A Cape silver snuff box, with an intriguing later inscription with both Bedfordshire and Boer War connections. The snuff box is rectangular with a shell thumb piece, and has typically Cape wriggle work engraving around the sides, which is worn from use. The interior is gilded, and has a later engraved inscription "Frank Pym from Frank Shuttleworth Xmas 1911". The box has a very clear JML makers mark on the lid. The box is well made, has very pleasing snug closure, very suitable for use. Frank Shuttleworth (of Old Warden, Biggleswade) was High Sherriff of Bedfordshire in 1891, he was followed by Francis Pym (of Hassells Hall, Sandy) in 1903. Shuttleworth (Colonel) raised the Bedfordshire Imperial Yeomanry in 1901 for service in the Boer War, we assume he acquired this Cape Silver snuffbox during his service in South Africa, answering the question why a Cape silver snuffbox has a Bedfordshire inscription. The Bedfordshire Yeomanry also served later in both World Wars. The Shuttleworth name today is known due ...

A rare pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels (orange spoons), with an interesting provenance, they featured in the book Cape Silver and Silversmiths by Stephan Welz, pg 93. The spoons are the traditional lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, and triangular terminal, and Cape prick engraving. The spoons have a very elegant shape, the bowls deep and curved, the drop is distinctly v shaped, they have a lovely feel in the hand. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IL in rectangular punch for Jan Lotter, and also are punched with initials HB, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Jan Lotter, who died young after a short career (1813-1817), was part of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths, he ma...

A very interesting silver drum salt, designed by Alex Styles and retailed through Garrard, to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the Goldsmiths Company in 1977. The body is decorated with a fabulous interpretation of the Goldsmiths Company Arms, and the dates 1327-1977. The arms (granted in 1571) include quartered leopards head and covered cup with 2 buckles, and a stylized demi-virgin (thought to possibly be Queen Elizabeth I) holding the scales (balances) of Justice and a touchstone, both used for testing precious metals. The armorial is supported by 2 unicorns (representing purity), and the motto JUSTITIA VIRTUTUM REGINA, latin for "Justice is Queen of Virtues". The design has been photo-etched onto the silver, a modern technique which we think does justice to the armorial. The Goldsmiths company is one of the 12 great Livery companies of London, they were granted Royal Charter in 1327. The Leopards head (actually a lion but in 1327 the word for lion and leopard was the same) comes from the Royal standar...

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 rare pair of Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent hallmarks. They include the rare Masonic "Square and Compasses" symbol, the single most identifiable symbol in Freemasonry. This hallmark is very well struck on both spoons. The other hallmarks include makers mark TT for Thomas Lock Townsend (struck twice), and pseudo Georgian duty mark (Kings head) - see Welz, Cape Silver, mark 126. Thomas Lock Townsend arrived in the Cape in 1815, the first of the English silversmiths to arrive. He was followed in 1819 by his half brother John Townsend, who joined him in a brief partnership between 1824 and 1825. Thomas Lock Townsend found business difficult in the Cape, he was declared insolvent in 1819, and when he died in 1849 left insufficient estate to cover his funeral costs. Besides being registered as Goldsmith and Jeweller, he practised as mechanical dentist, lodging house keeper, and had an equipment store and fitting out warehouse (Welz, pg 141) We are selling these 2 spoons individually...

A very fine pair of Georgian silver barrel shaped beakers by the well known Bateman family; Peter, Ann and William. The beakers are patterned as half barrels, complete with individual staves and the hoops to hold them in place. This set is not intended to fit together to form a single barrel, as is sometimes the case with this form, they do not have the push-fit rim, and the crests are both aligned the same way (one crest would have been reversed if intended to fit together). The beakers are very good quality, a satisfying gauge and weight, they have a lovely feel in the hand, suitable for use (with a fine scotch whisky!). Both beakers have an interesting family crest, a dragons head above a Ducal coronet, between feathered wings, the engraving is crisp. This crest can be associated with the Dalton, Draycott and Codrington families. Peter Bateman was Hester Bateman's 2nd son, Ann Bateman was married to his brother Jonathan (who unfortunately died young in 1791), and Willam was the son of Ann and Jonathan. T...

A Cape silver snuff box by Daniel Beets, oval in shape with a three quarter hinged lid, which is well made as it is perfectly flush with the lid, and a small but practical thumbpiece. It is a pleasing design for a snuff box, has a very nice feel in the hand, easy to take in and out of a pocket. This is a fairly rare design for Cape silver snuff boxes, most were rectangular, or had a protruding hinge. This box has been well used, as can be seen from the considerable wear to the engraving, and has been repaired more than once in its lifetime. The lid has remnants of engraved wreath surrounding owners initials and date, no longer legible. The box also has 3 worn engraved stars, typically Cape in style, one either side and on the fixed portion of the lid. The interior has original gilding, a lovely golden yellow colour, quite well preserved on lid and hinge, but only some still present in base and sides, the rest has been lost during repairs. The base shows signs of repairs and splits, so has been re-attached at ...

An early Cape silver Hanoverian pattern soup ladle, by Daniel Heinrich Schmidt, described as the greatest of Cape silversmiths by David Heller (History of Cape Silver). The ladle is a very pleasing gauge, very heavy to hold, and has a long drop. It also has the central Hanoverian rib on the front, and a strong turn up. The ladle is hallmarked with makers mark DHS, which is clear, but struck by a worn punch (mark 174 in Welz, described as unknown by Welz, but now known to be Schmidt's mark). Schmidt had a long career (1768-1811), his makers mark punch must have become worn over time. The second hallmark is larger and circular, but worn, probably the bunch of grapes hallmark often used by Schmidt. the third mark nearby does not appear to be a hallmark, but an imperfection in the silver.

A ceremonial Indian Colonial Victorian silver trowel, used to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of a L.M.S (London Missionary Society) church in India. The trowel is the traditional shape but quite small and dainty, it has a turned wooden handle, and a rounded blade. The handle has a silver band around the handle where it joins the silver blade, this has the same decoration as the blade. The band and top of the trowel is engraved with scrolling flowers, in addition the top of the blade has been finely prick engraved with a flowing pattern (each prick is triangular), probably added by a local craftsman. The trowel has no hallmarks at all. The back of the trowel is engraved "WITH THIS TROWEL A. SPICER ESQ LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE L.M.S. CHURCH AT SUNKE RYDROOG SALEM S. INDIA ON THE 25 th NOVr 1882". As you can see from the photographs, the engraving is very quaint, with uneven sized letters, and words flowing into one another, we assume it was done by a local silversmith who did not speak E...

Two very small Victorian silver vinaigrettes, both very dainty, very similar to S 1697, these are delightful boxes given their detail and size (half the size of usual vinaigrettes). The first is 1842 by Francis Clark, it is rectangular with tartan engraving, and a vacant cartouche for crest or initials. the grille has an attractive floral pattern, the interior gilding is good with some mild oxidation. The hallmarks are good on both base and lid, the grille is hallmarked as well. The second is 1866 by Frederick Marson, rectangular with engine turned engraving and vacant cartouche, this also has a silver ring attachment. The grille has a a floral engraved design, the piercing is random. The gilding is excellent, the hallmarks on lid, base and grille also very clear. Francis Clark was a specialist Birmingham toy maker who worked between 1827 and 1849, his boxes are well regarded, he also served as magistrate. He emigrated to Australia (Adelaide) with his family in 1850 for family health reasons, and established ...

A delightful silver whistle in full working order, it emits a piercing and loud whistle (which certainly attracted attention when we tested it!). The whistle is engraved with scrolling foliage, and has a ring and link to allow it to be suspended from a chain or chatelaine. The hallmarks are very clear. This would make a lovely and functional pendant on a silver necklace. William John Hutchinson worked between 1900 and 1929.

A practical and interesting set of Arts & Crafts handmade sterling silver ice tongs, made by Leonore Doskow of New York. The tongs consist of a square silver rod that has been twisted in a circle to create a spring, with two 2 pronged grips, which are curved inwards, with sharp points, very suitable for picking up ice cubes (definitely the most practical ice tongs we have ever used). One arm is hallmarked "LEONORE DOSKOW HANDMADE STERLING", this is well struck and clear. Leonore Doskow (1911-2008) turned a hobby into a career during the Great Depression, a sugar bowl she made was exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1940. Her business grew to employ 75 staff during its peak, mostly producing silver novelties and silver containing monogrammes. She was featured in a Silver Magazine article in 1973.

An interesting Dutch miniature silver toy chestnut roaster, with the roasting pan suspended from the frame with 3 silver links (the links are not original). The frame is circular with a long handle and pan for holding the embers, the pan has an attractive 6 petalled flower cut in the base to allow airflow. The frame sits on 3 curved feet. The frame has one hallmark on the handle, the Dutch silver "Boars Head", which was used on miniature silver made before 1813, and brought back into trade, as an authorisation to put back into circulation (Houart, Miniature Silver Toys, pg 155). The roasting pan also has a hallmark, the letter V in rectangular shield under a crown, a mark used between 1813 and 1893 on items of foreign made silver (Voet, Nederlandze Goud & Zilverwerken, pg 46 and 61), this is a tax mark. We assume this item was made around 1813, and straddled the change in hallmarking introduced in that year - but welcome other interpretations!

A Chinese Export silver tablespoon, in the Fiddle and Thread pattern, with pseudo hallmarks. The spoon is lovely quality, quite heavy at 88 grammes, a pleasure to hold. It has no initials or crest, and no sign of them being removed. The hallmarks are clear, and include pseudo sterling lion, crowned leopards head (with a large grin, which gives it away), date letter L used by Linchong, and pseudo Georgian duty mark. Linchong worked from New China Street, Canton, between 1800 and 1850

A rare Chinese Export silver tablefork, in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent hallmarks, they could not be better. The hallmarks include pseudo sterling lion, pseudo crowned leopard's head, makers mark "YS" and pseudo Georgian duty mark. Yatshing silver is always "of a high standard" (www.chineseexportsilver.com), this fork is no exception.

A Chinese Export (or China Trade silver) silver tablespoon, with excellent pseudo hallmarks. The spoon is Fiddle pattern, and has an attractive and well engraved family crest, a Lion's head erased, which is contemporary. The hallmarks include pseudo sterling lion, pseudo crowned leopard's head, date letter "C', and pseudo Georgian duty mark. We have tentatively ascribed these marks to Cutshing, we would welcome other opinions. These marks are typical of the pseudo English marks deliberately created by Chinese silversmiths, for the export market. Cutshing are "widely recognised as producing some of the finest silver from the early China Trade period (1785-1840)" - www.chinese-export-silver.com, article on Cutshing.

A pair of Cape silver dessert forks in the Fiddle pattern, with contemporary engraved initials "WHG". The initials are engraved on the back of the forks, indicating the fashion to place forks with tines down at that time. The forks are very good quality, a pleasing weight and are in excellent condition. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark WM and the "Cape Stub" mark, with 4 pseudo English hallmarks (see our articles section for a description of the Cape Stub).

A set of 5 Cape Silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, with initials GHJ which are clearly engraved. The spoons have a chamfered edge (very Continental in style), and all 5 spoons have clear hallmarks (Welz mark 135). The marks include crowned leopards head, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant.

A rare Cape Silver lemoen lepel (orange spoon) and matching konfyt fork (preserve), we have not encountered a matching set before, none are recorded in the Cape silver reference books. The spoon is the traditional elegant lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, v shaped drop, and triangular terminal. The matching fork has 4 tines, both feature traditional Cape prick engraving with a 4 petalled flower. Both are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IC in rectangular punch with canted corners for Johannes Combrink, and also are punched with initials IFS, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Heller, in his book History of Cape Silver, describes orange spoons as "exquisite". Johannes Combrink of the famous Co...

Set of matching spoons in the French Fiddle and Thread pattern, in 800 silver, made in Germany post 1884, all with the same engraved initials (HB). The set includes 6 tablespoons (in original box), 6 teaspoons (in original box) and a soup ladle. The spoons were retailed in Berlin by H Zimmermann, (Juwelier on Orienstr). The 12 spoons were made by Wilkens & Sohne, the ladle by another maker (mark a clearly visible W with 2 people). The ladle has a gilt interior and flat bottom. Note: - these should not be confused with the term "german silver", which is an alloy and not silver as such.