Unusual set of 6 Arts and Crafts coffee spoons, made by Liberty, each set with different semi precious stones - malachite, amethyst, sodalite, turquoise, garnet and a green stone we cannot identify. The spoons are still in their original box, showing they were retailed by Mappin and Webb, Regent St, London. The spoons were made the year after Liberty closed their Cymric business (1901 - 1926), which was a partnership with William Haseler. The hallmarks are very clear on all spoons.

An Art Deco Sterling silver trophy, beautifully engraved with the crest of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment, and unusually for Regimental silver, in excellent condition. The trophy stands on its original wooden base, with circular plaque with makers mark Mappin & Webb. The trophy is small but beautifully proportioned, with Art Deco handles. The engraving is also very crisp and clear, the hallmarks are also clearly visible. The Transvaal Scottish Regiment was established in 1902 at the end of the Anglo Boer war by John Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl, original members were Scottish volunteers. They served with distinction in both World Wars, including El Alamein. They still exist today, but in 2019 were renamed the Solomon Mahlangu Regiment, to reflect South Africa's freedom struggle. The regiment still wears Murray of Atholl Regimental tartan.

A lovely set of 6 Rat-tail Hanoverian coffee spoons with gilded bowls, and matching sugar tongs. These spoons have wavy rat-tails, a very unusual feature we have not seen before. The arms of the tongs are modeled as matching spoons, complete with the wavy rat-tail. Hallmarks on all 7 items are clear. Harry Synyer and Charles Beddoes worked between 1897 and 1949, from Vyse Street, Birmingham.

A private die silver Victorian dessert fork, made by Elkington & Co in 1898. The fork is an excellent gauge, over 60 grammes, a good quality fork. It is double struck with a variant of Kings pattern, but with an ornate scrolling design below the raised family crest. The crest is a griffin holding a branch with leaves in its beak, described as "Griffin's head erased argent holding in the baek a sprig or rose branch proper", this is the Watson family crest. This branch of the Watson family came from Silsden, Yorkshire, descendants of Rowland Watson, Silsden Moor late 16th century. The hallmarks are very clear. Private die flatware was individually commissioned with the family crest die-stamped rather than engraved on a stock pattern (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 173. Most 19th century private die patterns were supplied through Hunt & Roskell to members of the peerage and other wealthy clients. Pickford describes these as "fascinating, but obviously impossible to build into services". Note - this fork is acco...

Set of 3 gilt spoons (caddy, sugar sifter and jam) with exquisite decoration in the style of the Aesthetic Movement. This movement flourished in the period 1865 - 1885, after the International Exhibition in London led to a an interest in Japanese decorative arts. The decoration consists of abstract patterns of bamboos, birds and butterflies. Original silk lined box, and very clear hallmarks.

A pair of antique silver whisky noggins, also called Chota Pegs. The noggins are the traditional conical shape, with cut glass star base, glass handle and silver pouring collar and lid with thumb piece. The hallmarks are clear on both the rim and the lid of both noggins. Whisky noggins were popular in Edwardian times, they contain a 1 gill (30 ml) measure, so a generous double tot, and were made to be taken to bed. They were also popular amongst British expats in India during the Raj period, where they were called "Chota Peg", or little drink, also "go to bed" drink. Joshua and John Maxfield, founded in 1855 in Sheffield, were celebrated at the Jewellers Exhibition of 1913 for "the extent and variety of novelties which they have placed on the market" Culme, Gold & Silversmiths pg 319. They had a showroom in London's Regent Street so must have been a prestigious firm.

A sterling silver wine taster made by Anthony Elson, one of the 50 leading silversmiths featured in the book "Designer British Silver 1930-1985" by Andrew and Styles, a book we highly recommend. The wine taster has the traditional circular bowl with raised base, and a lovely cast silver handle of textured vine branches, with some pruned ends. The handle is a delight to hold, the thumb rests easily and the grip is secure, so very suitable for use. The taster is clearly hallmarked, including makers mark A.G.E, and also has an engraved number 278 on the base (we know this taster was a limited edition commissioned by the Heritage Collection in 1976, so perhaps each is individually numbered). Anthony Gordon Elson trained under Dunstan Pruden, he worked for William Comyns from 1964-1968 before establishing his own operation, ecclesiastical goods and also limited editions for leading retailers, including Asprey, Spink, Hennell's and Garrards, this taster is one of these. After the boom (he had around 30 staff) creat...

A set of 6 sterling silver grapefruit spoons in the Kings pattern, double struck, in excellent condition, they appear unused. The spoons are very ggood quality and weight, over 30 grammes each, and the hallmarks are excellent on all 6 spoons. Cooper Brothers was established in 1866, they were successful manufacturers, eventually being sold in 1983. The original box has a label that reads "Bracher & Sydenham, Queen Victoria Street, Reading, est 1790", the firm has a long and illustrious history, and still operates today after being acquired by Goldsmiths chain in 1974. They received a Royal warrant from King Edward VII, who visited the shop personally. Note - 5 spoons are 1966, one is 1965, so made over the date letter change.

A fabulous sterling silver letter opener, with an impressive cast silver Leopard's head, the detail is superb. The letter blade has well struck large hallmarks along the front, these form part of the decoration. The quality is excellent, it has a lovely feel in the hand, and when you leave it on your desk you cannot resist picking it up. The animal may not be a leopard, my wife suggested Jaguar, please see the photograph's.

A rat tail Hanoverian pattern tablespoon, with clear hallmarks. The spoon the traditional rat tail used before 1730, the Hanoverian rib on the front of the stem, and original owners engraved initials W*C on the back of the stem, as is usual for 18th century spoons. 3 hallmarks are very clear, the crowned leopards head has excellent detail. The makers mark W.S in oval punch is partially worn, the W slightly worn. William Soame was freed in 1720, he was a largeworked, he died in 1772, after being retired "many years". (Grimwade page 665, mark 3295).

A Royal Navy Gold Officers Sweetheart brooch, with gold pin and clasp in full working order. The cast badge has the Royal Navy fouled anchor under Crown, surrounded by laurel wreath, the badge has good detail. No hallmarks are present, but we are certain the pin is solid gold (we assume 9 carat).

A set of three sterling silver items, namely ladle, saltspoon and butterknife, in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear on all 3 items. The ladle is a pleasing size and weight,108 grammes, the quality is excellent on all 3 items. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.

An interesting Arts & Crafts silver 2 pronged fork, hallmarked by Harry Warmington of the Guild of Handicraft, run by the Hart's of Chipping Campden. The fork has 2 flat tines, with shaped ends replicating an earlier style, the handle has 2 bumps, similar to Scottish Fiddle pattern of the 18th century. The fork is hand hammered, as you would expect from this studio, with individual hammer marks visible, and is engraved with initial T (also done by hand). The fork has a pleasant feel, and would be very suitable for serving cold meats. Harry Warmington was "an integral member of the Guild of Handicraft workshop for some 50 years, he was one of the best silversmiths to have worked in Campden, he was also a fine engraver. Despite his abilities, he never applied to become a Freeman of the Goldsmith's Company",quote from the book "The Harts of Chipping Campden, pg 31. Harry was recruited by George Hart in 1912 from the local grammar school, he joined the infantry in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I, then the Roy...

An interesting silver caddy spoon made to commemorate the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana in 1981. This is a lovely caddy spoon, quite heavy, excellent quality, and with a very pleasing design. The bowl is circular with stylised Prince of Wales feathers with Royal crown and motto "ICH DIEN". The handle is rectangular with diamond lozenge with the Spencer family Coat of Arms, 3 scallop shells between 2 devices, above Spencer family motto "Dieu Defend Le Droit", translated "God defend the right". The back of the handle is engraved "Des A. G. Styles, Garrard & Co Ltd, 42". It is also engraved with the name "George Ware" underneath the hallmarks, which are clear (we assume a previous owner). Alex Styles was one of Britain's leading silver designers of the 20th century, he spent most of his career as lead designer at Garrards, the Royal silversmiths, until he retired in 1987. The Times newspaper described him as "the finest designer of hand made silver in England" in 1966. He served with the RAF duri...

A very fine Edwardian silver replica of a Baluster Seal Top spoon, made by Crichton Brothers, who were the leading British dealers of their time, with 3 Royal appointments. The spoon is very good quality, and a pleasing size and weight, a pleasure to use. The seal top is engraved with initial H, this spoon was probably a Christening present. Lionel Alfred Crichton, 1890-1938, was known for it's fine quality replica silver, see our photo of their advertisement. Lionel Crichton also set auction records for silver purchases in 1914, he paid the record sum of 5600 pounds at Christies for a silver standing salt, dated 1508 (Henry VIII), from Lord Ashburnham's collection. This spoon could be a copy of the "massive and heavy baluster sealtop, London 1592", depicted in "English and Scottish Silver Spoons", Volume 1, pg 236, by Commander How. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark LAC.

A magnificent silver cigarette case, of exceptional quality, one of the finest we have seen. It is rectangular, and decorated with very finely engraved scrolling foliage on a stippled background, which is most attractive. The case has a gilt interior, and the original elastic bands. The case has a circular cartouche, decorated with the Hayes family crest, an attractive lion holding a standard with the motto "Renovate Animos", translated "Renew your Courage". The original owners name, "William Andrew Hayes" is engraved underneath the crest. The hallmarks are very clear, even the clasp knob is hallmarked, a sign of quality. Deakin & Francis, who still exist today after being founded in 1786, are known for their high quality small silverware.

A lovely 9 carat gold music prize medallion, decorated with crisp and finely detailed musical instruments, including a harp, violin, trombone, oboe and clarinet, complete with sheets of music. The medallion is engraved "SFCC EISTEDDFOD, 1922, SENr Piano Solo, 1st Prize, Miss M Butt". The engraving has been done by hand. The medallion is attached to a gold link by scrolling foliage. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark T&S, 9 ct gold hallmarks, Birmingham town mark and date letter for 1922. The ring also has gold hallmarks.

A good set of early Old English tablespoons, with narrow elegant handles characteristic of the earlier Old English pattern. These spoons also have the initial B, and very clear hallmarks. These spoons all have the rare incuse duty mark (George III looking left), which was only in use for 18 months. As can be seen from the photographs, these marks are well struck and remain crisp, with no wear. George Smith was a prolific spoonmaker, this period predates his partnership with William Fearn (1786), the firm later became Eley and Fearn.

Elegant, plain, oval shaped boat shaped salts with beaded rim, on an oval pedestal. Interiors are gilt. Very clear hallmarks. These are good quality salts by a well regarded maker.

Beautiful, solid, engine turned box with vacant cartouche. Excellent hinge and very snug closure. This box is a very good weight and slightly larger than other snuffboxes. Attractive thumbpiece and gilt interior.