A rare Liberty Cymric toothbrush, with silver handle set with two turquoise cabochons, and wooden (ebony) toothbrush set with bristles. The hallmarks are clear, including L&Co makers mark, but the CYMRIC mark is not present (as is usual on small items). This toothbrush matches the Liberty Cymric vanity set (S1360).
Beautiful pair of plain Cape tablespoons, with very clear makers mark. Both these spoons have the initial H lightly engraved on the back of the spoon shafts.
A Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with a rare makers mark. The spoon has engraved initials CJP, these are original and Colonial, the P slants at an angle. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark DH in serrated punch, surrounded by 2 circular punch devices, Welz mark 56. The serrated edge was not shown by Welz, but it is shown by Heller Vol II, page 122, mark NMM 19. This is significant as no other Cape silversmith used a serrated edge punch. Daniel Hockly is one of the few Cape silversmiths trained prior to arrival in the Cape, whose work is known from both areas. Hockly trained in London, was registered as a smallworker in 1810, and is known for high quality wine labels (Grimwade mark 470, 473, page 548). He emigrated to the Cape in 1819, one of the "1820 Settlers", he arrived in Algoa Bay (now Port Elizabeth) in 1820 on board the SS Chapman, with 256 other settlers, his wife Elizabeth and 3 children, their 4th child Fanny Chapman was born onboard. The family remained in the Eastern Cape, spending ti...
A silver bowl bearing the crest of The Kings Royal Rifle Corps, complete with motto "Celer et Audax" (Swift and Bold). The bowl (or possibly ashtray, although we cannot imagine putting ash into such a lovely bowl) is well made, in Arts and Crafts style with hand hammered marks giving lovely texture. The crest is detailed, and has the initials EMV of the silversmith. The date 1914 is significant, being the start of the "Great War", now known as World War I, so was probably made to commemorate the departure of the Corps to the Western Front. The Corps, known today as the "Green Jackets", was expanded to 22 battalions during the war. As riflemen, they were in the thick of trench warfare, and earned 8 Victoria Crosses, but paid the price with the loss of 12824 men.
A sterling silver medallion commemorating the 50 year anniversary of the South African Teachers Union (Suid Afrikaanse Onderwys Unie) IN 1955. The front of the medallion shows Cape Town's Table Mountain under clouds, with KAAPSTAD engraved underneath, the reverse has S.A.O.U above a scroll with the dates 1905-1955. The medallion has a loop so it can be worn as a pendant. This is a beautiful medallion, excellent quality and in very fine condition. The medallion is clearly hallmarked with the South African Lion above U, STG sterling mark, date letter gothic h for 1955, and makers mark SAM for South African Mint. The SAOU still exists today, with branches in all 9 provinces, representing South African teachers, unfortunately their website does not explain it's history or this beautiful medallion.
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...
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. it also has 2 family crests, the top a griffiths head and wings, the Montagu family crest, the second is a peacock in pride, the crest of John Manners, 8th Earl of Rutland of Haddon Hall, the owner of the original fork. The original, made in 1632, is known as the Manners Fork, and is in the V&A museum in London. This fork is a good gauge, very pleasing to use, we tested it on cold meats and olives! The hallmarks are excellent, and include the optional Jubilee mark, used in 1934 and 1935. A real talking point for your dinner table. Note: - we now have another example of this fork, S 1808, in original box.
An interesting armorial silver spoon, with armorial of Robert Burns, who is widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland, also "Scotland's Favourite Son", also voted "Greatest Scot of all Time" (Wikipedia). Burns night is celebrated on 25 January, with haggis on the menu, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne". The armorial features a seeded holly bush, under shepherds pipe and crook, with a woodlark perched on a sprig of bay tree, and "Wood Notes Wild" from Milton's Allegro. The bottom of the shield has the motto "Better a wee bush than nae bield" (a small bush is better than no shelter at all), which Burns used to seal his letters.
A Swedish silver spoon, commemorating the Goteborg Jubilee Exhibition of 1923, celebrating 300 years since the city was founded. The spoon has the bust of the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus The Great, who was King between 1611 and 1632, he founded Sweden as a great power, and was a great military commander. November 6 is still celebrated in Sweden as Gustavus Adolphus day. The spoon has a large, deep fig shaped bowl, the stem reads "1923 Goteborg", the finial has a circular bust of the King, surrounded by flowers and scrolls. The spoon has clear hallmarks, the Swedish 3 crown National mark, S sterling silver standard mark, date letter M8 for 1938, and Stockholm city mark (kings head), along with C.G. HALLBERG makers mark. We are not sure how to reconcile the 1923 date with it's 1938 production date, we can only assume it was still in demand. CG Hallberg was a prominent Swedish Goldsmith, jeweler to the Swedish court, and one of the top firms in Sweden in the early 20th century.
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. A real talking point for your dinner table. Note: - we now have another example of this fork, S 1808, also in original box
A lovely replica 16th century spoon, made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The spoon has a gilded royal crown finial, traditional fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem, and the Royal Coat of Arms on the back of the bowl. The Royal Coat of Arms has the motto " Dieu et Mon Droit", translated "God and my Right". The spoon is very good quality, as you would expect from Mappin & Webb, who hold a Royal warrant, and has a lovely feel. The hallmarks are excellent, with the Sheffield rose townmark in the bowl, as is usual on 16th century spoons. The spoon also has an additional hallmark, the Queen's jubilee mark, which was only used in 1977. This spoon would make a very suitable Christening present.
A Russian silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with very clear hallmarks, including town mark for Tallinn (now Estonia). The town mark is a shield containing 3 lions, and was used between 1842 and 1920 (Watts, Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks). The assay masters mark is very clear (YaN), the mark is recorded by Watts but unknown (pg 89). The makers mark CRH for Carl Reinhold Hefftler is very clear (we previously had this incorrectly identified as Rubert Hermann). The spoon has scripted initials "G et WP" on the front, and "H&TJ" on the back next to the hallmarks.
A silver figure depicting "The Trusty Servant" of Winchester College, one of the oldest and most prestigious of English public schools. The figure is well engraved, with lovely detail. A picture of the Trusty Servant hangs in the kitchen of Winchester College. The figure is dressed in Windsor uniform and wig, and has a pigs head, donkey ears, padlocked jaw, deers feet, sword and collection of household implements. These refer to "desirable attributes of a servant", padlocked jaw (to keep secrets), stags feet (swift errands), household implements (to work hard) and sword (to protect master). We are not sure what the figure was intended for (it has no stand or attachments), but is probably intended as a bookmark, or could be added to a trophy or adapted as menu holder.
Lovely set of Art Deco cakeforks, of good quality and gauge, suitable for everyday use. The town, sterling and date marks are clear on all forks, the makers mark is poorly struck and only faintly visible, but still identifiable as Lanson Ltd, who used this mark between 1933 and 1961.
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 (preserve) fork in the Fiddle pattern, with 3 tines. The only hallmark is the makers mark J.B which is clear, mark 16 in Cape Silver by Welz. Beyleveld was born in the Cape in 1792, he worked from Waterkant and Loop Street.
A lovely set of replica laceback rattail trefid spoons, decorated in traditional style, both on the front of the stems and the back of the bowls. The rattail is ribbed, the scrolls are elaborate, and the terminals have the traditional notched pattern. These spoons are Brittania standard (950 grade vs. 925 of sterling), as is often the case with early 20th century replica silver. These spoons are very good quality, and the hallmarks are very clear on all 6 spoons.
Pleasant set of Scottish Fiddle pattern tablespoons, of very good weight and by a well known maker. Extremely clear hallmarks on all spoons.
Art Deco sugartongs with a classic cast silver deco design on both arms. The tongs are well made, and feel heavy and solid to hold. The hallmarks are clear, and a facsimile Charles Boyton signature is also present. Boyton broke away from the family firm of Charles Boyton & Sons Ltd in 1934, setting up his own business emulating Omar Ramsden in the "decorative style". A number of pieces by Charles Boyton are featured in the book " A Personal Touch - The Seawolf Collection, late 19th and 20th century silver, pages 126-130", published by Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Rotterdam (which we highly recommend). He opposed the industrial methods of the family firm, and established a craft workshop, where hand made objects were engraved with his signature. He was inspired by Georg Jensen and Jean Puiforcat.
A pretty boxed silver butter knife and jam spoon, with lovely terminal design, which has been cut out by hand. Both pieces are good quality and in excellent condition, they do not appear to have been used. The hallmarks are clear on both. This would make a lovely wedding present.
