The General Smuts Cup, a sterling silver shooting trophy awarded to Captain W. Marks of Belfast in 1950. The trophy is a small circular bon-bon dish, on a raised circular foot, with irregular rim featuring scrolls. The dish has an applied silver badge of the SANRA (South African National Rifle Association), of a jumping springbok below crossed rifles, and above a laurel wreath, surrounded by engraving "Capt. W. Marks Belfast, Genl. Smuts Cup 1950". The rim of the foot is also engraved, this is very small and barely visible, it reads "M. Tiger, Bloemfontein", we assume the trophy was re-awarded at a later date. The dish is clearly hallmarked on the base for Birmingham 1939 by Charles Green & Co, given it is engraved 1950 we assume it's use was delayed by World War II. Belfast is a small town in the North East of South Africa, primarily known for coal mining and trout fishing. Field Marshal Jan Smuts (1870-1950) was the Prime Minister of South Africa during World War II, he had a strong friendship with Winston ...

A beautiful Norwegian silver replica of a 17th century figural spoon, which makes an ideal Christening present for a girl. The spoon has a well modelled cast finial of a bust of a female warrior, complete with armour, standing on a pedestal decorated with a feeding bird, masks, flowers and scrolls. The traditionally shaped bowl is gilded, the gilding still well preserved. The quality of this spoon is outstanding, clearly made by a master craftsman, and the condition is excellent. The spoon is hallmarked with makers mark MH and grade 830S, so we can date this spoon to prior to 1920, when Norwegian silversmiths moved to the sterling 925 standard. Marius Hammer (1847-1927) was one of Norway's leading silversmiths, employing 130 staff in 1914, they even supplied the Prince of Wales. In addition to high end souvenirs, they produced replicas of notable Scandinavian silver, including this spoon.

A R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) Sterling Silver Napkin Ring, with applied silver RAF wings, and engraved C.E.N.G. The napkin ring is 3/4 circular but has a flat base, so it can be placed on a table without rolling. The ring is clearly hallmarked for London 1936, made by SJ Rose & Son, the ring is also engraved with retailers mark "Gieves Ltd London". Gieves (now Gieves & Hawkes) is a prestigious Savile Row Tailor, established in 1771, they hold numerous Royal Warrants, including the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales. They have long served the British Army, Royal Navy and the Royal family, clients include Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. More recent clients include David Beckham, Bill Clinton and the Braun Formula 1 team (source wikipedia). Note - we have not been able to establish what C.E.N.G. stands for, all assistance welcome. It could possibly refer to Chartered Engineer.

A set of 4 sterling silver fob medallions, with a bicycle and rider, awarded as cycling trophies. One medallion has a 9 carat gold cycling plaque, this was awarded as a first prize. 2 Medallions are identical, the third has same central cycling plaque with differnet outline, and the 4th has a different gold cyclist. All four medallions were awarded by FWCC (possibly Foster Wheeler Cycling Club) in 1937 to R Richardson, all as first or second prizes for Club 25, 30 or 50 (we assume different distances). All 4 medallions are in excellent condition, and all are clearly hallmarked for Chester 1934 and 1935 by maker TJS, Thomas James Skelton who worked between 1909 and 1961 in Birmingham, they specialised in fob medallions.

A beautiful set of 6 art deco gilded sterling silver and enamel coffee spoons, with seal top finials. The gilding is a deep yellow colour, which provides a lovely contrast to the enamel. The back of the spoon bowls are beautifully decorated with fan shaped guilloche enamel, in 6 different bold colours (green, red, yellow, purple and light and dark blue). Guilloche enamel is a technique where a precise pattern is engraved on the silver base using a rose engine lathe, also called engine turning. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are clear, including makers mark SLd for William Suckling Ltd, who worked between 1922 and 1955.

A rare Georg Jensen sterling silver # 42 pattern fork, this design has been called pea pod. The fork is hand hammered, with hammer marks visible, this is a lovely fork, exceptional quality. The fork has 4 tines, and at 14.5 cm length could be either a Child's fork, or small serving fork (ideal for cold cuts). The design is informally known as pea pod, but officially just called pattern # 42. The design is lovely, with 6 cast peas alongside a series of leaves, it has also incorrectly been described as "flattened magnolia". Georg Jensen himself produced this design in 1918, it is one of the "Numbered Ornamental Pieces" that were made in small quantities so not often found. It is depicted in the book "Georg Jensen A Traditional of Splendid Silver", by Janet Drucker, pages 290 and 291, we highly recommend this book. The hallmarks are clear, 42 (pattern number) above Georg Jensen in dotted oval, above "STERLING DENMARK".

A stylish set of six sterling silver coffee spoons, with an unusual but attractive shell design, we have not encountered this design before. The spoons are perfectly preserved in their original box, the box reads "James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, Made in England", we assume the retailer. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked. Atkin Brothers was a well known firm founded by Henry Atkin in 1851, it survived over 100 years until it was acquired by C.J. Vander in 1958.

A sterling silver caviar spoon, with handle realistically modelled as a sturgeon, made by leading silversmith Sarah Jones. This a a cast spoon, good weight and has a lovely feel in the hand, the grip enhanced with all the detail on the sturgeon, we love this spoon! The hallmarks are excellent, well struck and clear on the back of the bowl. Sarah Jones 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. "Her work is quirky and amusing, she is a superb modeller who produces charming animal studies. Her work is in the Royal Collection, a flower study is on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's dresser table (pages 266-271). This caviar spoon is a great example of her work, it may be a once off made on commission, as we have not encountered another example, much of her past and current work can be seen on her website www.sarahjonessilver.co.uk.

An interesting silver spoon, made by the Leeds College of Art in 1953, to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The spoon is teaspoon size, has a curvilinear handle and is struck with a large coronation mark as key decoration on the front of the spoon, this was an optional hallmark. The spoon is clearly hand made, the bowl and drop a little wonky, so perhaps made by an apprentice. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark LCA for Leeds College of Art. Leeds College of Art, which still exists today, had a good reputation for silver in the 1950's and early 1960's (Source Designer British Silver, Andrew & Styles, page 372). Silver by Leeds College of Arts is scarce, occasional pieces assayed at Sheffield with the LCA sponsors mark appear on the secondary market (we have seen a few examples on the internet, spoons, beakers and a gravy boat). In addition to being a rare Leeds College of Art piece of silver, the use of the large optional coronation hallmark as decoration is also unusual. Du...

A commemorative Irish silver caddy spoon, with the Gleninsheen collar handle and rounded square bowl, made to commemorate Ireland's entry into the E.E.C (European Economic Community). The original Gleninsheen collar is a gorget or neck ornament made from a sheet of pure gold, dating back to approximately 700 BC, it was dicovered by a farmer in 1932 in County Clare near the Gleninsheen wedge tombs, it is now in the National Museum. The collar has also featured on Irish stamps, and has been included in the book "The History of Ireland in 100 Objects" (which we can recommend). The caddy spoon also has the Gleninsheen Collar hallmark, which was only used in 1973. All the hallmarks are are well struck and very clear with no wear. An identical spoon was also part of the John Norie collection (lot 7, Part 1 of John Norie Collection of Caddy Spoons, Woolley & Wallis, April 2004). This spoon also features in the Pearson Silver Collection of post war British silver (www.pearsoncollection.com). Note - This spoon was als...

A scale replica set of the Tichborne Celebrities, probably the most famous of all English spoon sets, originally made by William Cawdell in 1592 (Kent, London Silver Spoonmakers). The set was produced in 1977 by the Heritage Collection of Bristol, commemorating the Silver Jubilee, in a limited edition of 5000 (this set is no 1814). The sets sold for GBP 250 in 1977, with a royalty paid to the Hampshire County Museum, who bought the original set at Christies in 1975 for GBP 85000. The spoons are sterling silver with gilt finials, and each spoon is hallmarked with 5 marks - makers device, STG (sterling), antelope head (South Africa), date letter D and set number 1814. The spoons are good quality, with very detailed finials, and each is engraved with its name, as per the originals. The set comes in original box, complete with signed certificate with information on each "celebrity", and a booklet describing the set, its maker, and information on Sir Robert Tichborne. The set comprises of the "9 Worthies" of medie...

A Scottish silver quaich of traditional shape, and medium in size. It is quite plain but very good quality, and a pleasing weight. The base is engraved "Brook & Son, 87 George St, Edinburgh", and the hallmarks, including makers mark B&S, are clear. The quaich is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel, the large sized ones were passed around at ceremonial occasions. They are popular christening presents in Scotland.

An interesting sterling silver Puritan spoon made by the celebrated Arts & Crafts jewellery designer and silversmith Amy Sandheim. This is a replica of a Commonwealth period (1649-1660) Puritan spoon, when the United Kingdom was run as a Republic under Oliver Cromwell, after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. The spoon has a plain rectangular stem and ovoid bowl, without adornment, reflecting the Puritanical nature of the period. The hallmarks are clear for London 1933, the AS makers mark is only lightly struck, but still clearly visible, with some scratch marks over the punch. Amy Sandheim worked between 1923 and 1943 from Notting Hill Gate, she is primarily remembered for her Arts & Crafts jewellery, where she was regarded as a pioneer, alongside Sibyl Dunlop and Dorrie Nossiter, She also made silver spoons in the Arts & Crafts style (see Artists Spoons by Simon Moore, pages 391-396), but was clearly also interested in 17th century styles.

A pair of Jugendstil German silver serving spoons, 800 purity, made by Lazarus Posen of Frankfurt, Germany circa 1900. The spoons have an interesting diamond shaped bowl, the bowls are gilded on both sides, so can be used for serving salty dishes. The handles are single struck in typical Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) style, with a central wreath surrounding engraved initials MJL. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked, makers mark script P in shaped outline, 800 standard mark and German crescent moon and crown hallmarks. Lazarus Posen was founded in Frankfurt in 1869, they specialised in Judaica, they became one of Germany's leading silversmiths, receiving a Royal warrant in 1903. They closed in 1938 due to Kristallnacht.

An interesting sterling silver trophy medallion, shaped in the shape of a Zulu shield, presented annually for a shooting competition between the towns of Pietermaritzburg and Durban of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. the medallion has 2 crossed rifles behind a smaller Zulu shield, surrounded by palm fronds with a decorative border, above latin motto and town name scrolls. The shield reads "Inter-Town Shooting presented 1892 for Annual Competition, Mayor of Maritzburg R. Mason Esq, Mayor of Durban B.W. Greenacre Esq", the scrolls have town names "Maritzburg Durban" either side, and the motto reads "Palman Qiu Meruit Ferat", translated "let whoever earns the palm bear it". The medallion has suspension rings so it can be worn as a pendant. The medallion is clearly hallmarked with South African sterling silver hallmarks, STG, SABS standard mark, date letter Gothic M for 1960, and makers mark of Dick King riding a horse for Norman Watson of Durban, South Africa. Watson worked in the 1960's and 1970's. We assume this ...

A pair of octagonal engine turned napkin rings, with applied armorial of the city of East London, South Africa. The armorials are lovely, with 4 colours of enamel, and good quality and gilded, we assume a metal, possibly silver, but no hallmarks are visible (possibly hidden on the back which is glued to the napkin rings. The rings are a pleasing shape, with 2 engine turned panels each, both are clearly hallmarked. The armorial depicts the cross of St George, as with the original London, with sheaves of wheat and sheep depicting agriculture, below a rising sun signifying the east. The shield rests on a gold anchor, as per the Cape Colony arms. This armorial was granted in 1892, it was replaced in 1959 by a more heraldically correct version.

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 Unidor sterling silver pendant, in Modernist style, circa 1970. The pendant is circular, the disc has been cut, folded and partly textured, and 17 silver balls of different sizes have been applied. The disc hangs from a long connecting rod, also with 4 balls, the pin has 2 arms similar to a hair-clip. The top of the pin has a connecting loop for a silver chain. The pin is hallmarked "925 UNIDOR", which is small but very clear. Unidor was a German jeweller operating from Pforzheim, the "Goldstadt" or Golden City, renowned for its jewellery industry.

A rare antique sterling silver 1/3 gill tot measure, in the traditional shape of a tankard. The tankard is baluster in shape, the handle just large enough for a finger. The tankard rim is raised, we assume the base indicates the measure point. The base has a design number 74642, the London hallmarks on the side are very clear. The tankard measures 42 millilitres, so a generous double tot, this is 1/3 of a gill using the traditional measures. Tot measures such as this are commonly found in brass, copper, pewter and other base metals, occasionally found in silver plate, solid silver versions such as this one are rare. The gill measure dates back to the 14 Century in Great Britain, 1 gill is a quarter of a pint, 1/6 gill was the traditional single shot whisky measure. Horace Woodward & Co operated between 1875 and 1916.

A lovely sterling silver medallion, commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Stellenbosch University in 1966. This is a high quality medallion, with beautiful stylised engraving. The front depicts the "Ou Hoofgebou" (Old Main Building), the oldest building on campus, built in 1886, in Cape classical style, with collonaded veranda and ornamental balcony. This is surrounded with "HOER ONDERWYS OP STELLENBOSCH 1866-1966", translated Higher Education at Stellenbosch. The back has the Stellenbosch University Coat of Arms under "UNIVERSITEIT VAN STELLENBOSCH", this was adopted in 1918, described as "Quarterly: I and IV: Or, three towers gules 2 and 1; II: Azure, the head of the Roman goddess Minerva wearing a winged helmet, argent; III: Azure, three oak twigs each with two leaves below and an acorn above, argent, 2 and 1; Upon an inescutcheon sable, an open book proper, with a red initial letter S in upper dexter, and with two seals, one red and one blue, pendant from the book (source www.andrewcusack.com). The 3 ...