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...

An Irish Georgian silver pair of sugartongs, decorated in bright cut engraving, and featuring the rare "Dublin Bow" engraved on both arms. The tongs are lovely quality and a good weight, they have shell grips, concave arms, and are slightly longer and heavier than their English counterparts (See Hodges, Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs, page 197, where he also states that Irish tongs of this period are beautifully made, with distinctive bright cut engraving, commanding prices 2 to 3 times more than English equivalents). The tongs are engraved with original owners initials ER in script. Bright cut engraving was popular in Ireland between 1790 and 1800, the bright cut glitters in candlelight, the Bow pattern is much rarer than the Dublin Star pattern, the Star, Bow and Prince of Wales Feathers (unique to Limerick) are unique to Irish silver. The hallmarks are clear, under the bow, makers mark BT in serrated punch for Taitt who worked between 1784 and 1791, and Irish harp and Hibernia in rounded punch used before 17...

A beautiful sterling silver master butter knife in the Moresque pattern, made by Wendt of Boston and retailed by Starr & Marcus of 5th Avenue, New York. The butter knife has a twist handle (at 90 degrees to the flat handle version), the blade is engraved with bright cut foliage on one side, on the reverse it is engraved "Christmas 02" (for 1902). It also has engraved initial P in fancy script, the original owner. The Moresque pattern was designed by Bernhard Beiderhase for John Wendt, it was patented in 1873 during the "Persian Revival" period (other patterns include Arabesque, Hinostanee and Persian). It has been described as "one of the nicer American exotic patterns, arguably the most complex". John Wendt has been described as "one of the most important American silversmiths of the mid 19th century", his work is highly collectable. He was a German immigrant, he emigrated to the USA in 1848. The hallmarks are clear, "STARR & MARCUS, STERLING, PATENT". Wendt worked as a manufacturer for prestigious retailers...

A beautiful sterling silver antique cheese scoop, in the Indian pattern, made by Whiting of New York and retailed by N. Harding & Co. of Boston (Haverhill). The scoop bowl is gold washed, and has lovely bright cut engraving (flowers with pattern) on the back of the bowl. The scoop has 2 engraved initials on the front, an ornate P and M, and on the back is engraved "Fathers Day 02" (for 1902). This spoon is described as a cheese scoop in the pattern books, but the extreme foldover of the bowl shows it was designed for Stilton cheese. The hallmarks are clear, including Whiting lion makers mark, "PAT 1874 STERLING", retailers mark N Harding & Co (slightly worn but still visible), and additional marks 3 and A near the makers mark. We can date this scoop between 1874 when the pattern was designed by Charles Osborne, and 1889 which is the year Harding & Co closed (operated 1851-1889). We really like this cheese scoop.The Whiting Manufacturing Company was established in 1866, and was a supplier to Tiffany. They wer...

A mixed set of antique American sterling silver, comprising of an olive spoon and olive fork. The spoon is Towle Empire pattern, patent 1894, with gold wash pierced bowl, this is a beautiful spoon. It was designed by George P Tilton, and has no monogramme. The fork is by Clark & Biddle, made between 1866 and 1870, it has a twisted stem, 3 tines with barbs, and intricate engraving. The fork has engraved owners initial P in fancy script, and is also engraved on the back "Thanksgiving 02", we assume 1902. Both items are clearly hallmarked.

A Gorham sterling silver Louis XIV pattern pickle knife, with a pair of matching master salt spoons. The pattern is striking, described as "17 th Century Magnificence", named after King Louis Quatorze of France, who "made his reign famous for it's splendour". The pickle knife (similar to an English butter knife) is bright cut and gilded, with no monogramme, which the 2 saltspoons have goldwash bowls and engraved initials G. The hallmarks are clear on all 3 items, "Patent 1870, Sterling, and the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G. Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware market in the USA for 125 years (Gorham Silver, page 50). Note -We also have a Gorham Louis XIV sifter ladle and suace ladle S 11476.

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 boxed set of six sterling silver Hanoverian pattern teapoons, with matching sugar tongs. The spoons all have rat tails, and the tongs have the spoon pattern repeated on the arms. The quality is good, as you would expect from Mappin & Webb. The original box reads "Mappin & Webb Ltd, Regent Street, London W", this would have been an expensive item when new. All 7 items have excellent hallmarks, the 6 spoons are 1919, the tongs 1920. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller.

A rare early Kay Bojesen Art Nouveau silver server, he would probably have called it a sandwich server. The server is typically Art Nouveau, very similar in style to early Georg Jensen pieces, with a ball finial crowning another ball, with 8 supporting strands in a vase shape, with 2 S shaped wings on the side. The handle is also vase shaped, with rounded corners, so pleasing to hold. The serving bowl is wedge shaped, flat in front with a small bowl, and 2 supporting raised sides to hold items in place. The connection between handle and bowl has 2 scrolls below a pyramid style step. The server is clearly hand made, you can see variations in how the 8 strands connect. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark KBS, Kay Bojesen device (oval with picture, ships funnel?), and standard mark 830S for 830 grade silver. Kay Bojesen (1886-1958) trained with Georg Jensen 1907-1910, he opened his own workshop in 1913, at first making similar designs to Jensen (we date this piece to early in his career). In 1951 his "Grand...

A set of 24 silver knives, 12 table knives and matching 12 dessert (or bread) knives, in the Louis XIV pattern, made by the leading silversmiths of the period. The knives are very good quality, perfectly suited for regular use. The knives have sterling silver handles and steel blades. The pattern is a Kings pattern variant, with shell and reeded edge, this particular pattern is the Louis XIV pattern. All 24 knives are fully hallmarked, with R&B makers mark for Roberts & Belk, and Sheffield hallmarks (some 1970, some 1971, so the set crossed the date letter change). Roberts & Belk were founded in 1810, in 1960 they were acquired by CJ Vander, the leading silversmiths of the period.

A beautiful pair of miniature antique silver pastry servers, perfectly preserved in their original box. The servers are in the Kings Husk pattern, single struck, this is a variant of the Kings pattern without the central honeysuckle decoration, and a husk shell. Both servers are a similar size and shape, one had a flat spade shape blade and the other has a serrated prong front, so quite versatile. The hallmarks on both are very clear. The box reads "By Appointment to his Excellency The Governor of Cape Colony, Morris Bros, Jewellers & Silversmiths, Kimberley & Johannesburg". We have not been able to trace any information about Morris Brothers, all assistance welcome. Note - We have now traced a 1905 advert for John Round & Son, they claim to be "The largest spoon and fork makers in the world".

A pair of antique Irish silver sugar tongs in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initials MMG. The tongs are a good weight and in excellent condition. The hallmarks are very clear, they could not be better. Philip Weekes worked between 1816 and 1848, he was apprenticed to Samuel Neville. The makers mark has a dot between the letters, this mark does not appear in Irish Silver by Bennett.

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 rare Victorian silver Paxton pattern silver sugar tongs, in excellent condition. The tongs have the Paxton pattern on both arms, the pattern has a central flower with trailing foliage and flowers, with a Gothic border, and a very different and unusual foliage pattern on the tong bowls. The tongs have a good gauge, excellent quality, as you would expect from Chawner, the top maker of Victorian silver flatware. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co. Ian Pickford, in his book "Silver Flatware", describes the Paxton pattern as "a very rare mid-nineteenth century pattern, named after Joseph Paxton the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition. It is illustrated in the Chawner pattern book, services are very rare, odd pieces may be found, building a service would be extremely difficult" - page 231, where a fork dated 1868, also by Chawner and currently in the V&A museum, is illustrated - see also pg. 219 for Chawner pattern book. Joseph Paxton was al...

A fabulous pair of antique silver tea knives (or butter knives), made in Sheffield but retailed in Oban, Scotland by R Drummond & Son. The knives have green hardstone handles, beautifully shaped, we guess Scottish green agate. The blades are nicely shaped and engraved, the hallmarks (which are excellent on both knives) are camoflagued in the engraving. The blades are blunt, so made for spreading, not for cutting, in the days everyone had their own knife for tea. The backs of both blades are clearly punched "R Drummond & Son, Oban", so we know they were retailed from their jewellery store in Queens Park, Oban. They also had a store in Stirling which traded between 1865 and 1904. Their advert has survived, and reads "Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Opticians". Levesley Brothers worked between 1897 and 1916. The set is perfectly preserved in its original box.

A sterling silver dessert fork in the magnificent Bacchanalian pattern. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it was originally produced by Paul Storr. The fork shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back of the fork is also beautifully decorated, with a masque over a theatre curtain, and tilted amphora of wine. Bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. The fork has original owners engraved initials AMD. The fork is extremely good quality, quite heavy to hold, and the hallmarks are clear. They include makers mark FH for Francis Higgins and London hallmarks for 1846. Bacchanalian pattern is shown in "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where a dessert service made by Wakely and Wheeler is depicted. The pattern was originally designed by Thomas Stothard, the famous painter and designer, for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the Royal silversmiths, in 1812, the first service was used by ...

A set of three Georg Jensen serving implements in the Old Danish # 100 pattern (Dobbelt Triflet) pattern, including serving spoon, gravy ladle and meat fork. The pattern has "undulating outlines and a pair of incised parallel lines, square bowls, the overall proportions are reminiscent of much earlier flatware designs, as the name Old Danish implies" Georg Jensen, A Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 269). The serving spoon is medium sized, the gravy ladle has a deep bowl, and the elegant meat fork has 2 tines. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked "Georg Jensen Sterling Denmark", the mark used after 1945. The Old Danish pattern was designed in 1947 by Harald Nielsen, the Artistic Director who took over from Jensen on his death, "his flatware designs Pyramid and Old Danish remain Jensen favorites (page 57 book above).

A pair of Gorham sterling Medallion serving implements, the first a pastry fork and the second a pickle knife. Both have the medallion motif of a classical femaile looking left, with hair braids, the face is strong. Both are pierced with the "tulip cut", the knife also has bright cut engraving. Both have the original owners initials MMC in Gothic script engraved on the back. Gorham medallion pattern was designed by George Wilkinson in 1864, it is a multi-motif pattern, with 4 different medallion options. Medallion pattern proved popular, it was copied by numerous other firms, but the original Gorham items are most collectable today. The hallmarks are clear on both pieces, and include Gorham makers mark, PAT 1864 and STERLING. Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware market in the USA for 125 years (Gorham Silver, page 50). The medallion pattern was even retailed by Tiffany.

A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tablespoons, tableforks and dessertspoons (6 of each). These are good quality and weight, the forks around 89 grammes each, tablespoons 94 grammes and the dessertspoons 63. All 18 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 18 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870, the tablespoons are 1869. In addition, some pieces carry addit...

An interesting silver tablefork in the Fiddle pattern, with four pseudo hallmarks, clearly struck, but a bit of a mystery. The fork is clearly Fiddle pattern, but with a very flat handle, so uncomfortable to hold, and probably Colonial in origin. The hallmarks are well struck, and include pseudo lion passant looking left, pseudo crowned leopards head town mark (could be floral device?), pseudo date letter and pseudo Georgian duty mark. We have tentatively identified it as Chinese Export, given the style of the pseudo marks, but cannot find this combination of marks (or the q) in the referrence books. This fork needs further research, all comments and feedback welcome.