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 6 Cape silver teaspoons in the Fiddle pattern, in excellent condition and with very clear hallmarks. The spoons are clearly hand made, you can see very slight differences in the shape and size of the Fiddle and bowl shape when comparing closely. The spoons are good quality and a good weight, just under 20 grammes each. The spoons have no engraving with no initials removed, completely original. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with 4 pseudo hallmarks, all struck individually in the same order - pseudo duty mark, bird, pseudo Edinburgh Castle town mark and pseudo date letter B. This is mark 134 in the book "Cape Silver and Silversmiths" by Stephan Welz, without makers mark - but clearly Twentyman as he was the only Cape silversmith who used these punches. Twentyman was the most prolific of all Cape silversmiths, he had the first shop on Heerengracht (now Adderley Street) with a shop window. He worked between 1818 and 1837. We really like these spoons.

A set of 6 Cape Silver teaspoons, Old English in pattern but more in a Continental than English style, with v shaped drops, Continental shaped bowls with sharp tip, and handles that flatten out towards the terminals. We really like these spoons, typically early Cape in character, made before the arrival of the English settlers in 1820. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IC in rectangular punch with clipped corners, fat base I and C with shorter top, Welz mark 32 (page 147). All 6 spoons also have original owners stamped initials ISR. In addition, all 6 spoons have a later owners lightly scratched initials MN on the front of the spoons, only visible in certain light. The MN initials are stylish, perhaps Art Deco, so possibly added in the 1930's. These spoons are accompanied by a card dated 1933, the spoons were a gift from Mr & Mrs Louis P Naude of Kimberley to his niece Luisa, written in Afrikaans, stating the spoons are already over 100 years old, and that if she behaves she can get the oth...

A Cape Silver lemoen lepel, (orange spoon), in very good condition, and with very clear makers mark. This spoon is typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoon has typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. It also has a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl. The IC makers mark is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). 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). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815. Note - this spoon matches the pair S 1922.

A rare pair of Cape silver tablespoons in the Old English pattern, engraved with the crest of the Cape Regiment. The spoons are engraved "CAPE.REG" above a bugle, suspended from a shamrock shape rope knot. This bugle was used as a crest for English Light regiments, currently still used by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (lightbobs). As is often the case with regimental silver, these spoons have been well used (and well polished), so the crest is worn, one is better than the other. Both spoons have clear Cape silver hallmarks, anchor, IC, anchor, mark 22 in Cape Silver by Welz, used by Johannes Combrink. The Cape Regiment was formed in 1795, and consisted of Khoisan and Coloured men under white officers, headquartered in Simonstown. In 1817 it was renamed the Cape Corps, it remained in existence until 1926. Major Matthew Richmond, a New Zealand Colonial administrator and politician, served with the Cape Regiment in 1817, so may have used these spoons. (note - we have 2 sets of these spoons)....

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...

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 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 mixed and interesting set of 6 Cape silver Old English pattern teaspoons, all made by members of the Lotter family of Cape silversmiths. It consists of 3 matched spoons by Gerhardus Lotter, 2 spoons by his cousin Carel David Lotter, and 1 spoon by his brother Willem Godfried Lotter. The 3 spoons by Gerhardus are marked by makers mark GL (Welz mark 68), one spoon by Carel has makers mark CDL (Welz mark 63), the other Carel spoon has CDL between 2 stars (Welz mark 64). The Willem spoon has WGL between 2 L shaped devices (Welz mark 94), all marks are clear. One Carel spoon has original engraved initials DJLR, the other 5 have no engraving. The spoons have very slight differences in style and length, but they are close enough to be used as a set.

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 magnificent Cape silver gravy (also called basting or serving) spoon, in the Kings pattern, double struck with diamond heel. It has a lovely weight and is very good quality, this is one of the most substantial Cape silver spoons we have seen, and is suitable for regular use - in fact a spoon anyone would enjoy using. The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark LT for Lawrence Twentyman, and pseudo English hallmarks (leopards head, duty mark, date letter a and lion) - Welz mark 135, but in a different order. Twentyman was the most prolific of all Cape silversmiths, he had the first shop on Heerengracht (now Adderley Street) with a shop window. He worked between 1818 and 1837.

An extremely rare and unusual Cape silver Napkin (serviette) holder. The holder has an arm that hooks into a buttonhole, and a clamp that is opened or closed with a sliding ring. The clamp end is decorated in a very crude shell, and the sliding ring is crudely banded. This item could be unique, made by special commission, as none of the Cape silver reference books describe napkin holders. The hallmark is very clear (DBD between two stars, mark 44 in Welz). Dominique Badouin du Moulin was a Belgian from Mons (Bergen), who worked as a silversmith in the Cape between 1818 and 1833 (Welz, Cape Silver). He married the sister of silversmith Jan Beyleveld.

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).

Early provincial waiter of good gauge and in outstanding condition. The waiter has a shell and scroll rim, lion paw feet and an interesting Stag crest. The hallmarks are exceptionally clear, even the castle windows are clear in the town mark! The base is also scratch engraved with the weight, being 7.2 oz pnt. John Kirkup assumed control of the family business in 1753 when his father dies, he retired in 1774.

Typical early Georgian small octagonal caster by a well known maker. Thomas Bamford was a specialist caster maker, whose apprentices included Samuel Wood, who also became a prolific specialist caster maker. Bamford's address was the interestingly named Gutter Lane. The caster is clearly hallmarked, both on the base and on the sleeve of the lid.

A magnificent Scottish Georgian silver punch ladle, by one of the finest Scottish silversmiths of the period. The ladle has a circular bowl, finely decorated with bunches of grapes and vine leaves, the decoration is truly a work of art. The ladle has a lip which is also decorated, similar to a gadroon pattern. The handle is held in place with a traditional heart shaped plaque, this has a previous owners initials lightly scratched into it, hardly visible but a nice addition. The silver handle is also decorated with grapes and vine leaf. The original handle is wood, which has been turned into an attractive shape. The ladle is finished with a silver knob and cap, also decorated in the same fine grape and vine pattern. The ladle is a generous size and weight, is very good quality, and is in superb condition. The hallmarks are very slightly worn but still clearly visible, and include the Glasgow town mark, lion rampant, date letter G, duty mark and makers mark RG&S. Robert Gray worked in Glasgow from 1776, adding ...

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 ...