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 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 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.

A antique silver cigarette case, presented to a South African World War I soldier who won the Military Medal for bravery displayed at Menin Road. The inscription reads "Pte. J.J. Cronje, M.M. 4 SAI, From the Ladies of the Riversdale Red + Soc:, In Appreciation of Bravery Displayed at Menin Road, June 10th 1919". Private Cronje was part of the 4th South African Infantry Regiment, part of the larger South African Brigade, best remembered for their role in the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916, but with battle honours for Egypt, Somme, Delville Wood, Arras, Ypres, Menin Road, Cambrai, Mons and Flanders. The 4th SAI was known as the "South African Scottish", as it was raised from the Cape Town Highlanders and Transvaal Scottish Regiments, with additional recruits from Caledonian societies. Riversdale is a small farming town in the Western Cape province, en route between Cape Town and the Garden Route. We assume for the inscription it was Cronje's home town, and that the ladies of the local Red Cross Society arrange...

A fabulous set of 6 arts and crafts sterling silver teaspoons, made specially for leading Boston retailer Shreve, Crump & Low by Whiting of New York. The spoons are beautiful, the stems are hand hammered (planished) on both the back and front, and have an applied cast silver floral arrangement with flowers, leaves and berries. The bowls are gilded, these are high quality spoons and would have been expensive when new. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked, both with the Whiting lion holding W trademark, and retailers mark "SHREVE. CRUMP & LOW". All 6 spoons are also hallmarked "STERLING". We have not been able to identify this pattern, it does not appear in the Whiting pattern index, so we believe it was specially commissiuoned by Shreve, Crump & Low as an item exclusively available in their store in Boston. Shreve, Crump & Low is the oldest purveyor of luxury goods in USA, having been founded in 1796, it adopted this name in 1869. They still exist today, and describe themselves as "The gem of Boston and America...

An Art Deco silver and bakelite Globe teapot, made in Germany during the 1930's. The teapot is completely spherical, the spout has a triangular opening in the top for opening. The base is a circular bakelite disk, with silver nut which screws onto teapot, the bakelite handle is ear shaped and the bakelite finial is half moon shaped. The teapot is quite small, single serving size. The teapot has 2 hallmarks, 800 purity mark and makers mark of what looks like interlocking SHF in circle (but could be different sequence?).

A Silver Troyan 20 Ounce 999 Fine Silver Medallion, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa (1683-1983). This is a huge medallion, it makes a fabulous paperweight. The front has 2 prospectors with pick and hammer, and reads "Silver Troyan 20 troy ounces 999 fine silver, 1683-1983, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa". The back has the logo of the Asset Exchange, and reads "The gold and hard asset exchange, Johannesburg South Africa". The rim is hallmarked, crowned C, date letter I and No 03334, these are clearly struck. This medallion was the second in a series of 2, in 1982 the Exchange also issued a 20 Ounce 999 silver medallion commemorating 100 years of electricity in South Africa (note this first medallion was not called a troyan). We believe this troyan was part of a limited edition of 10000, we are not sure if the full edition was produced. We are interested in more information about the gold and hard asset exchange, and the origin of the troyan, all assistan...

A very rare Arts & Crafts hand hammered silver sugar bowl, with twin handles, resting on a circular reeded foot. The bowl is by Philip Frederick Alexander, who has been described as "one of the greatest Arts & Crafts silversmiths" (www.antiquesilvercompany.com). The bowl has beautiful spot hammering throughout, leaving a planished appearance, with solid D shaped handles, it is also a pleasing weight. Alexander worked between 1900 and 1920, from Church Row, Hampstead, London. He also lived in Walberswick, Suffolk, both prior and after World War 1. He would have known Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who spent a year in Walberswick during the war. He had a Master of Arts degree from Oxford (unusual for a silversmith), he was also an author of geographical discovery books, including "The Discovery of America and The North West and North East Passages", still available on Amazon (www.styles-silver.co.uk, who also have a few pieces of his work, all unfortunately sold). The hallmarks are excellent, including makers mark...

A set of 24 gilded sterling silver medallions, produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa. The medallions are all in perfect condition, and are beautifully engraved, these are extremely high quality. Each weighs 36.5 grammes, has a proof like finish and is gold plated sterling silver. The complete set comes in original wooden box with red leather top and velvet and silk lined interior. The medallions depict 24 different South African wild animals including: baboon, buffalo, cheetah, crocodile, elephant, fish eagle, giraffe, green mamba, hippopotamus, hyena, impala, jackal, kudu, leopard, lion, oryx, rhinoceros, sable antelope, secretary bird, vervet monkey, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra. The reverse depicts the emblem of the Wildlife Society, a stylised sable antelope, surrounded by "ANNIVERSARY 50 HERDENKING". Each medallion also carries 4 hallmarks, "ET+, STG, antelope head, date letter C, being South African sterling hallmarks made by Africana Mint. T...

An interesting Zambian Arts and Crafts sterling silver and malachite milk jug, sugarbowl and sugar spoon, made by the most prestigious jewellery company in Zambia. The milk jug is in the form of a brandy saucepan (perhaps it is!), with straight sides and a sparrow beak spout, and polished malachite handle. The sugar bowl is spherical, with 4 malachite cabochons as decoration, and 3 curved feet and planished body, very similar in style to Liberty Cymric Archibald Knox pieces (he used turquoise). Both are hand hammered, with planished surface, clearly made by hand, the bowl more noticeable than the jug. The spoon is also lovely, with a malachite pearl in dragons foot finial, rounded handle with a knob for grip, also clearly made by hand. All 3 pieces are hallmarked, firstly with S925 standard mark, and secondly with makers mark KR in Zambian country outline. Klaus Rygaard is a Danish Jeweller and watchmaker, he emigrated to Lusaka, Zambia in 1965, took over a jewellery store, he later established his own goldsm...

A magnificent pair of Arts & Crafts silver Apostle spoons, made by George Henry Hart of the Guild of Handicraft. The spoons are clearly made by hand, with cast finials and hand hammered bowl, with clearly visible hammer marks. The quality of these spoons is fabulous, we love them! The spoons have a stylised beaded rattail, quite unusual, but a lovely feature. The Apostle figure wears a hooded cowl, and has his hands crossed in front of his body. The figure sits on a traditional hexagonal seal top, the stem of the spoon is rounded. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including makers mark "GofH", (without Ltd, in use between 1900 and 1908). The Guild of Handicraft went into liquidation in 1908, the business was continued by George Henry Hart, who designed these spoons, possibly for Prinknash Abbey. The business is still operating today, and run by Julian Hart, great grandson of George Hart (see www.hartsilversmiths.co.uk), in the beautiful village of Chipping Campden, well worth a visit. We rec...

An interesting pair of Indian Colonial silver menu holders, awarded as military trophies by the Viceroy of India. The trophies read "Viceroy's Shield", one is dated 1927 and the other 1930. The holders are in the form of a shield, with a mounted soldier in the centre, surrounded by a highly ornate design of foliage, flowers, bamboo and scrolls. The shields have an attached clip at the back, to hold a menu or nametag at a dinner table, and they stand on a secure rectangular silver base with rounded front. Please note the size and weight of these items, they are larger and heavier than most menu holders we see, the quality is excellent. Both are engraved on the rear with the recipients details, "B" Right Sergt A.H. Greatrex" (he was a Lance Corporal in 1927). Close inspection of the shields shows they are similar but not identical, which leads us to believe they were made by hand, with the silversmith copying a design (presumably the original Viceroy's Shield). Note the slight differences in the soldier, also t...

An antique silver nutcracker, quite a rare item as nutcrackers are usually silver plate, occasionally with silver handles, this example is solid silver, so quite an extravagance in it's day. The nutcracker is the usual form, with 2 handles connected with an extremely strong hinge, the arms are reversible, so can be turned around to accommodate different sized nuts. The cracking portion is oval in shape, with textured sides to hold nut firmly in place, with rectangular hole to allow shell to pass through. The handles are rounded, with balls on the ends. These are good quality nutcrackers, quite heavy at just under 200 grammes, and very suitable for use. Both arms and the hinge are clearly hallmarked. William Comyns & Sons was an important firm of manufacturing silversmiths, established in 1859, they supplied many of the leading retailers, including Tiffany, Thornhills of New Bond Street, and Carringtons, Wilson & Gill and Goldsmiths & Silversmiths of Regent Street (Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pa...

An Arts & Crafts English sterling silver cream or milk jug, at first glance it looks Scandinavian in design, with beautiful clean lines. This is typical of Eric Clements style, he is best remembered for his award winning Mappin and Webb tea and coffee service (this jug is a similar but different design). The jug is a delight to use, it pours beautifully. The hallmarks are excellent, and include "Designed by Eric Clements" facsimile signature, and "Mappin & Webb". Eric Clements is one of the 50 leading silversmiths profiled in the book "Designer British Silver, 1930-1985", by Andrew & Styles, a book which we highly recommend. "Clements was unusual in that he designed silver, and then had the designs manufactured by a craftsman, most silversmiths prefer to produce their own designs. He also had a dual career as educator and designer, he spent most of his career as Head of Industrial Design at Birmingham College of Art. Alongside his academic career he was consultant designer for Mappin and Webb, it is his desig...

A lovely set of 12 Art Deco Dutch silver knife rests, in excellent condition and a very pleasing weight. They are classic angular Art Deco design, quite pleasing on the eye. All 12 are hallmarked with makers mark V over half moon, and the Dutch silver single sword mark (1906-1953), used on small work. This is the makers mark of Zilverfabriek Voorschoten, a mark used by Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today. These knife rests would also be suitable for sushi chopsticks.

A very rare set of 6 sterling silver shellfish (or lobster) forks, we have never seen another set. The forks have 2 sharp and longer tines, with a third shorter and fatter tine, this tine also has a sharp edge for cutting. The forks are engraved with Gothic initial "B". This very specific design, for a very specific purpose, we believe to be extremely rare, nothing similar is recorded in the book "Silver Flatware" by Ian Pickford, who depicts and describes a great variety of silver eating implements. The forks are good quality, and as mentioned above, in excellent condition - they are so appealing I am tempted to go and purchase a lobster straight away so I can test them! All 6 forks are clearly hallmarked with Sheffield marks for 1931, and distinctive makers mark W&G in wavy topped escutcheon punch (Poole, Identifying Antique British Silver, pg 15), this maker worked between 1907 and 1941, possibly Wilson and Gill (www.britishmakersmarks.co.uk). The original box has the retailers mark "T.S. Cuthbert, Watch ...

A rectangular silver tray, beautifully engraved with a picture of the Frigate HMS (His Majesty's Ship) Broadsword, showing very realistic detail, including the flag. The engraving is superb, very fine detail of the ship, and good texturing of the clouds and sea. The tray has loop handles in the same reeded pattern as the applied rim. The tray is good quality, and was retailed by Asprey of London. The hallmarks are clear, except makers mark which is partially worn. "Asprey London" is stamped on the base. HMS Broadsword was a destroyer of the "Weapons" or "Battleaxe" class, it was built in 1944 and launched in 1946. Designed for antisubmarine warfare, she saw extensive service including USA, Malta and the Iceland Patrol. She was retired in 1964, but her name lives on in later ships. HMS Broadsword has an association (www.hmsbroadsword.co.uk, where we sourced the 2 original photo's of HMS Broadsword in action) and is affiliated with the city of Chester.

Beautiful, reversible blue enamel pendant and choker, designed by Bjorn Sigurd Ostern for David Andersen. The pendant is reversible, and looks remarkably different when worn the different ways. It hangs very well, and is most striking when worn. The choker is original, and is also silver. Ostern was the chief designer for Andersen between 1961 and 1985. The pendant is clearly hallmarked, David-Andersen, Norway Sterling 925S, INV.B.S.O., and the choker is also hallmarked Andersen and 925S.

Beautiful Italian silver polo trophy, in the shape of a bowl. The bowl is a very good weight, and has an interesting pierced scrolling rim, and cast leaf - capped cabriole legs. It is engraved with a crest of crossed polo sticks and "Roma Polo Club". The hallmarks are clear, being 800 standard, dancing horse, makers mark and the Republican period and province mark (280 MI). The bowl has an interesting provenance, being purchased from the estate of the late Countessa Alessandra Brenciaglia. The trophy was won by Conte Carlo Brenciaglia (father of Alessandra) circa 1935, a champion polo player. The Brenciaglia family castle is La Rocca in Capodimonte, and the family history shows the Brenciaglia's related to Napoleon Bonaparte (thanks to Sandi Brenciaglia for information).

An antique silver picture frame, in Art Nouveau form, depicting 3 farm workers in the fields cutting hay with scythes, with a village church in the background, with the motto "Peace hath her victories, Milton". The quote by Milton (1608-1674) apparently in a letter to Lord General Cromwell, is the first line of a sonnet "Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war". This line is amongst the most remembered of Milton's work. The hallmarks are small but clear, and the frame also has a registration number (to protect the design being copied). This frame has a new black velvet backing professionally done, the original velvet backings on these antique picture frames is often in very poor condition. With the new backing, this frame is suitable for daily use and display.