A delightful antique sterling silver hedgehog pillbox, made in Germany circa 1900 by Gebruder Kuhn of Schwabisch Gmund. The hedgehog is realistically modelled, his quills and textured tummy give a lovely feel to the box. This is a quality item, well modelled, and the hinge and clasp work extremely well, no chance of pills falling out. The tail acts as a thumbpiece, the lid is clearly hallmarked on the interior. Gebruder Kuhn was established in 1860, in 1900 they were awarded a silver medal at the Paris World Fair, in 1911 the received the Grand Prix at the World Expo in Turin, by 1918 they had 300 employees. The Unicorn hallmark is from the Schwabisch Gmund coat of arms.

A lovely late Victorian American Sterling silver hand mirror, by the highly regarded Gorham company. The mirror is embossed in deep relief with roses, with very fine detail. The quality is exceptional, this is a lovely item, a real work of art by a master craftsman. The hallmarks are clear, the Gorham Lion, Anchor and Gothic G, "Sterling" and date letter O.

A lovely set of 12 sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, with baluster finial. The spoon size and shape are nicely balanced, we really like these spoons. The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark B&S in serrated punch for Brook & Son of Edinburgh. Brook and Son were leading Edinburgh silversmiths and retailers from 1891 to 1939, they succeeded William Marshall & Sons.

A Cape silver soup ladle in the Fiddle pattern, it is quite large and of good weight, with a substantial bowl size, definitely larger than usual. In addition to it's large bowl, the handle is wider than usual, and the drop is large and rounded, more European in style than English. Overall it has a very appealing Colonial charm, quite different from English examples of the period, so probably from early in Twentyman's career, before his flatware more closely resembled English examples. The ladle has an original engraved owners crest, a running stag, the engraving also Colonial in style, the body of the stag a little too long, the engraving still crisp and clear, we really like it. The crest can be described as "Argent, a stag trippant attired and unguled", this is the South African crest of the McCarthy family (Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 205). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark LT for Lawrence Twentyman, and pseudo English hallmarks (duty mark, castle town mark, and date letter C) -...

An interesting Arts & Crafts copper ladle made by of of South Africa's leading Arts & Crafts silversmiths, the Austrian immigrant Kurt Jobst. The ladle has a long tapered handle, and a circular bowl that is quite flat, the bowl connected to the handle with a rat tail. The bowl (front and back) and the top of the handle are planished (hand hammered leaving a wonderful textured finish), in classic Arts & Crafts fashion, the back of the handle is smooth. The hallmarks are well struck and clear, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst". 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 (c...

An interesting set of 6 Victorian silver teapoons and matching sugartongs, with a 15th Century soldier carrying a halberd. This appears to be a private pattern, we have not been able to trace it in the pattern books (all assistance welcome). The pattern is very detailed, both on the front and the back, we love these spoons. In addition to the soldier, complete with collar, the front has what could be an apple tree, the back has a shield (unengraved, intended for family crest) and a different flowering plant, with a stipple background. The spoons and tongs are also great quality and a good weight, as one would expect from Elkington. All 7 pieces are clearly hallmarked, they also carry a registration mark "RD105810", so Elkington protected the design. All the spoons are 1892, the tongs are 1893. Elkington was one of the leading British Silversmiths in the 19 and 20th centuries, they were founded in 1836, and are known for their excellent quality. Note - We have now identified this pattern as "Tudor Men & Women"...

A Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English pattern, of good gauge, very suitable for use. Whilst the spoon is Old English pattern, the drop is definitely not English in style, it has a European flavour (which shows the different influences on Cape Silversmiths of the time). The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark WGL, this is very clearly struck in rectangular outline, which is unusual for this makers mark which is usually worn. The home made punch letters can clearly be seen, and the rectangular outline means it was struck early in his career before the punch became worn. The makers mark is between 2 oval "face" device marks, regularly used by Lotter (mark 88 in Welz, Cape Silver). We are not convinced this is a face as depicted by Welz, more research is required. The Lotter family are important in the history of Cape silver, with 12 members of the family known to have produced silver. Willem Godfried, who made this spoon, worked from 1810 - 1835, and is known for good quality work. David Heller described...

A lovely sterling silver and enamel cigarette case, with an oval enamel plaque depicting racing dogs (we assume greyhounds). The picture has 3 dogs, white, black and brown, with leather muzzles and a red bib. The case is excellent quality, and a pleasing weight, quite heavy in the hand, the interior is gilded. The hallmarks are clear on both lid and base.

A collection of 10 sterling silver and enamel souvenir shooting trophy spoons, all with 2 rifles as the handles. Six spoons have crossed rifles, 4 spoons have enamel finials, and 7 are from Africa (Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia - now Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe), with one from South Africa. The spoons include: 1. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, RMSB 1952, bare chested labourer crest, London 1911, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 2. Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, bare chested labourer crest, London 1912, Wakely & Wheeler, gilded bowl, fabulous quality 3. Birmingham Forward, enamel city crest of mural crown and arm with hammer (industry), Birmingham 1902, Arthur Fenwick 4. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1954, enamel crest of leopard, Birmingham 1952, James Fenton 5. NVR Blantyre Limbe, RMSB 1953, crest of leopard, Birmingham 1953, James Fenton 6. Northern Rhodesia Rifle Association, fish eagle holding fish, no hallmarks 7. Southern Rhodesia Defence Forces, Lion holding tusk, Sheffi...

A Dutch Arts & Crafts silver bowl, with hand hammered (planished) texture, which creates a very appealing finish. The bowl is circular, on a small base, with decorative band 2/3rd's of the way up (slightly wider here). The handles are circular, with tapered thumbpiece on top, with turn up at end for good grip. The top of the handles are planished as well. The bowl is very similar in shape and style to English porringers, but could also be used as a sugar bowl. The hallmarks are clear, Minerva mark with clear C for The Hague, Lion 835 standard mark, date letter Y for 1933 and makers mark V over moon for Zilverfabriek Voorschoten. This mark was used by Koninklijke Van Kempen & Begeer, founded in 1764 and still in existence today. This bowl would make an ideal Christening present.

A set of 2 Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoons, by a lesser known Cape silversmith whose work does not appear very often. The spoons are a slightly different length (being handmade) and have similar but different hallmarks, so they were probably made at different times. Both have makers mark DC in between two floral or star devices, but both the makers mark and devices have differences, indicating they were struck by different punches. One DC makers mark has separate DC, the other DC appears to be cojoined. The floral or star device was used by a number of Cape silversmiths, including Beets, Hockly, Lotter, Townsend, Twentyman and Vos. The makers mark DC between 2 stars is depicted in Heller's Cape Silver Vol 2 (pg 122), where it is shown as mark NMM15.

A Cape silver salt spoon, in the Fiddle pattern, with original gilded bowl. The original gilding is a light lemon colour, worn and scratched from use, but still clearly visible and quite charming. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark PD for Peter Clarke Daniel, alongside pseudo hallmarks date letter B in indented punch, date letter a and Georgian duty mark (Welz mark 41, page 148, Cape Silver). The presence of 2 different pseudo date letters is unusual, it appears Daniel was the only Cape silversmith who did this, perhaps he lacked understanding of the English hallmarking system. An original owners cross hatch scratch mark is also visible below makers mark, this is small and does not detract. Peter Clarke Daniel was born in Dublin, he arrived in the Cape with the 1820 settlers as a child.

A set of 24 gilded sterling silver medallions, produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa. The medallions are all in perfect condition, and are beautifully engraved, these are extremely high quality. Each weighs 36.5 grammes, has a proof like finish and is gold plated sterling silver. The complete set comes in original wooden box with red leather top and velvet and silk lined interior. The medallions depict 24 different South African wild animals including: baboon, buffalo, cheetah, crocodile, elephant, fish eagle, giraffe, green mamba, hippopotamus, hyena, impala, jackal, kudu, leopard, lion, oryx, rhinoceros, sable antelope, secretary bird, vervet monkey, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra. The reverse depicts the emblem of the Wildlife Society, a stylised sable antelope, surrounded by "ANNIVERSARY 50 HERDENKING". Each medallion also carries 4 hallmarks, "ET+, STG, antelope head, date letter C, being South African sterling hallmarks made by Africana Mint. T...

A Silver Troyan 20 Ounce 999 Fine Silver Medallion, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa (1683-1983). This is a huge medallion, it makes a fabulous paperweight. The front has 2 prospectors with pick and hammer, and reads "Silver Troyan 20 troy ounces 999 fine silver, 1683-1983, commemorating three hundred years of mining in South Africa". The back has the logo of the Asset Exchange, and reads "The gold and hard asset exchange, Johannesburg South Africa". The rim is hallmarked, crowned C, date letter I and No 03334, these are clearly struck. This medallion was the second in a series of 2, in 1982 the Exchange also issued a 20 Ounce 999 silver medallion commemorating 100 years of electricity in South Africa (note this first medallion was not called a troyan). We believe this troyan was part of a limited edition of 10000, we are not sure if the full edition was produced. We are interested in more information about the gold and hard asset exchange, and the origin of the troyan, all assistan...

An interesting sterling silver wine taster, made to commemorate 1000 years of English Monarchy between 973 and 1973. The taster is circular, set with a cast replica coin featuring King Edgar the Peaceful, with inscription "EADGARRE" between two maltese crosses, and head and shoulders of the King. The taster also has a fabulous cast silver handle, rectangular in shape with circular cut away, the handle is textured with a sun ray pattern, both top, bottom and sides, this has a lovely feel in the hand. The taster also has a circular foot, and engraved crown above 1000 and the dates 973-1973. It is a good weight and size, it holds 175 millilitres, so is a good size. King Edgar the Peaceful was crowned at Bath in 973, it was the first British coronation ceremony, other British Kings pledged allegiance. He strove successfully to unite the English and Danes, he also recalled St Dunstan from exile and made him Archbishop of Canterbury. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark GGM, thers is slight wear to the f...

A set of 6 Cape Silver teaspoons, Old English in pattern but more in a Continental than English style, with v shaped drops, Continental shaped bowls with sharp tip, and handles that flatten out towards the terminals. We really like these spoons, typically early Cape in character, made before the arrival of the English settlers in 1820. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark IC in rectangular punch with clipped corners, fat base I and C with shorter top, Welz mark 32 (page 147). All 6 spoons also have original owners stamped initials ISR. In addition, all 6 spoons have a later owners lightly scratched initials MN on the front of the spoons, only visible in certain light. The MN initials are stylish, perhaps Art Deco, so possibly added in the 1930's. These spoons are accompanied by a card dated 1933, the spoons were a gift from Mr & Mrs Louis P Naude of Kimberley to his niece Luisa, written in Afrikaans, stating the spoons are already over 100 years old, and that if she behaves she can get the oth...

An Irish silver wine label engraved CLARET, made by Benjamin Taitt in Dublin circa 1785. The label has a curved rectangular shape, with an attractive bright cut and wiggle work border, and original chain. This particular form of label is uniquely Irish, English examples of this type curved up, only Irish labels curve down. The Claret engraving is quirky, done by hand and rougher than London examples of the time. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark BT in a serrated oblong, harp crowned in a irregular shaped punch (so pre 1786) and Hibernia in an oval punch (used before 1793). A very similar label, also by Taitt, is depicted in the book Wine Labels 1730-2003, pg 279, figure 927, for W-WINE, described as circa 1785-1790 so the dates match. The same book describes Taitt as "arguably the most innovative of Irish wine label makers, a particularly successful exponent of bright-cut engraving". He made the famous balloon label, only one of which is known, pg 82, and he worked between 1775 and 1800.

An Indian colonial silver salt spoon in the Fiddle pattern. The hallmarks are clear, H&Co makers mark for Hamilton & Co, the Garrards of India, along with capital A and elephant. A previous owners initials are crudely dot engraved on the back.

A Patrick Mavros silver sculpture of a pair of guinea fowl on a hardwood base. The guinea fowl are realistically modelled, the guinea fowl is one of Africa's best known game birds. The black hardwood base is also lovely, each base is unique. The base has a silver PM button trademark, with PM above Sable Antelope in triangle, both guinea fowl are also fully hallmarked with PM makers mark and the Zimbabwe sable standard mark. Patrick Mavros 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 particular sculpture is still available on the Patrick Mavros website (www.patrickmavros.com), he describes it as a medium sized sculpture.

A Indian Colonial silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, slightly larger and heavier than most tablespoons. Ths spoon has a good feel, nicely weighted when used, and clearly hand made. The spoon has no engraving, or any sign of engraving being removed. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark P&Co. for Pittar & Co, pseudo lion passant, pseudo date letter A and tally mark number 17 from the book "Indian Colonial Silver" by Wynyard Wilkinson, page 170. Arthur Pittar & Co. worked between 1825 and 1848 in Calcutta, a similar tablespoon, but 2 centimetres shorter, is depicted on page 104. They were primarily diamond and jewel merchants, but clearly made good quality flatware and holloware. They imported a die press for manufacture of Fiddle pattern flatware in 1842, we believe this spoon predates that, given it's unusual size.