A Patrick Mavros silver sculpture of a lion on a black hardwood base, medium in size. The lion is realistically modelled, roaring with raised paw, standing on black hardwood base. The base has a silver PM button trademark, the lion is also fully hallmarked with PM makers mark and the Zimbabwe sable in triangle standard mark. Patrick Mavros (www.patrickmavros.com) has built a luxury Africa themed silver sculpture business over the last 35 years, he is based in Harare, with outlets in London, Mauritius and Nairobi. His customers include the Royal Family, Prince William and Kate are collectors. Other customers include JK Rowling and King Carlos of Spain. This model is an early Mavros model, and is no longer in production.
A fabulous set of six antique sterling silver goblets, perfectly preserved in their original box. The goblets are very pleasing quality, over 30 grammes each, and are quite small, so we imagine used for sherry or liqueur. The shape is lovely, a traditional goblet shape, with spreading foot and baluster stem. The goblets are perfectly preserved in their original wooden box, with blue velvet and silk interior, also in remarkable condition, with hinges and clasp in full working order. All 6 goblets are clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1911, and makers mark W&F.R, for Walter Hayes and Frank Rabone, who worked between 1911 and 1916, with the partnership dissolved in 1918, we assume sadly interrupted by World War 1.
An interesting silver medallion, made to commemorate the World Championship Fly Casting event held in 1968 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The medallion reads "1968 LENZERHEIDE CHVR SWITZERLAND SCHAFT WELTMEISTER CHAMPION ATVDMOND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CASTING IXII" in an interesting font, the other side has stylised design with a flower. The medallion is marked 900 (silver grade), maker LM Co., designer Gia Pedretti (Guiliano Pedretti, an artist and sculptor, 1924-2012). The event was held by the ICSF (International Casting Sport Federation) , for the World Championship on Water Fly Casting event
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.
Two sterling silver napkin rings, both shooting trophies for the Natal Rifle Association. The first reads "The Emma Thresh Trophy, 1914, 2nd Prize, won by" surrounding the engraved badge of the NRA, reading "Natal Rifle Association, Semper Paratus, 1868", around a mounted rifleman. We assume the award of this trophy was cancelled due the the start of World War I in 1914. The second reads "Murray-Smith Memorial, 1926, 1st Team", alongside an applied cast shield of the Natal Rifle Association, as described above. The hallmarks are clear on both napkin rings, the first has an additional hallmark "6" in a quatrefoil punch, all suggestions welcome as to the meaning of this additional punch. The Emma Thresh Trophy itself belongs to the Natal Carbineers, South Africa's senior regiment. The trophy itself is 16 kilograms of silver, and was donated in 1903 by Emma Thresh, as the shooting trophy for Colonial Forces. Lieutenant-Colonel William Murray-Smith of the Natal Mounted Rifles saw distinguished service in bothe th...
A set of six sterling silver place card holders, all containing a very rare hallmark, the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. The holders are rounded rectangular in shape, with a zig-zag border, with supporting circular foot and holder to hold the place card in place. The front of the holders is blank, designed for personalised engraving, these have never been engraved. All 6 holders have 7 hallmarks, all clearly struck, including marks for London 1990, along with makers mark AN in shield, the sterling silver convention hallmark (scale with 925), additional 925 standard mark, and a rare and unusual 7th hallmark, the Queen's Award for Export Achievement (Royal Crown above cog device, with centre letter E). Ari Norman was the first British silversmith to be granted this award in 1989, he was then allowed to use the hallmark in 1989 and 1990, as per these pieces. The Queen's award was established in 1965, and still operates today. We are not aware of any other silversmith who has won this award, hence the scar...
An antique silver golfing medallion, featuring a golfer in plus four's, his caddy and a lady observer with walking stick, all in traditional attire. The medallion is quite large and heavy, the quality is excellent. The detail is lovely, and includes a church, house, trees and fence in the background. The reverse has a laurel wreath, and is engraved "P.P.BURG GOLF CLUB 1911, won by J.C. TERBLANCHE". P.P.Burg stands for the town PaulPietersburg in northern Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, which was established in 1888. The front of the medallion has the engraver's initials WJD for William James Dingley, the back is fully hallmarked, but the hallmarks are worn (just discernable, including makers mark WJD.
An interesting solid silver napkin ring, awarded as 2nd prize in the Dewar Shield of 1939 by SANRA (South African National Rifle Association). The ring is rectangular in shape, with but with lobed sides, so a pleasing shape, it is quite heavy at 55 grammes, the quality is excellent. The napkin ring has applied crest of the South African National Rifle Association, a jumping springbok under crossed rifles, above a laurel wreath, with SANRA above and SANS below (Afrikaans equivalent). The ring is engraved "The Dewar Shield, 1939, 2nd Prize". The silver hallmarks are clear, including maker mark for Charles Green & Co, who worked between 1904 and 1986.
A Scottish Provincial silver kilt pin brooch, made by John Fraser of Inverness, but hallmarked in Edinburgh as required by regulations. The kilt pin has a classic celtic design, and is a pleasing quality, and a good size and weight. The pin and clasp are also good quality, and in perfect working order. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark JF incuse for John Fraser of Silvercraft, Inverness, who worked between 1965 and 1982.
A lovely 9 carat gold and enamel RAF (Royal Air Force) sweetheart brooch, with very good detail. This is very pleasing quality, it would have been an expensive item when first made. The brooch has RAF in red gold under a red enamel crown, above a green enamel laurel wreath, all set in gold, with the feathered yellow gold wings either side. The contrast between the red gold RAF and yellow gold wings is lovely, set off by the red and green enamel. The back is clearly hallmarked "9 CARAT", indicating 9 carat gold. The badge and both clasp connectors are 9 carat gold, the pin itself is a whiter colour so may not be gold.
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 sterling silver and white enamel Guildhall School of Music & Drama medallion, perfectly preserved in it's original box. The medallion is good quality, a pleasing weight, with music scrolls, mask and City of London crest. The medallion reads "DIPLOMA L.G.S.M.", for Licentiate of the Guildhall of the School of Music. The back is engraved "Albert Edward Honey Teachers' Flute", surrounded by laurel wreath. Albert Honey was born in Devon in 1919, he was principal flute for the Band of Royal Dragoons during the war. He then joined the Scottish National Orchestra from 1951-1954 and BBC Review Orchestra 1954-1964. He then emigrated to South Africa to teach at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, he retired in 1984 after being awarded M.Mus and Ph.D. He palayed in the National Symphony Orchestra after retirement and died in 2001. The hallmarks are clear.
A delightful sterling silver Christening bowl or porringer, decorated with the "Three Bears" of Goldilocks fame walking past engraved trees. The bowl is good quality, quite heavy, the bears are cast and applied, the detail is lovely. The bowl is engraved "Mappin & Webb Ltd, London & Sheffield", and all the hallmarks are excellent. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller. The was produced just after the end of World War II, silver was very cheap, items from this period are often heavy and superb quality. One of the nicest Christening present a baby could hope to receive. Note - we have 2 matching items, a plate and mug, S 1981 and S1982.
A 15 carat gold and enamel RAF (Royal Air Force) sweetheart brooch, with red and green enamel, perfectly preserved in it's original leather and silk box. The only hallmark present is 15CT for fifteen carat gold. The box is lovely, and reads "Royal Appointment, Gieves Ltd, 21 Old Bond St London W1". Gieves is now Gieves and Hawkes after the acquisition of Hawkes in 1974, they hold Royal Warrants for the Royal Family and the Prince of Wales, now at 1 Savile Row.
A very interesting (and large) Odd Fellows antique silver medallion or pendant, with a central Brittannia surrounded by a laurel wreath, in silver, on blue (enamel?) background, covered by glass. The oval medallion is engraved "VOTED BY THE YARMOUTH BRITANNIC LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS TO G. BOATWRIGHT P.G. 29 MARCH 1843". This is surrounded by an attractive engraved chain, the border is also engraved. The hallmarks are clear, and include the distinctive J.D makers mark with indented corners (Grimwade 3421). Dallinger was an engraver, lithographer and copper plate maker, he first worked in Ipswitch from 1824 and moved to Norwich in 1829 when he made this medallion. He is known as a maker of Odd Fellow regalia. The Odd Fellows is a Fraternal Society promoting philanthropy and charity, it dates back to 1745 and still exists today.
A delightful sterling silver Christening mug, decorated with the "Three Bears" of Goldilocks fame walking past engraved trees. The mug is fabulous quality, quite heavy, the bears are cast and applied, the detail is lovely. The mug is engraved "Mappin & Webb Ltd, London & Sheffield", and all the hallmarks are excellent. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller. The was produced just after the end of World War II, silver was very cheap, items from this period are often heavy and superb quality. One of the nicest Christening presents a baby could hope to receive. Note - we have 2 matching items, a plate and bowl, S 1981 and S1983.
A pair of antique sterling silver handled sewing scissors, with the sterling handles modeled as 2 snakes with their tails wrapped around their bodies, and steel blades protruding from open mouth. The steel blades have an indent, very similar to that seen on grape scissors, so these could be grape scissors. The steel blades have makers mark triple S around cross. The scissors have 2 sets of hallmarks on both handles, the first original makers mark (eagle device and N), we believe these are Hanau, Germany, possibly Neresheimer, founded 1893. The second set are London import marks for 1900, with F import mark, and importer mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck. Landeck of Campden Town was a known importer of foreign silver from 1891, he died in 1907, his son Boaz Moses Landeck continued with the business.
A sterling silver tray, engraved "Troon Golf Club", above the club crest and motto "TAM ARTE QUAM MARTE", translated "as much by skill as by strength". The dish is rectangular with octagonal sides, the rim is engine turned with a wavy pattern. The tray is small, we imagine a pin tray, or perhaps to hold golf tees. The crest consists of 5 golf clubs entwined by a snake, the coiled snake comes from the Arms of the Duke of Portland who originally owned the land and sold it to the club, becoming the first Patron of Troon Golf Club. The hallmarks are clear. Troon Golf club was established in 1878, and frequently hosts the British Open Championship (8 hosted so far, Hendrik Stenson won the 2016 Open at Troon). The par 3 eighth "Postage Stamp" is one of the most famous of all golf holes. Troon was awarded Royal status in 1978 to celebrate it's centenary, hence the lack of Royal on this dish made in 1933. The British Open Golf Championship is once again being held at Royal Troon in 2024.
A beautifully modelled solid silver Kudu antelope, with impressive horns, this is very realistic. The kudu is a good size and weight, 2 silver pins on the feet connect it solidly to the wooden base, which has a felt base, this is heavy enough to be a desk paperweight. The kudu is clearly hallmarked, triangle antelope head mark (Zimbabwe), crescent moon makers mark and 865 standard mark, so slightly lower than sterling grade. Realistic animal sculptures by Patrick Mavros of Zimbabwe are held in high esteem, given the quality of the modelling perhaps this silversmith was trained by Mavros. Note - We have now identified the maker as Silver Creations of Harare, Zimbabwe circa 1987, from a similar set accompanied with Certificate of Assay by D Ewing. The owner has also established that Silver Creations has no links with Patrick Mavros. We would like to thank the owner of the set for sharing this information with us. Note 2 - Another owner of an identical piece has now contacted us, his is numbered 958 so perhaps ...
A delightful sterling silver Christening plate, the rim decorated with the "Three Bears" of Goldilocks fame walking past engraved trees. The plate is fabulous quality, very heavy, the bears (4 sets of 3) are cast and applied, the detail is lovely. The plate is engraved "Mappin & Webb Ltd, London & Sheffield", and all the hallmarks are excellent. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller. The was produced just after the end of World War II, silver was very cheap, items from this period are often heavy and superb quality. One of the nicest Christening present a baby could hope to receive. Note - we have 2 matching items, a mug and bowl, S 1982 and S1983.