A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, as follows: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude an axe, and St. James a staff and bible. The spoons are from a set (no 97), issued by The Heritage Collection in 1978, limited to 1000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark CM (Cape Mint, part of the Pagliari Group), STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem, and the set number 97. They come complete with original signed certificate. The original solid wooden box is also available, this is large and heavy (1.5 kilograms), so will require extra postage if required. Note - We now have another set a...

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 fabulous set of 6 Scottish Provincial dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, made by William Ferguson of Elgin, and hallmarked in Edinburgh over 3 different years between 1839 and 1841. The spoons are all engraved with original owners initial W, so clearly a set. The spoons are in excellent condition, with strong tips to the spoon bowls, with no sign of wear or use at all - no dents or scratches, these spoons must have sat in a drawer and not been used. Close examination of the 6 spoons reveals small differences in the size and shape of the bowls, shape of the Fiddle and the shape of the drop, which indicates these spoons were all made by hand. Furthermore, the spoons vary slightly in weight, the lightest is 33 grammes, the heaviest 39 grammes, they average 37 grammes, so a significant variation. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are also very clear and well struck, they could not be better. They include makers mark WF and ELGIN, alongside Edinburgh hallmarks, 1 is for 1839, 3 for 1840 and 2 for 1841. 2 of the s...

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). Curry has left behind some fabulous silver, top notch quality and beautiful intricate designs, he deserves further study. Henry William Curry's brother Charles John Curry was in partnership with Alexander Crich...

A set of 6 Cape Silver tablespoons in the Fiddle pattern, with initials CIH over WAM. The initials CIH are older, the have more wear than the WAM initials, which would have been added later after a change of ownership of the spoons. All 6 spoons have excellent hallmarks, makers mark FW with the "Cape Stub" pseudo English hallmarks (see article on the Cape Stub in our articles section).

A unique collection of 12 early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoons, 8 being George II and four being George III. Sets of flatware from this period are extremely rare, most spoons were made singly or in pairs. All the spoons have clear hallmarks, with visible date letters and makers marks (all but 2 have the makers identified). Five of the spoons are shellbacks, two are scrollbacks, the remaining 5 have double drops. Nine spoons have contempory initials and two have later initials. One spoon has an additional later hallmark JP (John Page, 1900), indicating it may have been repaired at this stage. Identified makers include Thomas Pye, Richard Gosling, Marmaduke Daintry and Robert Sallam.

A fabulous set of six Georgian Silver Old English table spoons by Hester Bateman, the most famous of all English female silversmiths. The spoons are bottom marked, and the hallmarks are slightly squashed but clearly visible. The spoons have a double drop. The spoons are excellent quality and are in extremely good condition, this is a lovely set. The spoons also have a interesting family crest, an armoured fist holding a dagger. Hester Bateman took over her husband's business on his death in 1760, and retired in 1790 when her sons, Peter and Jonathan took over the business.

A fabulous pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels, (orange spoons), in excellent condition, and with very clear makers mark. The spoons are typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoons have typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. They also have a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl, the 2 v joints are quite different in angle and style, reflecting their hand-made character. The IC makers mark on both spoons is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815.

A Chinese Export silver gravy straining spoon in the Fiddle pattern, also called a dividing spoon, with no engraving. The spoon, which is large serving spoon size, has a vertical divider with vertical slits in the bowl, this is fixed (some versions have removable dividers). The spoon is excellent quality, easily comparable with a top class English Georgian spoon. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P 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 style of the lettering in the makers mark is quite distinctive, the font is a little crude, distinctly different from the real Eley, Fearn & Chawner mark. 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 ne...

A rare pair of Scottish Provincial gravy (or serving or basting) spoons in the Oar pattern, which is a scarce variant of Fiddle pattern (Fiddle without shoulders), only found in Scotland (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg. 111). Both spoons are engraved in contempory style with the letter "M", and are in such lovely condition that they do not appear to have been used (note the lovely spoon tips). Both have clear Scottish Provincial hallmarks, makers mark RK struck 3 times, and the Perth double headed eagle town mark struck twice. Robert Keay worked in Perth between 1791 and 1825, from the style of these spoons they were made between 1800 and 1805, when Oar pattern was popular in Scotland. A very similar gravy spoon, also by Robert Keay of Perth, is depicted in Ian Pickford's Silver Flatware book, figure 145, pg. 111.

Magnificent pair of Arts and Crafts spoons by Sibyl Dunlop, one of the leading female practitioners of the Arts and Crafts movement. The spoons are in the shape and style of 16th century spoons, with fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem and shaped finials. The spoons are cast, with hand hammered bowls, and have a cast finial that resembles a pineapple with scrolls on either side, resting on 3 rings. A furrow runs down the front end of the shaft of each spoon. These spoons are very good quality, with pleasing weight, lovely to hold and use. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including the SD makers mark. Dunlop (1889-1968) was born in Scotland, trained as a jewellery designer in Brussels, and opened a shop in Kensington Street, London. She specialised in Arts and Crafts silver and jewellery, often naturalistic in style. These spoons have been depicted and described in the book "Artists' Spoons" by Simon Moore, page 383, where they are described as "finely crafted, in classical mood (15/16th century) with ...

A set of 8 Cape Silver tablespoons and table forks (4 of each) in the Old English pattern, all with original owners engraved initials JM in script. The forks are lovely, long and elegant, and in great condition, the spoons have seen more use, with wear to the bowls. The spoons have wide circular drops, more continental in style. Six pieces (4 spoons and 2 forks) have additional initials AFDT engraved on the back of the stems, we assume an earlier owner, the AFDT showing signs of wear. Seven items have excellent hallmarks (makers mark IC and crude anchor, Welz mark 25), one fork has different marks, makers mark IC struck with a worn punch (Welz mark 29) and what appears to be crowned leopards head (clearly struck but worn punch, outline clear but no detail). Combrink had a long career, and this IC mark with worn punch is well known, it is assumed the punch became worn over time. The crowned leopard town mark is more of a mystery, this punch was used by Twentyman and Waldek (Welz 135 and 163), and is unknown by...

An extremely rare antique 9 carat solid gold spoon, probably made as a special commission. The spoon has a cast Griffin head above a Marquess coronet finial, the detail is lovely. The handle is twisted, and the bowl has scalloped edges, and is engraved with the original owners initials WDB. The quality is excellent, this would have been an expensive item when made. The spoon is made of 9 carat rose gold, and has been gilded in 18 carat yellow gold to enhance it's appearance. The rose and yellow gold accents accenuate the Griffin, the back of the bowl is rose gold, and the engraved initials show the rose gold coming through. We are informed by a leading London dealer that plating in 18 carat gold did occur during the period on high end goods. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark BHJ, 9 and 375 for 9 carat gold, Birmingham city mark and date letter r for 1891. Additional 9 carat marks are present on the bowl. B.H. (Barnet Henry) Joseph & Co. were founded in 1865, by 1889 they were "one of the la...

A pair of Georg Jensen Parallel or Relief pattern salad or vegetable servers, in the Parallel pattern, also called Relief # 25 pattern. They are a lovely classic Art Deco shape, with rectangular handles with serrated edge design, and the rare additional of 2 circular "wings" midway up the handle. Both have clear hallmarks, the GJ in rectangle makers mark (used between 1933 and 1944) above "Sterling Denmark". The fork also has additional London import marks for 1936, and the G.J Ld makers mark used by the London Jensen shop. The parallel pattern is interesting most of the smaller items have no "wings", a few of the larger serving items have scroll "wings" , the circular "wings" present here appear to be the rarest addition to the pattern. The pattern was designed in 1931 by Oscar Gundlach-Pedersen, a famous Danish architect who designed a number of important buildings. He was born in 1886, he served as Georg Jensen's last apprentice in 1911, he later returned to the Georg Jensen firm as Manager and Artistic D...

A rare Irish provincial silver toddy ladle made in Cork, but hallmarked in Dublin. The ladle is circular with a lip for pouring, and has a whale bone handle. The ladle is beautifully decorated, with embossed flowers, leaves and scrolls, on a stippled background. The pouring lip is decorated with a "sunburst" collar. The decoration is typical of the Irish silver of the 1820 period, with floral repousse (embossing) on a background stippled to a matt finish (Bennett, Collecting Irish Silver, pg 79). The whalebone handle is 4 sided, and has an unusual knop end, the circular knob set above silver banded decoration. The hallmarks are all very clear, including makers mark PG in oval outline (Cork mark no. 80 in Bennett). The Dublin Goldsmiths company passed an act in 1807 requiring the Kings head to be stamped on all plate made in Ireland. As this could only be done in Dublin, it forced the provincial goldsmiths to start sending silver to Dublin for hallmarking. Garde, who worked in Cork between 1812 and 1845, appe...

A set of 13 sterling silver Apostle spoons, with finials plated in 24 carat gold, authentic replicas of 15th century originals, inspired by sculptures on Chartres Cathedral, France. They include: The Master, St. Peter, St. John, St. Matthew, St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Jude, St. James the Greater, St. James the Less, St. Matthias, St. Simon, St. Thomas, and St. Bartholomew. The Apostles are well modeled, with lovely detail, as can be seen from the photographs. For example, St. Peter has keys, St. Simon a saw, St Andrew a cross, St. Jude a carpenters square, and St. John the cup of sorrow. The spoons are from a set (no 129), issued by South African Guild of Silversmiths in 1978, limited to 2000 sets. The hallmarks are clear, and include maker mark for the South African Guild of Silversmiths, STG for Sterling silver, antelope head for South Africa, and date letter E for 1978. All the spoons have the Apostle's name engraved on the stem. They come complete with original signed certificate of authenticity, and t...

A rare Cape Silver lemoen lepel (orange spoon) and matching konfyt fork (preserve), no sets like this one are recorded in the Cape silver reference books, but we have previously sold a similar set (S1812). Neither the spoon nor fork are hallmarked, but the style and decoration of them leave no doubt they are Cape in origin. The spoon is the traditional elegant lemoen lepel shape, with narrow, pointed boat shaped bowl, rounded drop, and triangular terminal. The matching fork has 4 tines, both feature matching traditional Cape prick engraving with a 8 pointed star. Both are punched with initials DM, we assume the original owner. Welz describes orange spoons as "probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg. 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). Heller, in his book History of Cape Silver, describes orange spoons as "exquisite". Mo...

A fabulous Belle Epoque French silver 950 standard flatware set for 6, in the beautiful Louis XV pattern, by renowned Parisian silversmith Emile Puiforcat. This 12 piece luncheon or dessert set has 6 spoons and forks, finely decorated on both sides with scrolls and foliage, the pattern also extends around the top of the bowls, which is quite unusual. Louis XV is an early Puiforcat pattern, long out of production, so rarely seen today. The spoons and forks are lovely quality, the forks have long elegant tines, and are in excellent condition, with no monogrammes. Two hallmarks are present, makers mark EP in diamond lozenge, with penknife (un canif) between the letters, and French Minerve 1st Standard mark, with 1 next to forehead, indicating 950 purity (so higher purity than sterling 925). 4 Spoons and 4 forks have both marks clearly struck, 2 spoons and 2 forks have no hallmarks. Emile Puiforcat established his business in 1857 at 18 Rue Chapon, it still exists today and is known as of of the leading French si...

A magnificent set of 13 gilded silver Italian apostle spoons, featuring the 12 apostles on the smaller spoons and the "Master" on the larger spoon - all in their original box. They are extremely good quality and well made, the cast finials have very fine detail. The stems are twisted with a beaded design, and a winged female angel joins the bowls to the stems. Each apostle is named on the back of the finial in Italian - (S. Pilip, Giag, Paol, Luca, Mat, Bart, Piet, And, Tom, Mar, Giov, Sim). The spoon bowls are all made of silver coins (Piastra's) from the Papal States (which included most of central Italy in the 18th century) dated between 1676 and 1802. The coins have the Papal Arms for the following Popes: Innocento XI (1676-1689), Alessandro XIII (1689-1691), Innocento XII (1691-1700), Clement XI (1700-1721), Clement XII (1730-1740), Clement XIV (1769-1774), Pius VI (1775-1799) and Pius VII (1800-1823). Two of the coins, dated 1691, are "Sede Vacante" - translated "The Seat is Empty", meaning they were m...

A beautiful pair of French sterling silver salad servers in the Sceaux pattern, that carries the marks of 2 of France's greatest silversmiths - Christofle and Cardeilhac. The quality and weight of this pair is outstanding, they are a joy to use. They are the traditional shape, the fork has 3 fat tines, and both have a matched shaped cut-out where the bowls join the handles. They are double struck (pattern repeated on both sides), and they have not been engraved. The Sceaux pattern was produced by Christofle Cardeilhac between 1983 and 1999, it is similar to the classical Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. Cardeilhac produced a print advertisement aimed at the US market featuring the Sceaux pattern in 1983, with the tagline "Even in France only a few own Cardeilhac Sterling", this ad can be seen on Ebay. Both pieces are clearly hallmarked with 4 hallmarks in the bowls, these include 1. the Christofle makers mark (diamond punch, 3 stars with bee below, OC for Orfevre Christofle), 2. the Cardeilhac makers mark (c...