A beautiful and very good quality antique silver spoon, commemorating the Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) of Queen Victoria in 1897. The spoon has the Royal Coat of Arms and motto "Dieu et Mon Droit", a medallion bust of Queen Victoria, a Scottish thistle, VR for "Victoria Reigns", and the dates 1837-1897. The spoon is a pleasing weight and quality, this would have been an expensive souvenir in its day. The hallmarks are good, and include makers mark WG over JL, for William Gibson and John Langman. Gibson & Langman, originally from Belfast, Ireland, founded the famous Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co Ltd in 1880, which was amalgamated into Garrards in 1952. They used the WG/JL mark until 1898, when they switched to the more familiar G&S Co Ltd mark. John Langman equipped and maintained the Langman field hospital during the Boer War, he was created Baronet in 1906.

A magnificent pair of Victorian silver gilt spoons, with a beautiful figure of a maiden (or Goddess), sculpted with lovely detail. She is full figure, with a long flowing dress with a high slit, with flowers adorning the front. She holds her arms crossed, and has her hair in a bun. The design has a strong Art Nouveau look and feel, these spoons were well ahead of their time when made in 1873. The spoons are very good quality and gauge, very suitable for use as serving spoons for a dessert. The hallmarks are very clear on both spoons. Henry William Curry took over the business of Augustus Piesse in 1868, which he continued until 1889. Of interest is that Curry was in trouble with the Goldsmiths Hall in 1880 in a matter of counterfeiting hallmarks (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 366).

A lovely German silver traditional marriage or bridal cup, in 800 silver, in the form of a lady in 17th century costume. The lady has a tight bodice, and wear a traditional hat. Her outstretched arms hold a foliate openwork support from which the small swivel cup is suspended. Her wide long skirt forms the bottom cup, the decoration is very fine, this is a truly lovely example. These cups originated in Nuremberg in the 17th century, they were called "Jungfraubecher" and were used in wedding banquets, where the spouse drinks from the bigger cup, the bride drinks from the smaller cup simultaneously, with the aim of not spilling a drop. The cups were also popular at the end of the 19th century, when they were used for wagers as well as weddings, hence the name wager cup. Richard Garten was active in Dresden between 1860 and 1905, he specialized in commemorative pieces and antique reproductions. His work is always very good quality, this piece is no exception. The hallmarks include the moon and crown (Germany po...

A Cape silver Fiddle pattern dessert fork, with contemporary engraved initial M. The fork has excellent hallmarks, makers mark WM and the Cape Stub mark (see our articles section) consisting of 4 English pseudo hallmarks, Lion passant, date letter capital A, Georgian kings head duty mark and leopards head (town mark for London). The fork is very good quality and weight, and is suitable for use. The tines are very long, longer than usual, this fork has probably not been used. What is interesting about this Cape stub mark is that the punch is showing signs of wear, particularly the Leopards head. This lead to a mistake in Morrison (The Silversmiths and Goldsmiths of the Cape of Good Hope, 1936, pg 59), and later Heller (History of Cape Silver), where the hallmark is mistakenly drawn as an anchor (MM63 in Heller, pg 154).

A Victorian silver wine bottle stand, with blank central cartouche (suitable for engraving), with embossed shell and scroll decoration, raised edge and 4 very ornate scrolling feet. It is a good weight and is good quality, and suitable for use. The base is engraved "Hunt & Roskell, Late Storr & Mortimer, 8095". The sterling lion, town mark, date letter and duty mark are clear, but the makers mark is very faint and barely visible (although not necessary with the full name engraved on the base). Hunt & Roskell were the most prestigious silversmiths of Victorian England, having descended from Paul Storr, the most famous of English silversmiths. They were silversmiths and jewellers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and had an important display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1865 it was recorded that they were the largest holders of precious stones in Europe (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, pg 245).

A pair of Cape silver dessert forks in the Fiddle pattern, with contemporary engraved initials "WHG". The initials are engraved on the back of the forks, indicating the fashion to place forks with tines down at that time. The forks are very good quality, a pleasing weight and are in excellent condition. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark WM and the "Cape Stub" mark, with 4 pseudo English hallmarks (see our articles section for a description of the Cape Stub).

Two Scottish silver toddy ladles in the Fiddle pattern, both made in Glasgow but by different makers at a different time (not a pair). The earlier one by D. McDonald is slightly longer, and has an engraved initial W. The later one by W. Allan is shorter, and has a less pronounced bowl angle. Both have a very clear and full set of Glasgow hallmarks, the fish, bird and bell being fully visible in the town mark.

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).

An interesting pair of Victorian silver serving spoons, with very ornate cast handles, topped with a harvest maiden, holding wheat sheaves and what appears to be a cauliflower? The bowls have an unusual rectangular shape, and a small rat-tail. The stems are very ornate, twisted tree stems decorated with a lion, dolphins and a harvest God. The well modelled finial is a maiden in flowing dress, holding the produce. The spoons are in their original box, and appear to have never been used. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, with makers mark H.W for Lee & Wigfull, who worked between 1895 and 1931. These spoons are suitable for use as serving spoons (bowls 6.3 cm * 5.3 cm.)

An interesting ornate antique silver belt buckle, with a cast "devils head" complete with horns, moustache, beard and toothy grin, which has been applied on a pierced background, complete with stylised lions heads and scrolling foliage. We imagine the buckle has some significance, perhaps to commemorate a popular opera or play at the time. Devils and demons were often portrayed on silver items in late Victorian times, some examples can be seen on the Acsas website (http://www.ascasonline.org/windowD20.html). Both parts of the buckle are hallmarked, the hallmarks are small but clear. The makers makr is HB cojoined. Hayes Brothers (William and Harry) worked from 73 Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, between 1889 and 1896, they specialised in buckles and small silver objects.

An interesting antique silver miniature scale, with 2 circular weighing pans mounted on 4 supports, resting on a table with a drawer with handle. Four weights of different sizes are also present, along with 2 bars, we assume lifters to manouvre the weights. The table is rectangular, on 4 feet with a skirt, and is decorated with S shaped scrolls. The scale is 835 grade silver, typical of continental silver (and slightly lower grade than 925 sterling silver). The scale contains a number of interesting hallmarks, but as they are quite small they are difficult to decipher. The first mark is ZII, which is the Netherlands import mark for 835 grade silver, indicating the scale was imported into the Netherlands at some stage (Tardy, International Hallmarks, pg 327). The second mark is Ad81 in a rectangular punch, we assume a makers mark? (suggestions welcome!). The 3rd mark is 835 in an oval punch (silver purity mark), the 4th mark is tiny and difficult to read, looks like "42NO" in a six sided punch, which would be ...

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 set of 8 Fiddle pattern Russian silver teaspoons, with engraved contempory initial W, by the famous maker Sazikov. The spoons are of exceptional quality, and are in excellent condition, with perfectly preserved tips, and no scratches or dents at all. Sazikov was founded in 1793 by Pavel Sazikov, they received the Imperial warrant in 1846, meaning they were one of a few select firms chosen to supply the Russian Imperial family. All 8 teaspoons carry the Imperial Warrant double headed eagle hallmark, which is well struck. Sazikov produced very high quality silver until the Russian revolution of 1917, the firm being run first by Pavel's son Ignaty, later by Ignaty's sons Pavel and Sergei (Watts, Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks, pg 27). The hallmarks are very clear, and in addition to the Imperial eagle include Sazikov makers mark in Cyrillic, assay masters mark B.C. for Victor Savinkov, date letter 1862, standard mark 84 (zolotniks) and city mark for Moscow (St George killing dragon).

A lovely pair of decorative Hanau silver Christening (or anointing) spoons, with an Apostle carrying a baby standing on a winged cherub's head. The stems are twisted, the base decorated with a peacock eating fruit, above a face. The back of the bowls are richly decorated with a diamond pattern and scrolling foliage, and the spoons have a rat tail. The spoons are cast, and as such are quite solid, with a pleasing weight. As is usual with Hanau silver, they are replica's of fine 17th century German silver. The spoons, which have no Hanau hallmarks, were imported into Britian in 1889 by David Bridge of the firm John Smith & Co, as can be seen by makers mark D.B and capital F (hallmark for foreign silver, used between 1867 and 1903). The spoons also have date letter O for 1889. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear. John Smith & Co. imported a great deal of decorative silver into Britian, much of which was of German origin, presumably Hanau (Culme, Gold and silversmiths).

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...

An important Royal silver brandy saucepan, which was given by Queen Victoria to her grandson Prince Christian Victor (Christle) of Schleswig-Holstein in 1868 as a christening present. The quality of the saucepan is excellent, it is the usual bulbous shape with a spout and turned ivory handle. It has a detachable domed lid, with a hinged projection for covering the spout, and an ivory and silver finial. The interior is gilt, it sits on a raised foot and has the traditional heart shaped join between body and handle. The saucepan and lid are both decorated with scrolling foliage and flowers, which is beautifully engraved. The lid fits snugly, the hinge is excellent, and the handle and finial are firmly secure. The saucepan is engraved "From his Grandmama Victoria R, 14 April 1868" on the front, the back has a scrolling foliate cartouche with the engraved initials "CV" below a coronet. The hallmarks are very clear, and are accompanied by the number 113 struck into the base (perhaps a pattern number?). The base al...

An antique Essex crystal brooch, set in an attractive 18 carat gold setting with rope border. The brooch contains the burgee (yacht club pennant) of the Royal London Yacht Club, with the London crest under a crown. The brooch is of extremely good quality, and is in immaculate condition. The crystal is convex, polished into a cabochon, the image itself is carved and hand painted, and the viewer is given a 3 dimensional view. The Royal London Yacht Club was founded in 1838, and is now based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The hallmarks are very clear, and include the crown and "18" indicating 18 carat gold, Chester wheatsheaf town mark, date letter gothic "S" for 1881, and makers mark R.N. for Richard Nevill, who was a manufacturing jeweller based in Birmingham (Chester Gold and Silver Marks, Ridgway and Priestley, pg 360), they worked between 1880 and 1917. The rim has additional 18 ct hallmarks, and the gold pin is also hallmarked.

An extremely rare Cape silver knife, with ivory handle and engraved on the blade "EHM from HOM". The hallmarks are extremely clear, pseudo - English duty mark and castle, with makers mark JML (mark 82 in Welz, Cape Silver). These are accompanied by another mark, some sort of device, unrecorded in Welz. The knife is very well made, good quality and a pleasing weight. The ivory handle shows good texture and a changing colour from dark to light. The knife is extremely rare, being the only known example recorded to date. The leading authority on Cape Silver Stephan Welz said "I have been unable to trace any Cape silver knives" (Cape Silver pg 73), and David Heller said "the only type of silver knife in use at the Cape seems to have been the butter knife (History of Cape Silver, pg 202). Johannes Lotter was part of the highly regarded Lotter family of Cape silversmiths, being the son of Willem and the brother of Carel.

A miniature Continental silver teapot, with a magnificent birds head spout, with lovely detail. The teapot is oval shaped, and is decorated with an attractive band of vertical leaves, with a similar pattern repeated on the lid. The lid is domed and has a ball finial. the handle is dark composite, securely attached with brass pins. The teapot is a pleasing weight and is very good quality, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The makers mark ZV is distinct and clear, this is accompanied by another partially struck mark, a shield with 3 vertical staves under a band, with dots above (a crown?). We have not identified either mark, assistance most welcome!

A Russian silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with very clear hallmarks, including town mark for Tallinn (now Estonia). The town mark is a shield containing 3 lions, and was used between 1842 and 1920 (Watts, Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks). The assay masters mark is very clear (YaN), the mark is recorded by Watts but unknown (pg 89). The makers mark CRH (Rubert Hermann) is very clear, he also worked in Tartu. The spoon has scripted initials "G et WP" on the front, and "H&TJ" on the back next to the hallmarks.