A lovely set of 12 rat-tail trefid silver teaspoons and matching sugartongs, also with rat-tail, well preserved in original box. This set is antique, being over 100 years old, but was made as a replica of an earlier style (circa 1680). In late Victorian and Edwardian times good quality replicas of earlier styles were popular, this set is also very good quality, and is suitable for use. The hallmarks on all 13 pieces are excellent. James Dixon & Sons is a well known firm, first established in 1806 and still in business today.They employed over 600 people during Victorian times (Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths).

A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) cream ladle, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1924. The ladle is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The ladle is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible in the bowl and the stem. The ladle has a flat circular bowl with a narrow lip, about 0.7 cm deep. The ladle is 830 grade silver, as is usual for Danish silver. The well struck hallmarks include "Evald Nielsen" in an attractive script, with "No 4" indicating pattern, date letter "ANNO 1924", the letter "S" surrounded by dots in shaped punch for silver, and "830" in oval punch surrounded by dots for grade of silver. Evald Nielsen worked between 1905 and 1958 from Copenhagen, he designed all his own designs (as opposed to his contemporary Georg Jensen). He won numerous awards internationally, and his silver can be seen in numerous museums, including the Metropolitan in New York, V&A in London, and Kunstmuseum in Denmark. Nielsen produ...

A Brittannia 958 standard silver miniature fish eagle, complete with fish in it's talons. The eagle is realistically modelled, with lovely texture and detail. It is hallmarked 958, indicating Brittania standard grade, so purer than sterling. It stands freely without a base. Stylistically it is quite similar to those produced by Patrick Mavros, so perhaps done by one of his apprentices, almost certainly from Zimbabwe or South Africa where fish eagles are located.

A lovely Hanau silver commemorative spoon, with a cast bust of Frederick the Great, with lovely detail. The bust sits on a plaque with the words "Fridericus Borussorum Rex 1740-1786", translated "Frederick King of Prussia". The stem of the spoon is decorative, with dolphins, a crown and a twisted design. The spoon bowl is also decorated with flowers and scrolling foliage. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark "n" (Scheffler 489) for Neresheimer, and stylised bunch of grapes (image 1, 3rd hallmark under Neresheimer on www.925-1000.com). The Neresheimer n is also called the "Nuremberg n" (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). They also include importers mark B.M (struck twice) for Berthold Muller, who for many years was the sole British agent for Neresheimer (Culme). Berthold Muller and Son traded between 1892 and 1915, when Muller changed his name to Miller (we assume as a result of anti-German feeling in London during the First World War). The 2 B.M marks were struck by different punches, the larger one B...

A rare antique silver desk stamp case shaped as an envelope, what makes this case interesting is that it is mounted on a base, for use on a desk. The stamp case envelope is the usual form, with hinged flap with pin for closure, it is mounted at an angle on the circular baluster base, which is weighted with the addition of plaster of paris in the base (we assume it would have originally had a felt base which is now missing). The base is fully hallmarked, the date letter and makers mark "A&LLd" is worn but still legible enough to be certain of the maker. The envelope lid is also hallmarked, with a clear date letter i for 1908. Silver envelope shaped stamp cases must have been popular as many varied examples have survived, but this is the only example we have seen of one mounted on a desk stand. Adie & Lovekin was founded in 1879, they produced a wide variety of silver novelties.

An interesting set of 6 cast silver Scottish Provincial silver coffee spoons, made in Inverness in 1961 by John Fraser, but hallmarked in Edinburgh as required by regulations. The spoons have a Viking longboat finial, a Celtic knot at the top and bottom of the stem, which is textured on the front. The spoon bowls are quite flat, and the back of the spoons show how these spoons were cast in a mold rather than hammered or stamped in a press. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked for Edinburgh 1961, along with makers mark JF and INS for Inverness. The spoons are in excellent condition, and come in a box without a name which feels to large for them, so probably not the original box. John Fraser traded as Silvercraft from Castle Street, Inverness, he registered his mark with the Edinburgh Assay office in 1960, and worked until 1982. He apprenticed with Medlock & Craik in the 1930's, which was probably interrupted by WW11. He is primarily remembered for silver clan badges, kilt pins and Celtic inspired jewellery, spo...

A Boer War antique silver sweetheart brooch, that reads "S Africa 1900-2". The brooch has a realistically modelled Lee Enfield rifle with hanging strap, with applied circular pierced badge, which also features the English rose, Welsh leek and Scottish thistle. The brooch has a pin clasp (note pin has an old repair where it has been re-soldered onto the rifle), it also has a detachable chain with hanger shaped safety pin, to prevent the brooch being lost. The back of the rifle is clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1901/2, with makers mark WL, in 2 shields, for William Light who worked between 1895 and 1912.

A rare and interesting Dutch silver matchbox holder (or cover), a memento of the destruction of the Ypres Cloth Hall (Lakenhal) during the Great War (World War I), imported and retailed by Harrod's of London. The box is embossed with a detailed image of the Great Cloth Hall in Ypres, before it's destruction during the war. The box reads "YPRES LES HALLES 1914". The gauge of silver is quite thin, and the box has been well used and damaged, 3 of the connecting arms have been repaired. The box is Dutch, and has clear Dutch hallmarks G for 1916, and makers mark VS for Vos & Co of Haarlem, Hertogenbosch. The box also has clear London import marks for 1916, and importers mark RB for Richard Burbridge, who was Managing Director of Harrods from 1911 to 1917. The Cloth Hall was first built in 1304, site of the Les Halles Market, and centre to the town of Ypres (Ieper). It was the site of many major battles during the War, first sustaining damage in 1914 but being completely destroyed by 1918. It was rebuilt between 19...

A set of six silver teaspoons with enamel finials, 3 with a swimmer and 3 with a motorcyclist. The teaspoons have an attractive stem, and all 6 are fully hallmarked on the back of the bowl, and all are stamped "England". The enamels were hand painted, as the details on each differ slightly. We can only guess as to their origin, perhaps a special commission for a family involved in both sports.

Unusual set of 6 Arts and Crafts coffee spoons, made by Liberty, each set with different semi precious stones - malachite, amethyst, sodalite, turquoise, garnet and a green stone we cannot identify. The spoons are still in their original box, showing they were retailed by Mappin and Webb, Regent St, London. The spoons were made the year after Liberty closed their Cymric business (1901 - 1926), which was a partnership with William Haseler. The hallmarks are very clear on all spoons.

A delightful antique silver swing handled basket with pierced sides, notable for it's very small size, hence our description as miniature. The basket is rectangular, with the 2 long sides curved, so the ends of the basket are higher than the centre. The 4 sides are beautifully pierced and engraved, with scrolls, foliage and flowers, this is a very decorative basket. The swing handle is also decorated, with 7 pierced ovals across the top. The basket is clearly hallmarked, with hallmarks hidden in the decoration, the makers mark is partially blurred, but the heart shaped punch with faint WB over clear Ld is sufficient to confirm the maker as Williams Ltd, who worked between 1902 and 1929. The handle is also hallmarked, and the base is stamped with a registration mark Rd 528841, which shows the design was protected. This basket is too large to be a true toy miniature, but is smaller than a bon - bon basket, it would be suitable for jewelry on a dressing table, or for small sweets.

An interesting WWI military silver vesta case, engraved "Northern Command Bombing School August 1916". The vesta case is the traditional curved rectangle shape, with a striker on the base, and a ring on the side for attachment to a fob chain. The vesta is clearly hallmarked for Chester 1915, with makers mark S.I.L.d for Stokes & Ireland, who worked between 1891 and 1932 in Birmingham, they also used the Chester assay office. The vesta is also stamped "Pearce & Sons Leeds", Pearces Jewellers still exists today, after being founded in 1838. Northern Command was a British Army Home Command, based in York during World War I, the bombing school was a Grenade School (not RFC as has been incorrectly described in the internet), with a focus on using grenades to attack and clear trench systems. Those that successfully completed the training wore a red grenade proficiency badge on their upper right arm. We have seen other examples of Northern Command Bombing School silver vesta cases, that also have an engraved grenade...

A beautiful set of 6 Australian Arts & Crafts hand made sterling silver teaspoons, with Geraldton Wax indigenous floral finials, made by of of Perth's leading family of silversmiths, Linton Silver. The spoons have hand hammered (planished) bowls, rat tail drops and cast silver floral finials, the detail and quality is very pleasing. The spoon bowls are almost triangular in shape, we have called them teaspoons but given their small size are very suitable for coffee. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked, a gum nut symbol in square punch, "ST.SILVER" standard mark and makers mark JAL for Linton Silver, who traded between 1938 and 1978. JAL refers to Jamie Linton, who joined his father's studio in 1920, he remained active until 1980. He trained in Perth, Paris and London, where he studied Central School for Arts & Crafts. He designed the range of Australian indigenous wildflower spoons, which are still produced today by Bethamy Linton, who retails each spoon at $295. Note - We have a matching jam spoon S 11536.

A very interesting American sterling silver Arts & Crafts ladle, made by W. Depp in the 1950's. The ladle is the traditonal shape, but has 2 bars that join in a loop for the handle, with the base of the handle wrapped in a thick silver wire, we love this design! The bowl has been shaped by hand with a pouring lip on the side, so well suited for gravy, cream or even a toddy (the shape and size is very similar to Scottish silver toddy ladles). The ladle is clearly hallmarked with makers mark W Depp in a triangle (looks like V V rather than W), alongside "Hand Wrought" and "Sterling". W Depp is a mystery to us, he (or she) did produce some modernist hand wrought sterling silver jewellery, we have not been able to find any other flatware by this maker, or information about them (all assistance welcome). Note 1 July 2024 - Thanks to assistance from Susan who has a very similar ladle, we have identified the silversmith as Wesley Depp (1922-2002), of Saranac Lake, New York. Wesley was the son of John Depp and start...

A pair of sterling silver and jasper cufflinks, made by Kurt Jobst in Johannesburg circa 1950. The cufflinks are circular, with raised polished jasper insert, the sterling silver connectors are S shaped, and the connecting piece is square. Both the circular cufflinks and square connectors are clearly hallmarked, with JOBST, .925 and the circular cufflinks also have his characteristic KJ unicorn mark. Jasper is an opaque chalcedony, red in colour, it polishes well so is often used as a gemstone in jewellery. Jobst was born in Austria in 1905, he served his apprenticeship in Hanau, Germany, his influence was the Bauhaus movement. He emigrated with his family in 1936 from Austria to South Africa to escape Hitler, and became one of Johannesburg's leading silversmiths. He was commissioned by the South African Government to make the official wedding present for Queen Elizabeth in 1947 (a silver box with diamond necklace), he also made silver for Ernest Oppenheimer (cigar box, bowls and dishes). He died in a car cr...

A fabulous sterling silver basting spoon (gravy or serving spoon) in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The basting spoon is a substantial size and weight, the quality is excellent. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.

A Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers antique silver spoon, with the Company armorial as a cast silver finial. The spoon is a good weight and quality, as expected from Elkington, it also has a rat-tail bowl. The cast finial has lovely detail, the back has a vacant shield cartouche intended for engraved initials. The company is one of the Livery companies of the city of London, ranked 41st in order of precedence, it was founded in 1375 and received Royal Charter in 1571. The company motto, "Join Loyalty & Liberty" was created by past Master John Wilkes in 1774, John Wilkes is remembered as the founder of "Freedom of the Press", his statue is in Fetter Lane. He was also Lord Mayor of London, his "I love liberty" slogan on silver spoon picture-backs are highly collectible. The armorial has 2 pairs of compasses over a globe, under 2 roses and a scallop shell, with a demi savage holding a spear, supported by 2 naked boys, one holding a female figure, the other a square - all this detail is clearly visible. T...

A rare solid silver version of the Voortrekker Aandenking (memorial) 1838 - 1938 bowl, in 835 grade silver. The circular bowl with foot is well modeled, with ox wagons on trek, with Boer (farmer) on horse, cattle in the foreground and mountains in the background, framed by trees. The other image is of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, and in between are two lit candles in a candlestick, surrounded by chains, with Zulu shields above and ox horns below. One candle reads "VOORTREKKER AANDENKING", the other "1838 - 1938". This design was done by the famous South African artist JH Pierneef (1886-1957), probably South Africa's greatest landscape artist. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark V over moon for Zilverfabriek Voorschoten, and 835 indicating the grade of silver (835/1000). Zilverfabriek Voorschoten is a brand name of Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today, they moved from Utrecht to Voorschoten in 1858. The Voortrekker Aandenking bowls were made in a v...

An interesting Swiss Silver preserve set, consisting of a matching fork and slotted spoon in their original box. They are 800 grade silver, and both the spoon bowl and fork (excluding handle) are gilded, to protect the silver from corrosive salt. The matching handles are a beaded pattern, with the pattern on the back different from the pattern on the front. The spoon has seven slots in an attractive pattern, the fork has 4 tines. Both items are clearly hallmarked with the Jezler makers mark and 800 standard mark. The original box has a retailers label, which reads "Otto Leuenberger, Uhren & Bijoutier, Langnau (Bern) - Brugg (Aargau)".

An Edwardian silver pocket stamp case, with a spring loaded interior for holding stamps in place. The case is rectangular, with an engine turned design with vacant circular cartouche for initials or family crest, and ring attachment for attachment to an Albert chain. The interior is gilded, the stamp compartment is also engine turned. The case, lid and stamp compartment are all hallmarked. Saunders & Shepherd are a well known firm, first established in 1869 by Cornelius Saunders and Frank Shepherd.