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.

An antique Dutch silver lodereindoosje, made in Amsterdam in 1809. The english translation would be vinaigrette, pomander of scent box. The box is in the form of an armoire (kabinet) in traditional shape, with domed lid and shaped doors, decorated with swags and urns, with drawers in the base. The sides and lid are decorated with traditional Dutch scenes, the lid a man with angel alongside tree and horse, the back with a couple in horse drawn cart, and the sides with women churning butter and carrying milk. The base has original owners engraved initials P.V.I., nicely engraved. The hallmarks on the base are clear, and include date letter b for 1809, Amsterdam town mark of 3 crosses without crown (only used between 1807 and 1812 during Kingdom of Holland period). The 3rd mark is 10, the 10 penningen silver standard mark (833/1000), see "Netherlands Responsibility Marks from 1797" page 37, and the 4th mark is makers mark of a heart under device, this mark is slightly worn. This is the mark of Dirk Goedhart, so ...

A Cape silver konfyt fork in the Old English pattern, with 3 tines. The fork is hallmarked with makers mark OA in oval punch, this is faintly struck but still visible, between two square devices with 4 dots, these are both clearly struck ( Welz mark 2). Ahlers worked as a silversmith between 1810 and his death in 1827. He married the widow of silversmith Jan Brevis, which may have facilitated his entry into the trade. He was the son of Oltman Alders of Germany, his mother was Dorothea of Bengal, who presumably arrived in the Cape as a slave. His silver is quite scarce.

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 ...

A lovely set of 12 Art Deco Dutch silver knife rests, in excellent condition and a very pleasing weight. They are classic angular Art Deco design, quite pleasing on the eye. All 12 are hallmarked with makers mark V over half moon, and the Dutch silver single sword mark (1906-1953), used on small work. This is the makers mark of Zilverfabriek Voorschoten, a mark used by Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today. These knife rests would also be suitable for sushi chopsticks.

A Dutch silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoon (or porridge spoon as referred to by the Dutch) made in Utrecht in 1805 by Sebastiaan de Mare. The spoon has the traditional Hanoverian central rib with turn up end, and a wide drop. The spoon has the original owners initials BI engraved on the back of the spoon, dating back to when spoons were placed on the table bowl down (with initials displayed). The spoon has 5 clear hallmarks, including an excellent makers mark of a laying deer for Sebastiaan Gijsbert de Mare, this mark is a lovely makers mark and exceptionally well struck and clear. The spoon also has the Utrecht city coat of arms mark struck twice, indicating first standard ( Grote Keur), or 925 sterling standard. The date letter is slighty obscured, we believe X for 1805 but could also be K for 1793. The final mark is the Dutch Crowned O second assay mark, quite rare as only used between 1807 and 1810, used as a re-examination mark of earlier silver when resold, or for imported articles without payment of ...

A rare set of 6 Rose pattern Victorian silver teaspoons, by the highly respected firm of Elkington. These are the heaviest and best quality teaspoons we have ever encountered, each teaspoon averages over 44 grammes, no expense was spared when these were made. The pattern is double struck, and has good detail, with trailing roses, and Anthemion heel (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 131. The crest area has not been engraved. The hallmarks are clear, it appears the Elkington and Co Ltd makers mark is overstriking another maker, indicating Elkington purchased these from a specialist maker (possibly CJ Vander, who are known to have possessed Rose pattern dies, depicted in Pickfords book, pg 25) and overstruck their mark, a common practise. Pickford describes the pattern as rare, and he notes 2 different types (different heels). Close examination shows that these spoons have a slightly different design from the one depicted in Pickfords Flatware book (pg 131), with more leaves, so different dies must have been made. ...

A rare and unusual Victorian silver sovereign case, which holds 5 gold sovereigns. The case is circular and is beautifully designed, it opens on a central swivel, into a semi-circle, with slots for 5 sovereigns. The case has a loop, for attachment to a watch chain (Albert), it can also be worn as a pendant. Both sides of the case are decorated with scrolling foliage, and a tulip like flower. This case is good quality, we have not seen this design before. The hallmarks are clear. Edward and Noble Haseler were established in 1883, they had London premises at 94 Hatton Gardens (Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, pg 220).

A very pleasing pair of Scottish Provincial silver sugar tongs, by David Gray of Dumfries. The tongs are plain but have lovely proportions, which are noticeably different from English made tongs. The hallmarks are excellent, unicorn, makers mark DG, and fouled anchor. This combination of marks is unusual and is not recorded by either Jackson (pg 597) or by Turner (Directory of Scottish Provincial Silversmiths). The tongs are engraved with script initials EB, which is original.

A magnificent Hanau silver serving spoon, commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia), whose nickname was "Der Alte Fritz" (Old Fritz). The handle of the spoon is a very detailed full length cast figure, with detail on both the back and front. Frederick is standing on a plinth with the dates "1740-1786", the dates he reigned, on top of the Imperial Prussian Eagle and Crown. The spoon bowl (also cast) is heart shaped, with decorative flowers and foliage. The spoon is excellent quality, suitable for display or use. Frederick, also Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, modernised the Prussian army and won military acclaim, so much so that even Napoleon regarded him as one of the greatest tactical geniuses of his time. J.D. Schleissner & Sohne were Hanau's "pre-eminant producer of antique style silverware in the latter 19th century (www.925-1000.com), they exhibited at the 1893 Chicago and 1904 St Louis international expositions. The hallmarks are clear, and inclu...

A Scottish provincial antique silver toddy ladle, Fiddle pattern with engraved initial L, and long elegant handle (longer than most toddy ladles). The hallmarks are very clear, AC, C, thistle, pot of lilies, AC. Alexander Cameron added the thistle mark to the Dundee pot of lilies in the early 19th century, after the manner of Edinburgh marks (Jackson, pg 599).

An interesting antique silver milk (or cream) jug, hallmarked in Exeter but possibly made in Devon. It is oblong in shape, with an unusual cast rim with different types of flowers and thistles, and a very fine engraved band of scrolling foliage around the body. The jug has an ornate leaf and rose capped scroll handle, and 4 bun feet. The jug, casting and engraving is very fine quality, the work of a master craftsman. The 5 hallmarks are all clear, including makers mark SL. The base has an engraved number "10", possibly an inventory number. The oblong shape was popular for tea services between 1805 and 1815 in London, we often see a style lag in provincial centres. Simon Levy produced Exeter hallmarked silver between 1818 and 1832. Of Jewish origin, he was buried in the Jewish burial ground in Exeter, just outside the Roman wall. He was the son of Emanuel Levy, also a silversmith. They resided in the parish of St Thomas, Devon.

A lovely 9 carat gold music prize medallion, decorated with crisp and finely detailed musical instruments, including a harp, violin, trombone, oboe and clarinet, complete with sheets of music. The medallion is engraved "SFCC EISTEDDFOD, 1922, SENr Piano Solo, 1st Prize, Miss M Butt". The engraving has been done by hand. The medallion is attached to a gold link by scrolling foliage. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark T&S, 9 ct gold hallmarks, Birmingham town mark and date letter for 1922. The ring also has gold hallmarks.

A delightful associated pair of Madeira wine labels, with Bacchus masks amongst foliage. The labels were made 4 years apart, but obviously cast from the same mould, by the same maker. The hallmarks on both labels are very clear. The order of the hallmarks is the same, but different punches were used as they are different sizes. This design must have been popular for Willmore to have been producing it for at least a 4 year period. Note the slightly different chain fixture (one has an arm with single loop, the other 2 loops but no arm). One chain appears original, the other is a later replacement.

A lovely cast silver belt buckle, probably a nurses buckle depicting a bird, butterfly, flowers and bullrushes (on each buckle). The quality is exceptional, the design is well modelled with lovely detail. The buckle was designed by Winifred Green (wife of Charles), who was a talented designer (Source Culme, London goldsmiths). Charles established the firm in 1903, so this buckle was one of their earlier pieces. The firm still exists today, and has a showroom in Cross St, Hatton Gardens, London. The hallmark is extremely clear.

Delightful heart shaped vesta case in excellent condition, with engraved initials FVB. The hallmarks are very clear, the lid is also hallmarked. This case has a nice feel in the hand. Vesta cases (called matchsafes in USA) were used to carry wax vesta matches (predate safety matches), they were struck on the serrated edge of the case.

A beautiful set of Queens pattern tableforks, extremely heavy (over 100 grams each!), they are wonderful to hold! Interesting crest of a curved topped escutcheon containing a wagon wheel, topped with a helmet and a heron. Hallmarks very clear.

A set of 6 sterling silver coffee spoons with matching sugar spoon in original box, with stylised Celtic dogs head finials. The spoons are plain but quite striking with the stylised finial. These spoons have been described as birds and snakes, we prefer the Celtic dog description - all assistance welcome as to the origin of these spoons. All seven spoons are clearly hallmarked, some for 1926 and some for 1927.

A set of 3 Cape silver tablespoons by Johannes Combrink, who worked in Cape Town between 1814 and 1853. These spoons are excellent quality and robust, well suited for use. The spoons resemble the Old English pattern, but are Continental in design, with a V shaped drop, strong lip on tip and flattening to the top half of the handles. Given the Continental style of these spoons, which is confined to early Cape flatware, we can assume they were made early in Combrink's career, probably between 1814 (when Combrink started producing silver) and 1820, when the English 1820 settlers arrived in the Cape, bringing with them English styles. Each spoon has a small identification nick on the back at the top of the handle (1-2 mm). The makers mark IC (Welz mark 32) is clearly struck on all 3 spoons.

An Irish Georgian silver punch ladle, quite small in size, identical in form to the larger punch ladles, we are not sure if it is intended for punch or another liquid (bowl very similar in size to Scottish toddy ladles, so perhaps an Irish Whiskey toddy ladle?). The bowl is circular, with a substantial pouring lip, and angled handle, the turned wooden handle is stained black. The wooden handle is securely fastened with silver pin, we believe this to be original, with no repairs. The interior of the bowl has 3 hallmarks, makers mark J.T in rectangular punch, partially struck (due to curved surface) harp crowned for Dublin, and clearly struck duty mark for William IV, the punch with 4 indents, this punch was only used in 1831 and 1832. This particular makers mark is interesting, J.T in rectangular punch, it is not recorded by Bennett in his book "Collecting Irish Silver (highly recommended), it is recorded by Jackson (page 655) preserved on a pewter plate, but listed as unknown. Amongst the most likely candidat...