A very interesting commemorative silver serving spoon, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Samuel Crompton who died in 1827. Crompton was an inventor who invented the spinning mule, he is regarded as a pioneer of the British spinning industry, which contributed greatly to the industrial revolution. This is a lovely spoon, very good quality and weight, ideal for serving. The hallmarks are excellent, and are accompanied by a registration mark, Rd 727476, indicating the spoon design was registered at the patent office. The spoon is also stamped "Preston's Ltd". Prestons of Bolton is a jewellery store founded in 1869, it still exists today, and is regarded as the "Diamond Centre of the North". Crompton was born, lived and died in Bolton.

A delightful silver Christening present, consisting of a boxed set containing child's spoon and pusher, decorated with a scene from the "This little piggy" nursery rhyme. The spoon bowl shows a pig complete with straw hat, in a donkey drawn cart, with trees, hills and birds in the background, along with inscription "This little pig went to market". The detail is lovely, as can be seen in the photos. Both handles are decorated with the same flower and scroll pattern. The hallmarks on both are very clear, and include a registration number "Rd No 348578", indicating the design was registered to prevent copying by other firms. Levi & Salaman was established in 1870, and was merged into Barker Brothers in 1921 (Culme, Directory Gold and Silversmiths). They were highly regarded, particularly for good quality souvenir spoons. An interesting story is that one of their spoons saved a soldiers life in WWI when it deflected a bullet, this spoon was viewed by the Queen at the British Industries Fair in 1915 (Culme).

A lovely silver belt buckle, decorated with a mother of pearl flower with purple, white and orange colours, which change colour as it catches the light. The buckle is also engraved with leaves and flowers in bright cut fashion. The buckle has Birmingham hallmarks, with makers or retailers mark "FHA Ld" overstriking other marks, including the date letter. FH Adams used this mark between 1908 and 1915, they worked from New John Street. Given the style of decoration and lovely mother of pearl work, it is possible the buckle is continental in origin, and received Birmingham marks after import into Britian.

A lovely Irish silver torque, hand crafted with clearly visible hand hammered marks. This is a neck torque (as opposed to a bangle torque intended for a wrist). Torques are a traditional Celtic design. Padraig O'Mathuna worked from the lovely town of Cashel in Tipperary. Cashel is the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster.

A Boer War "sweetheart brooch" in 15 carat gold, so we assume the sweetheart was an officer. The brooch carries the badge of an Infantry Regiment, the 19th (County of London) Battalion, St Pancras. It is engraved "South Africa, 1899 - 1902". The gold has a reddish colour, whcih contrasts well with the red and blue enamel. It is lovely quality, even the clasp and pin are in 15 ct gold. Both the brooch and pin are stamped "15ct", these are the only hallmarks. 15 ct gold was only used in Britian between 1854 and 1932, when the 15 ct and 12 ct standards were replaced by 14 carat.

A Cape Colony National Rifle Association silver shooting trophy, the Inter Colonial Grand Challenge Shield. The shield is mounted on its original wooden stand, with brass hinge, it also has an additional silver plaque on the back that is engraved "The Grand Challenge Shield 1945". The shield has lovely detail, 6 flags divided by Kings crown, above a ribbon that reads "CAPE COLONY NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION". Below that, the Cape Colony coat of arms with female herald supporters, blowing trumpets. To the right and left Zulu shields and spears above crossed rifles, all above a shooting range scene, with seated adjudicator and spectator with binoculars, surrounded by laurel wreath. The base has a cartouche which reads "INTER COLONIAL GRAND CHALLENGE SHIELD". This shield is also found in white metal and copper, this is a sterling silver version, with a full set of clear hallmarks. It is listed in Laidlaw (Commemorative Medals of South Africa, 1017), it was first produced by Mappin & Webb between 1902 and 1910. Ev...

A set of 6 rat tail trefid coffee spoons, reproductions of a 17th century style, but just a few years short of being antique themselves. The spoons are in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used. The original box reads "Wilson & Gill, The Goldsmiths, 139 Regent Street, London W", under a crown. Wilson and Gill was established in 1892, it still trades today as Hester Clarke (www.hesterclarke.co.uk), run by the 5th generation descendants. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons, including makers mark TB&S for Thomas Bradbury & Sons, a leading Sheffield manufacturer.

A set of 6 sterling silver coffee spoons with matching sugar spoon in original box, with stylised Celtic dogs head finials. The spoons are plain but quite striking with the stylised finial. These spoons have been described as birds and snakes, we prefer the Celtic dog description - all assistance welcome as to the origin of these spoons. All seven spoons are clearly hallmarked, some for 1926 and some for 1927.

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 hallmarks are beautiful, large and well struck, they form part of the decoration. 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. The fork comes in it's original box, with pickle fork explanatory card, and expalnation of the hallmarks. A real talking point for your dinner table. This fork is identical to S 1568 which we have already sold, and S1808.

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. The fork comes in it's original box, with label "V.K. Chapman, Jeweller & Silversmith, 104 South St, St. Andrews", A real talking point for your dinner table. This fork is identical to S 1568 which we have already sold, made 2 years later.

An Ilias Lalaounis "Greek Gold" Arts & Crafts silver beaker, in 900 silver and gilded with a deep golden colour, with hand hammered planished surface. The beaker is a delight to hold, it is bulbous in shape, with flat bottomed base. This beaker (or small vase) is part of Lalaounis's Archaeological collection, where he made replicas of ancient Greek art, this piece dates to the Cycladic period, 3000B.C. The beaker is clearly hallmarked with Lalaounis makers mark and 900 silver standard mark. The beaker is also accompanied with it's original guarantee certificate, where it is described as a "silver gold plated cigarette vase of Cycladic Period 3000 B.C." This certificate shows a number of Lalaounis outlets, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu in Greece, but also Geneva, Zurich, Liberty's in London Regent Street, France, Vienna and Brussels - showing how successful Lalaounis was. Lalaounis opened a store in New York in 1979, so we know this certificate predates 1979. Wikipedia records that Lalaounis was internatio...

An interesting set of 6 sterling silver rat tail Hanoverian pattern teaspoons, retailed by Liberty, made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, with hallmarks from 6 different towns - London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Chester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The spoons have engraved owners initials J&J. All 6 spoons also have the optional coronation mark used in 1952 and 1953. All of the hallmarks are well struck and excellent, note the different style makers mark for Roberts & Belk used on the London spoon. The spoons are in original box (note condition and water damage from photos), exterior reads "British Hallmarks", interior reads "Liberty, British Hallmarks, London Leopards Head. Birmingham anchor, Sheffield crown, Chester three sheaves with sword, Glasgow Tree, Edinburgh castle", with pictures of the hallmarks. This set would make an excellent gift to a young collector interested in hallmarks.

A pair of lovely steam train sterling silver spoons, depicting the Rovos Rail steam train and wagons of Southern Africa. The spoons have good detail, and show steam train, caol wagon, water wagon and passenger compartment. The passenger wagon has engraved initials RVR for Rovos Rail (see www.rovos.com), the spoons have teaspoon sixed bowls but the handles are longer. The handles are cast silver and pierced. Both spoons are hallmarked with makers mark "C.M" for Cape Mint, and also "SIL" for sterling silver. We assume the spoons were made to commemorate the opening of Rovos Rail in 1986. Rovos Rail is a luxury rail service operating in Southern Africa, the Pride of Africa has been described as the "most luxurious train in the world".

A set of six Art Deco sterling silver grapefruit spoons, in perfect condition. The spoons have fluted bowls, with strong tips for digging into grapefruit, the bowls are also gilded. The finials are pierced, the design looks like a stylised Fleur-De-Lys, reminds us of a Gothic arch. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks.

A set of Edwardian replica Apostle spoons, with gilded Apostles and gilded fig shaped bowls, in original felt and silk lined box. The spoons are quite large, suitable for use as serving spoons. The practise of reproducing earlier styles of silver was common at the turn of the century. These spoons are very fine quality. The Apostles appear to be: 1. The Master (Saviour) with orb and cross. 2. St Peter with key. 3. St James the Greater with pilgrims staff. 4. St Matthew with purse. We are not sure of the significance of a boxed set of 4 Apostles, perhaps originally a Christening present. Wakely and Wheeler (originally Lias & Son) were manufacturing silversmiths, who supplied many leading dealers in their day. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are clear.

Plain silver piecrust waiter by Asprey, of exceptional quality, as you would expect from Asprey. The waiter has 3 feet, very clear hallmarks, and is also stamped "Asprey London, J". It is a good weight, and in excellent condition.

Beautiful christening set (boxed spoon and fork) with Hey diddle diddle nursery rhyme, in original box. Exquisite detail, as can be seen from the photographs. Spoon bowl shows detail of complete nursery rhyme. The shafts have a dog, the cow jumping the moon and the cat (who has mysteriously switched from a fiddle to a cello!). Levi and Salaman were well known for their large selection of intricate souvenir spoons. Very clear hallmarks.

A sterling silver trophy spoon for the Bull-Terrier Club, which would have been commissioned by the club to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The spoon is teaspoon size, the quality and condition are excellent, the front of the bowl still has it's original gilding. The spoon has a well modelled bull-terrier, surrounded by "THE BULL-TERRIER CLUB". The hallmarks, which are struck in the front of the bowl, are very clear. The Bull-Terrier collar has initials BH, we assume the artist who designed the spoon. The Bull Terrier Club of the UK still exists today, it was founded in 1887, it's website describes it as the oldest and largest of it's type in the world. I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!

A delightful antique silver Christening present, a child's feeding spoon decorated with a scene from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, depicting Captain Hook, complete with hook and pistol, running away from the crocodile, with the Jolly Roger pirate ship in the background. The handle, which forms a circle (traditional baby feeding spoon), is also decorated with Peter Pan playing his flute, and 2 scenes with rabbits. The detail is lovely, as can be seen in the photos. The hallmarks are very clear, and include a registration number "Rd No 611912", indicating the design was registered to prevent copying by other firms. Levi & Salaman was established in 1870, and was merged into Barker Brothers in 1921 (Culme, Directory Gold and Silversmiths). They were highly regarded, particularly for good quality souvenir spoons. They made a number of variations of these nursery rhyme spoons, including "this little pig (S 1535) and "hey diddle diddle (S120) featured on our website. They also made a "little miss muffet" version.

An interesting German silver coin dish, with a German 3 Mark silver coin set in the centre of the circular dish. The coin is a special issue by the city of Hamburg, the front has the Hamburg city armorial (3 turreted castle supported by lions, it has lovely detail), and city motto "FREIE UND HANSESTADT HAMBURG", the obverse has German eagle and "DEUTSCHES REICH 1911 DREI MARK". The bowl is also engraved "UBERSEE-KAFFEE, Hamburg", Ubersee Kaffee (translated Overseas Coffee) was a large German coffee business focussed on the export market, we assume this was a corporate gift. Given the size of their building it must have been a substantial business (see photo). The hallmarks are clear, the German silver half moon and crown used after 1888, 835 standard mark, and a script makers mark von Hafen, for Juwelier von Hafen, a Hamburg Jeweller established in 1902, they still exist today, specializing in jewelry with a nautical theme.