Magnificent silver sauce boat, with three fabulous applied lion mask and paw feet. The sauce boat is traditional shape, has a gadrooned rim and double scroll handle, with leaf cap. The boat is very heavy and is extremely good quality, it is a pleasure to hold and use. The hallmarks are clear, but the maker's mark is only partially struck, but still clear enough to determine. This is a replica of an earlier style, the design is a typical Paul de Lamerie design, circa 1740-1745. De Lamerie often used the applied lion mask and paw feet. Pairpoint Brothers worked between 1879 and 1937. To quote Culme in "Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 355", "of the place occupied by the four Pairpoint Brothers in the silver world, little is necessary to be said, for their silver mark may be seen in every retail silver merchant's window in London. It is admitted on all sides by experts, sometimes with a sigh of regret, sometimes with a grin of malice, that Pairpoint copies of ancient patterns are dangerously near b...

A very interesting commemorative silver serving spoon, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Samuel Crompton who died in 1827. Crompton was an inventor who invented the spinning mule, he is regarded as a pioneer of the British spinning industry, which contributed greatly to the industrial revolution. This is a lovely spoon, very good quality and weight, ideal for serving. The hallmarks are excellent, and are accompanied by a registration mark, Rd 727476, indicating the spoon design was registered at the patent office. The spoon is also stamped "Preston's Ltd". Prestons of Bolton is a jewellery store founded in 1869, it still exists today, and is regarded as the "Diamond Centre of the North". Crompton was born, lived and died in Bolton.

A good quality antique silver replica of what is commonly referred to as "The Tudor Cup", which became famous when it was sold (as part of the Dunn-Gardner collection) at Christies auction in 1901 for GBP 4100, the highest price ever paid for a piece of silver at that time. John Dunn-Gardner, of Soham Manor, had a legendary collection of silver, the sale covered 6 volumes. The original cup of 1521, with scallop shell makers mark, is also known as the Holms cup, named after a previous owner. The original cup is now part of the collection of the Royal Scottish Museum, who purchased it in 1958 for GBP 9500. The museum's resources were augmented by the National Art Collection's fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, H.M. Treasury and 2 private donors, enabling the cup to be kept in Great Britian (Ian Finlay, Silver in the Royal Scottish Museum, Connoisseur June 1959), where the original cup is pictured. The original cup is also pictured in the book "Old London Silver" by Howard (pg 100). ...

An Arts and Crafts Swedish silver sugar bowl with lid, with circular hand hammered body on a raised circular foot, the lid with a ring finial. It is a simple but beautiful design, and is a very good weight and excellent quality. The hallmarks are very clear, having been protected by the raised foot. They include the Swedish State mark (3 crowns) and 830 silver standard (S in hexagon), Goteborg city mark (crowned G), date letter for 1962 (M9) and sponsors mark for Thore Eldh (SFS). Thore Eldh was a highly regarded Swedish designer who worked between 1935 and 1967. In addition to the hallmarks, the bowl is stamped "Cecilia" in script form, we assume a pattern name.

Three sterling silver napkin rings, shooting trophies for the Natal Rifle Association. The first is engraved "The Emma Thresh Trophy, 1929", the second "Murray-Smith Memorial, 1925, 2st Team", and the third "Royston Memorial 1st Team 1928", all three have an applied cast shield "Natal Rifle Association, Semper Paratus, 1862". The hallmarks are clear on all 3 napkin rings, makers mark F.H.A.& Co, for FH Adam and company of Birmingham, this mark was used 1919-1935. 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 both the Boer War and Great war, he was awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Order and Croix de Guerre. He was an excellent shot, and won the Clark Kennedy Challenge Cup at Bisley during Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, he als...

A boxed set of six sterling silver Hanoverian pattern teapoons, with matching sugar tongs. The spoons all have rat tails, and the tongs have the spoon pattern repeated on the arms. The quality is good, as you would expect from Mappin & Webb. The original box reads "Mappin & Webb Ltd, Regent Street, London W", this would have been an expensive item when new. All 7 items have excellent hallmarks, the 6 spoons are 1919, the tongs 1920. 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.

A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) pastry or cake server, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1925. The server is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The server is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible on the blade and the stem. The blade is nicely shaped, and has a raised lip which increases away from the pointed tip, so very practical to use. The server 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 1925", 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...

An unusual silver table bell, with cast silver handle of 2 young boys (cherubs or putti?), one holding the other upside down by the ankles. The casting has lovely detail, as can be seen in the photographs. The bell is quite heavy, and is good quality, with a clear ring. The clanger is also hallmarked silver. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark JS, which appear to over strike another mark, so possibly JS is a retailer. We would welcome opinions on the significance of the cherubs, thank you.

A silver quaich of traditional shape, with 2 flat lug handles, and quite a large size. It is quite plain, which accentuates its lovely shape. The base is engraved "H.H. Plante, 12 Bury St, St James, S.W.", and the hallmarks are very clear. Quaiches are traditional Scottish drinking vessels, one's this size were passed around at ceremonial occasions. They are popular christening gifts in Scotland. The firm of H.H. Plante (Henry Hudson Plante) worked between 1907 and 1980.

A magnificent silver beaker, decorated with 10 silver staves, which in addition to being decorative greatly improve the grip. It is extremely good quality and weight, and a pleasure to hold. The base is engraved "Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co, Regent St, W", and the hallmarks are clear. The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths company existed from 1880 to 1952, when it was absorbed into Garrards, the Crown Jewellers. Given it's date of 1916, we imagine it was used for water or whisky by an officer in the Great War. This beaker is a replica of a medieval beaker dated 1496 (Henry VII), that used to belong to Cardinal Wolsey. It is featured in an advertisement for Alexander Clark Co Ltd of Oxford Street, London, priced at 3 pounds 10 shillings, that appeared in The Connoisseur magazine of July 1912, which advertised reproductions of historical and classic cups, including the tudor bowl and cup, and Pompeii jug. High quality reproductions of famous silver items were popular in the early years of the 20th century, they ar...

An interesting Georg Jensen silver and enamel napkin ring, this is the Cherub napkin ring No. 258 with blue enamel. The winged cherub is in a central roundel, connected to the elegant shaped ring with 4 silver balls. The hallmarks are very clear, and read :DESSIN HN DENMARK GEORG JENSEN & WENDEL A/S STERLING 925S". Dessin HN refers to the designer Harald Nielsen, who was the brother of Jensen's 3rd wife Johanne. He joined the Jensen business in 1909, he was a gifted draughtsman, who together with Jensen and Johan Rohde "helped to establish the Jensen style as we know it and the firm's tradition for outstanding quality" - Janet Drucker, Georg Jensen A Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 301 (a book we highly recommend). Nielsen became artistic leader of the Georg Jensen Silversmithy in 1935 after Jensen's death. The Jensen Wendel hallmark was used between 1945 and 1951, as during these years there was a trademark dispute over the Jensen brand with Jensen USA. This Cherub napkin ring no.258 is depicted in the ab...

A World War II 9 carat gold and enamel sweetheart brooch for the Durban Light Infantry Regiment of South Africa. The brooch features the infantry bugle with tassels under the Royal crown. The brooch has 2 colours of enamel, red in the crown and green for the letters DLI. It is mounted on a bar brooch, also 9 carat gold, the pin is also gold, often the pins are a base metal. The brooch is clearly hallmarked 9CT for nine carat gold, the clasp is also marked 9 for 9 carat gold. The George VI crown shows this dates to WW II, the DLI fought in North Africa and Italy (including El Alamein and Monte Cassino). The regiment was founded in 1854, and still exists today, they were called the Royal Durban Light Infantry between 1935 and 1961 when South Africa became a Republic.

A Royal South African Air Force gold sweetheart brooch, dating from World War II. The brooch features the crest of the old Union of South Africa, with 4 quarters for the four provinces, an ox wagon representing Transvaal Province, a woman with an anchor representing Cape Province, two wildebeests representing Natal Province and an orange tree representing the Orange Free State Province. This is surrounded by a laurel wreath, under the Royal crown of King George VI, between the traditional pilots feathered wings. This badge is incorporated into a bar brooch (not added as is usual for sweetheart brooches), the hinge, clasp and pin are also gold. The brooch also has a suspension loop attached to a fine gold chain and gold safety pin, all in perfect condition, this was a good quality brooch when it was made. The brooch is clearly hallmarked 9CT for nine carat gold. The Royal South African Air Force provided 35 squadrons during World War II, mostly in North Africa and Italy, with 18000 staff deployed.

A Dutch antique silver miniature longcase clock (grandfather clock), this is a reproduction of an 18th century clock (staande horloges in Dutch). The clock is richly decorated, the ogee base has 3 panels with boats, a windmill and church spire with houses. The main body is decorated with flowers, foliage and scrolls, the pierced hinged door (with locking mechanism) opens to reveal a pendulum (decorative, not functional). The main clock housing has barley twist front, panelled sides, hinged front piece with clasp (zig -zag to hold glass in place), this swings upwards to allow adjustment of clock hands. The rear has a circular hinged door to access clock mechanism. The top of the clock has 2 cast reclining angels (putti), and 2 winged angels blowing horns standing either side. The central figure is missing (atlas holding a globe which we have seen on other examples). Hallmarks include lion passant (2nd standard purity 833) and makers mark JPH struck on back, Minerva duty mark with A for Amsterdam struck on the ...

A WW II South African Artillery Regiment 9 carat gold and enamel sweetheart brooch, the detail is lovely. The brooch features a cannon under Royal crown with red enamel, with motto "UBIQUE" (everywhere) in blue enamel above cannon, and "South Africa / Suid Afrika" in blue enamel below. The brooch is clearly hallmarked 9CT for 9 carat gold, the clasp and hinge are also gold but the pin is not, it is stamped "Metal". 14 South African artillery regiments served in North Africa and Italy during the second world war.

A 9 Carat gold World War II Transvaal Scottish Volunteers Regiment Sweetheart brooch, with motto " Alba nam Buadh (Scotland, Home of the Virtues), in full working order. The brooch is lovely quality, with 2 tones of gold (yellow and red), set on a bar brooch. The back of the brooch is engraved "MOIRA 12/6/42", and both the brooch and the clasp are clearly hallmarked 9CT for nine carat gold. The Transvaal Scottish Regiment was established by John Murray, 7th Earl of Atholl, in 1902 at the end of the Anglo Boer War, it still exists today. During World War 2 when this brooch was presented, the regiment fought mostly in North and East Africa, notably at El Alamein.

A W.R.N.S. (Women's Royal Naval Service) 9 carat gold and enamel Sweetheart brooch, probably dating back to WW II. The brooch has lovely detail, with 2 tones of gold, the W.R.N.S. badge of a bird (wren) sitting on an anchor behind the naval crown, above W.R.N.S. scroll in blue enamel. This is mounted on a 9 carat gold bar brooch, with gold pin and locking clasp, often these pins are not gold. The bar is clearly hallmarked 9CT for 9 carat gold. The W.R.N.S. (popularly and officially known as the Wrens) was the Women's branch of the Royal Navy, served as cooks, clerks, wireless telegraphists, radar plotters, weapons analysts, range assessors, electricians and air mechanics, in 1944 they had 75000 service women.

A South African Medical Corps WW II gold sweetheart brooch, mounted on a bar brooch. The badge features the rod of Aesculapius with a serpent entwined round it, head uppermost and looking left, all within a laurel wreath, under a Royal crown, the same badge as used by the Royal Medical Corps. The Scroll below reads "S.A.M.C / S.A.G.D.", translated in Afrikaans the Suid Afrikaanse Geneeskunige Diens. The brooch is clearly hallmarked 9CT for 9 carat gold, the swivel clasp securely fastens the pin.

A World War II 9 carat gold and enamel sweetheart brooch for the Durban Light Infantry Regiment of South Africa. The brooch features the infantry bugle with tassles under the Royal crown. The brooch has 2 colours of enamel, red in the crown and blue for the letters DLI, the gold has 2 tones, this is a lovely quality brooch. The clasp has a swivel locking mechanism to keep it safely fastened. the brooch is clearly hallmarked 9CT for nine carat gold. The George VI crown shows this dates to WW II, the DLI fought in North Africa and Italy (including El Alamein and Monte Cassino). The regiment was founded in 1854, and still exists today, they were called the Royal Durban Light Infantry between 1935 and 1961 when South Africa became a Republic.

A Gold and enamel sweetheart brooch for the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), set on a gold safety pin for attachment. The brooch has the regimental badge, complete with battle honours "ALBUHERA" in white enamel, "ICH DIEN" and "MIDDLESEX REGT" in blue enamel, and the Royal coronet of the Duke of Cambridge in red enamel. The badge also has gold Prince of Wales plumes, and the cypher of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge. The brooch has no hallmarks, but most brooches of this period were 15 Carat gold. The regiment existed between 1881 and 1966, but has battle honours from Albuhera (Peninsular War, 16 May 1811), their nickname was the "Die Hards". They fought during the Anglo Boer War (Relief of Ladysmith), First World War and Second World War, when they were a machine gun regiment. We believe this brooch to be either Boer War or WWI period.