as an additional makers mark on the handle. Matthew Linwood was a highly regarded silversmith described by Delieb as "produced some of the finest of all the Birmingham boxes" in his book "Silver Boxes". He is also well known for his caddy spoons. A very similar caddy spoon was part of the John Norie collection, depicted as lot 187 (Part 1, Woolley & Wallis, 2004). This particular spoon was made by Josiah Snatt in London 1801.

An interesting hand crafted silver spoon, made to commemorate the 500 Anniversary of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters in 1977 by Gerald Benney, one of the most influential British silversmiths of the second half of the 20th century. The spoon is a lovely shape, almost puritan in style, and is engraved with the coat of arms of the Carpenters company above the dates 1477 and 1977. The spoon is the size of a large teaspoon, these were awarded as gifts to Liverymen. The coat of arms can be read as "a field silver, a chevron sable (black) grailed and three compasses of the same", the compasses represent carpenters tools and the chevron a roof support. The hallmarks are excellent, they could not be better, and include makers mark AGB in cojoined circles and Silver Jubilee mark used in 1977. Gerald Benney is included as one of the top 50 British silversmiths of his era in the book "Designer British Silver 1930-1985", pgs 86-105, by Andrew & Pearson, a book we highly recommend. He is the only British silversmith ...

A lovely hand hammered Portuguese silver Arts and Crafts spoon, with a blue stone cabochon set in the handle, possibly turquoise. The spoon is a pleasing gauge, quite heavy, this is a good quality hand made spoon. The spoon has a rounded bowl with quite a long handle, so possibly a jam spoon or sauce ladle. The hallmarks include "Pedro A Batista", a very small Portuguese standard mark (eagle facing left above 925, in rectangular canted punch for Porto), and additional makers mark of crossed hammer and spanner.

A set of 6 antique silver teaspoons, with finials modelled as British soldiers at the time of the Boer War, described as "Soldiers of the Queen" when originally produced. We believe these spoons were produced to raise funds for the war effort. The soldiers are well modelled, back and front, with good detail, including moustache, chest cross band and putties. The spoons are gilded, and have twisted stems. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked on the back of the bowls for Birmingham 1900, this includes a registration mark Rd 352723, which indicates Devenport protected their design. To us the soldiers look like they are wearing the red British uniform with white cross in use at the start of the Boer War, before the change to Khaki to provide better camoflage. British soldiers in red with a white cross on their chests made inviting targets to the Boer marksmen.

A lovely set of 6 Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, in excellent condition and with very clear hallmarks. The spoons are clearly hand made, you can see very slight differences in the shape and size of the Fiddle and bowl shape when comparing closely. The spoons are good quality and a good weight, just under 20 grammes each. The spoons have no engraving with no initials removed, completely original. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with 4 pseudo hallmarks, all struck individually in the same order - pseudo duty mark, bird, pseudo Edinburgh Castle town mark and pseudo date letter B. This is mark 134 in the book "Cape Silver and Silversmiths" by Stephan Welz, without makers mark - but clearly Twentyman as he was the only Cape silversmith who used these punches. Twentyman was the most prolific of all Cape silversmiths, he had the first shop on Heerengracht (now Adderley Street) with a shop window. He worked between 1818 and 1837. We really like these spoons.