A Queen Elizabeth 2 1975 Round The World Maiden Cruise sterling silver commemorative medallion, in it's original box. The medallion shows the QE2 ship on a globe with lines of longitude and latitude, the reverse has a map of the world showing the route, with the port of calls as follows: "SOUTHAMPTON / CHERBOURG NEW YORK / PORT EVERGLADES CURACAO / SALVADOR BAHIA RIO DE JANEIRO CAPE TOWN / DURBAN MOMBASA MAHE SEYCHELLES BOMBAY COLOMBO, and continuing below: SINGAPORE BALI HONG KONG KOBE YOKOHAMA / HONOLULU LOS ANGELES ACAPULCO BALBOA / CRISTOBAL CARTAGENA PORT EVERGLADES / NEW YORK CHERBOURG / SOUTHAMPTON". The QE2 visited 23 ports in 92 days during the maiden voyage, it served from 1969-2008. This medallion is catalogued as Laidlaw 0616. The medallion is clearly hallmarked on the rim, YM for Yorkshire Mint, who specialised in commemorative medallions in the 1970's. The medallion also has a Birmingham anchor hallmark separately on the rim, but no edition number (which we have noted on other ...
A Patrick Mavros silver sculpture of a Cape Buffalo on a blackwood base, miniature in size. The buffalo is realistically modelled, this is one of Africa's "Big Five". The base has a silver PM button trademark, the buffalo 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 still in production, and can be seen on the Mavros website.
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 lovely Irish silver Bright Cut Celtic Point tablespoon, with traditional Dublin Star cut on the terminal. The spoon has an oval cartouche, with engraved family crest of a Griffin holding branch with leaves, this is crisp and clear. The spoon is bottom marked, and unusually has excellent hallmarks (bottom marked hallmarks are oftern squashed), they could not be better. The include Dublin Hibernia and Harp Crowned, date letter O for 1786, and makers mark J.S for John Shiels (or Sheils) who worked between 1762 and 1790.
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 set of Art Deco sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, perfectly preserved in original box. The spoons have a horseshoe shaped bowl, and long elegant tapered handles. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks. The box reads "L Pinn & Co, Jewellers, 43-45 Adderley Street, Cape Town. Lazerus Pinn was a Lithuanian emigrant who arrived in Cape Town in the 1880's, he opened the jewellery store in 1893, it has remained in the family and still trades today under the leadership of Jeremy Pinn.
A Chinese Export silver dessert fork in the Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, one of the most popular Fiddle pattern variants. The fork is excellent quality and gauge, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and Ame...
A Chinese Export silver dessert spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with no engraving. The spoon is good quality, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are good, with only slight wear to the top of the makers mark, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and American silver...
A collection of 18 vintage Stocknagel, or hiking staff medallions, (also called walking stick badges), bought by hikers to commemorate a particular hike, and attached to their walking stick. Each medallion is stamped metal (not silver), with 2 holes for pin attachment, with lovely detail as can be seen on the photographs. The medallions include: 1. Dresden Neues Rathaus 2. Am Walchensee 3. Carl Hagenbucks Tierpark, Altona Stellingen, Haupteinsgang 4. Riessersee 5. Garmisch Partenkirchen 6. Mittenwold Viererspitse 7. Zum Besten Des Deutchen Marine Ehrenmals Kiel Laboe 8. St Johann Saarbruchen Kaiser Wilhelm Denkmaal 9. Dinkelsbuhl V Ost 10. Heidelberg C Weiss 11. Eibsee Mit Zugspitze 12. Loreleyfelsen 13. Feldberg Schwarzw 1500m UDM 14. Partenkurchen 722m Gegen die Zugspitze 2964m 15. Seilschwebebahn Zum Kreuzeck 1652m 16. Urfeld Am Walchenzee 17. Richard Wagner Bayreuth Festspilhaus 18. Nurnberg Eppelein Spring.
An interesting coin silver American single struck Kings shape Thread and Shell pattern teaspoon, made by Samuel Kirk between 1824 and 1827. Whilst we describe this as a teaspoon, it is a large and heavy teaspoon, perfect for eating dessert. Single struck flatware means the pattern is only struck on one side, this only occurred in Scotland in the UK. The spoon has the original owners engraved family crest, a human head with full beard. The spoon has 3 hallmarks, makers mark S.Kirk in serrated rectangular punch for Samuel Kirk, Baltimore Coat of Arms large oval shield mark (quality mark), date letter C for 1824 - 1827, these are all well struck and clear. This dates to a very interesting period in US silver history, Baltimore between 1814 and 1830 was the only place and date where hallmarks were required on silver in the USA. The State Legislature of Maryland passed the Assay Act of 1814, which set the quality standard at 917, the Act was repealed in 1830 due to opposition by the affected silversmiths, includ...
An antique Dutch silver Zeeland Button costume belt buckle, in excellent condition. The buckle has 14 silver Zeeland buttons (Zilver Zeeuwse Knop), 2 large and 12 small, on a rectangular belt buckle, with central supporting strut for attachment to belt. The buttons themselves are made to a traditional design, with balls and filigree work, each Zeeland district has a slight variation. The buckle has 2 hallmarks, makers mark JW and the Dutch sword mark quality guarantee. The Dutch Button has been part of the Zeeland traditional costume since the 18th century.
An antique sterling silver bowl or ash tray, set in the centre with a copper 1 penny Zuid Afrik. Republiek coin dated 1898. The bowl is engraved "Kruger Coinage", still clearly visible but worn from polishing. This penny was part of the first Kruger coinage, initiated in 1892 by President Paul Kruger. The bowl is dated 1900, which co-incides with the Anglo Boer War, we are not sure of the significance. The hallmarks are visible but slightly worn from polishing. The coin is in good condition, it has been protected by the raised silver rim.
An interesting antique silver Past Primo badge, from the Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) branch of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Buffs). The badge is very ornate, with central Buffalo head, complete with horns and red cabochon eyes (not sure if these are rubies?). The head is surrounded by blue enamel belt buckle, Past - Primo, set on a very ornate and finely engraved background of scrolls and flowers. The badge is suspended from a scroll with Buffalo horn, engraved Rhodesia, with bar at the back for attachment to a ribbon. The badge is quite large and heavy, quite good quality. The back is engraved "Presented to Primo T. Longmore for Valuable Services Rendered 1907". The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark for Arthur Fenwick, who specialized in medallions, the suspension bar is also hallmarked. The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) was founded in 1822, and still exists today. It is similar to the Freemasons but is open in its practices, which are mostly charitable today. They were...
An interesting Cape silver tablespoon, that appears more Continental than Cape in style. It is Fiddle pattern, but without the shoulders seen in English Fiddle pattern, and the drop has a wide oval shape, another Continental silver feature. The spoon has a single hallmark, makers mark DC, well struck but by quite a crude, home made punch, with flaws in both letters. This punch is a different one from the one depicted in Welz (Cape Silver, pg 146, mark 21), but has been noted on other Cape Silver, so we are confident it is by Collinet (no other Cape silversmiths have initial DC). Collinet was born in Liege, Belgium, he worked in the Cape between 1810 and 1825. We assume he made this spoon early in his career, certainly before 1820 when a number of English silversmiths arrived in the Cape and dictated the style of silver.
A very interesting silver gilt cast spoon, with a well modelled gentleman in 18th century period dress, complete with cane and hat. The figure stands on a pedestal on twisted stem which changes texture (almost bark like) as it joins the spoon bowl. The spoon is in it's original box, marked "By Appointment A. Stephen & Co, Manufacturing Jewellers, Calcutta", so this spoon is well travelled. The hallmarks are very clear, and include registration number "RD 179159", showing the design was protected at the patent office. The spoon was probably designed as a Christening present for a wealthy family We welcome opinions on the origin of the figure.
A Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) silver baby pusher, of standard design and plain except for the Jugendstil decoration to the handle. The top of the pusher also has a wavy rim. The silver is 800 standard, which is common for German silver (usually 800 or 833 standard), so lower than sterling standard. The hallmarks are clear, including the German moon and crown used after 1888, 800 for grade, and wheel and star makers mark for Martin Mayer of Mainz. He started working in 1888, we have dated this circa 1905 given the style. Mayer produced designs by Peter Behrens, Hans Christiansen and Patriz Huber.
A lovely Edwardian Christening present, made by the specialist spoonmaker Francis Higgins. It is a replica rattail trefid spoon with ribbed rattail, very distinct notches, and very clear hallmarks. The spoon has no engraving, so would be suitable to be engraved. The spoon is excellent quality, and is a joy to hold. Replicas of 17th century silver items were popular during Edwardian times, the replicas are usually very good quality, as is this trefid spoon. Francis Higgins carried a hammer with him in the workshop to destroy any items not up to his standards (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). He also commented "it should last more than a lifetime, boy" - he would have been proud of this spoon. This spoon is very similar to one we have already sold (S 1327), which was made 4 years earlier, also by Higgins.
A Cape silver konfyt (preserve) fork in the Fiddle pattern, with 4 tines. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark LB for Lodewyk Willem Christiaan Beck, and pseudo-English duty and town marks (castle), mark 7 in Cape Silver by Welz. Beck worked firstly from Shortmarket Street and then moved to Greenmarket Square, still today a vibrant market in the heart of Cape Town. Konfyt forks were made and sold as individual items, and are described by Welz as "having a great deal of charm" (pg 65, Cape Silver, Welz).
A lovely example of an American souvenir spoon, which were very popular at the turn of the 20th century, and one of the finest we have encountered. The spoon depicts a Canadian Indian, complete with bow and arrows, tomahawk, feather headdress, Canada ribbon, and delightfully detailed moccasins. This is a rare spoon, the Indian here is not depicted in "Collectible Souvenir Spoons", the authority on souvenir spoons, by Wayne Bednersh. The spoon bowl depicts Brandon College, Brandon, Manitoba, and the Indian figure is holding the enamelled Royal Coat of Arms of the UK, with quarters of England, Scotland and Ireland, under the Royal Crown. This was used in Canada prior to the confederation in 1867, so it is a little mysterious why a Canadian spoon from 1900 is still using these arms. Brandon College was founded in 1899 as a Baptist institution, and was completed in 1901, this spoon would have commemorated the opening. Over 200 students of Brandon College fought during WWI, 2 were awarded the Victoria Cross. Brand...
A rare Cape silver salt spoon, in the Fiddle pattern, struck twice with a makers mark not depicted in any of the Cape silver reference books (although Ince is recorded in both Morrison and Welz). The spoon is struck twice with makers mark INCE, which is very distinct. The spoon is quite crudely made, slightly out of shape, it appears hand made in primitive conditions, it has a strong Colonial feel. The makers mark INCE is recorded by Turner as unascribed Scottish Provincial (Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths, pg 84). It was also recorded as "unascribed Scottish" by Jackson (2nd edition, pg 557, on a tablespoon circa 1770, owned by The Marquess of Breadalbane) - this had been corrected by the third edition. We believe that the possible Scottish attribution is incorrect, and should be corrected to Cape. A number of other Cape silver items made by Joseph Ince are known, including 3 items in the Mullne collection, now in a museum in Pretoria, all struck twice with INCE. In addition, a South Africa...