A very interesting Victorian silver and enamel match box cover (the rarer large size for table rather than pocket matches), featuring the yacht "The Shamrock", it was the unsuccessful Irish challenger for the 1899 America's Cup in New York, against Columbia owned by JP Morgan. The yacht was owned by Sir Thomas Lipton (of Lipton Tea fame) of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, together they challenged for the prestigious America's Cup 5 times. The Matchbox cover is the usual rectangular shape, with open end, and side strike holes, it sits on 4 silver ball feet. The quality of the enamel picture is outstanding, you can see 12 individual sailors on the deck, good detail in the sails and rigging, a flying red pennant, with a background of blue green sea, cloudy blue sky and land in the distance. The enamel also quite helpfully reads "THE SHAMROCK 1899", so no doubt as to which magnificent yacht this is. The hallmarks on the side are lightly struck and worn, but just legible makers mark AB&S. The base is clearly stamped ...

An interesting Georg Jensen silver and enamel napkin ring, this is the Cherub napkin ring No. 258 with blue enamel. The winged cherub is in a central roundel, connected to the elegant shaped ring with 4 silver balls. The hallmarks are very clear, and read :DESSIN HN DENMARK GEORG JENSEN & WENDEL A/S STERLING 925S". Dessin HN refers to the designer Harald Nielsen, who was the brother of Jensen's 3rd wife Johanne. He joined the Jensen business in 1909, he was a gifted draughtsman, who together with Jensen and Johan Rohde "helped to establish the Jensen style as we know it and the firm's tradition for outstanding quality" - Janet Drucker, Georg Jensen A Tradition of Splendid Silver, page 301 (a book we highly recommend). Nielsen became artistic leader of the Georg Jensen Silversmithy in 1935 after Jensen's death. The Jensen Wendel hallmark was used between 1945 and 1951, as during these years there was a trademark dispute over the Jensen brand with Jensen USA. This Cherub napkin ring no.258 is depicted in the ab...

A German sterling silver cigarette case, made in 1936 to commemorative the Winter Olympics held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, which at the time was under Nazi rule. The Cigarette case in the usual rectangular shape, with a slight curve on both sides, with a push button clasp. The case is planished (hand hammered) in Arts & Crafts style on both sides, and is very pleasing quality, it is a pleasure to hold and use. The front is engraved with the 5 Olympic rings, with "GARMISCH - PARTENKIRCHEN 1936" below, this is filled with black enamel, note the slight enamel loss on 3 letters. The interior is gilded, and is engraved with previous owners name "T. BOSCH". The case is clearly hallmarked with 4 hallmarks, all on the clasp, they include German moon and crown, makers mark LW entwined in a shield for Lutz & Weiss, 925 and STERLING standard marks. The winter Olympics were held in February 1936, this was followed by the summer Olympics in Berlin in July 1936 (the last time the winter and summer Olympics were he...

A beautiful set of 6 Australian Arts & Crafts hand made sterling silver teaspoons, with Geraldton Wax indigenous floral finials, made by of of Perth's leading family of silversmiths, Linton Silver. The spoons have hand hammered (planished) bowls, rat tail drops and cast silver floral finials, the detail and quality is very pleasing. The spoon bowls are almost triangular in shape, we have called them teaspoons but given their small size are very suitable for coffee. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked, a gum nut symbol in square punch, "ST.SILVER" standard mark and makers mark JAL for Linton Silver, who traded between 1938 and 1978. JAL refers to Jamie Linton, who joined his father's studio in 1920, he remained active until 1980. He trained in Perth, Paris and London, where he studied Central School for Arts & Crafts. He designed the range of Australian indigenous wildflower spoons, which are still produced today by Bethamy Linton, who retails each spoon at $295. Note - We have a matching jam spoon S 11536.

An interesting antique Ecclesiastical silver straining ladle, made in 1819 in Lemberg, then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, but now known as Lviv, the largest city in Western Ukraine. The ladle has a round bowl, pierced with straining (or sifting) holes, arranged in the shape of a 6 petalled flower, the holes have different sizes, but all quite small - so we think it is more likely for straining than sifting. The plain handle is at 45 degrees from the bowl, the ladle overall is a good weight and very pleasing quality. The ladle has 3 clearly struck hallmarks on the back of the end of the handle. The first is the Austro-Hungarian standard mark used between 1807 and 1866, with 13 in circle for 13 loth (812 fineness), date 1819 around circle, and town mark D above the circle, with D identifying Lemberg / Lwow. The second mark TF co-joined in oval punch under D is the tax free mark (taxfreistempel) used from 1810 to denote "ecclesiastical silver not subject to delivery to the authority", so we assume the lad...

A lovely Georg Jensen sterling silver cream or gravy ladle in the Lily of the Valley (Liljekonal) pattern, with London import marks for 1928. The ladle has a double lip for pouring, and the simple but elegant pattern is struck on both sides. The Lily of the Valley (sometimes called Rose pattern), was designed by Jensen himself and introduced in 1913, it "features a garland that traces the tapering end of the handle, inspired by natural forms". - Georg Jensen, A Tradition of Splendid Silver, Janet Drucker, page 267 - a book we highly recommend. The ladle is clearly hallmarked, makers mark GJ in beaded circle, below 925. The ladle also has clear London hallmarks, with GS for George Stockwell & Co, who imported Jensen silver into London from 1909 - 1931.

A beautiful Dutch antique silver bachelor teapot, made in Amsterdam in 1802 by master silversmith Jacob Hendrik Stellingwerff. The teapot is a very classical design, navette shaped with a plain body with beaded rims, and straight "oil can" style spout. The handle is a plain wooden C scroll shape, with unusual but beautiful silver bands to attach the handle, this is a feature we have not seen before. The oval lid with a turned wooden baluster finial, securely held in place with a silver nut, fits very securely and snugly into the teapot. The teapot is quite small, hence our description as a bachelor teapot, it will probably only hold 2 cups of tea. The quality of the teapot is very pleasing, clearly Stellingwerff was a highly competent silversmith. The teapot base is clearly hallmarked with 5 hallmarks, these include a very clearly struck I.H.S makers mark for Jacob Hendrik Stellingwerff. The Amsterdam city mark and crowned lion rampant (Province of Holland 934 standard mark, so purer than sterling) marks have...

A fabulous Sampson Mordan silver gilt scent bottle in the Aesthetic style, beautifully engraved with birds, insects, flowers and foliage, with 1 bird sitting on a nest with 2 eggs. The quality is outstanding, and the bottle has been well preserved in it's original silk and velvet lined fitted Morocco leather case. The silver gilt on the exterior and interior are a lovely golden colour, with no wear, we assume this bottle has mostly remained in it's closed box. The glass bottle has the remains of the origianl sponge inside, which could easily be removed. The hallmarks are clear, both on base and bottle lid, the rim is also hallmarked. A very similar Mordan scent bottle can be seen on the www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com website, but without the bird nest. Sampson Mordan became famous for producing high quality, innovative novelty items, many of which are highly collectable today. The firm worked between 1823 and 1941. The motto of the Sampson Mordan company was "Quality lives when price is forgotten" - Sampson ...

A rare surviving set of 8 Georgian silver dessert knives, in the popular Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, with silver as opposed to steel blades. The knives are in good condition, and are suitable for use. All 8 knives have an engraved family crest of a lion with raised paws looking backwards, we see that 1 is engraved on the other side. All 8 knives are clearly hallmarked, both on the silver blades and handles, for London 1832 with makers mark WC for William Chawner II, and all the marks are clearly legible. William Chawner II was a specialist spoon maker, he was freed in 1804 and worked until his death in 1834. He was part of the famous Chawner dynasty of silversmiths, his Father, brother and son were all silversmiths, the Chawner family were one of England's dominant producers of silver flatware in the 19th century, they supplied all the leading retailers, including Hunt & Roskell, Garrards and Elkington.

A Georgian silver wine label, made in London 1819, and engraved for MADEIRA. The label is oval in shape, and has a double reeded border. The label is clearly hallmarked (duty mark, lion passant and date letter d), but missing London town mark. The makers mark GK for George Knight is also clearly struck. George Knight worked between 1818 and 1824, he specialised in small silver, and is known to have made a number of wine labels. Similar wine labels made by Knight can be seen on the Steppes Hill Farm website (a site we strongly recommend).

A fabulous and interesting Royal silver souvenir spoon, commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The detail, quality and condition are exceptional, we love this spoon. The bowl depicts the coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey in 1838, it is a faithful copy of the famous painting by Sir George Hayter, which the Queen herself commissioned and was delighted with, now in the Royal collection. Both the front and back of the handle are richly decorated, the front with a bust of the Queen below crown, above "Peace Commerce" above 2 ships (the naval ship HMS Thunderer), above "Electricity", represented by Greek mythology messengers Iris and Hermes next to a telegraph pole. Below "Rifle Volunteers" with soldiers being inspected by Britannia, above "Steam" above a detailed steam locomotive, above "Penny Postage" and a mailman. The rear has crossed Royal flags with rose, shamrock, leek and thistle, above the Order of the Star of India, with motto "Heavens Light Our Guide", above a Royal ...

A fabulous Royal silver souvenir spoon, of outstanding quality, commemorating the investiture of the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) in Caernarvon, Wales in 1969. The spoon has a cast silver Welsh dragon holding a Royal shield, the dragon's tail curls around the spoon stem and forms a "rat-tail" on the spoon bowl, we love this spoon. The bowl has a cast silver Prince of Wales emblem, with 3 feathers above crown, above the motto "Ich Dien", translated "I serve". The back is engraved "Caernarvon 1969, 256", this was a limited edition and each spoon was numbered. The hallmarks are clear, with makers mark JDB for J.D. Beardsmore & Co, who only worked in 1969 and appear to have only produced this spoon. The Emblem inthe bowl, which is cast as a separate piece, is also hallmarked. The spoon was originally sold in a custom box with leaflet, the leaflet informs that the spoon was designed by Norman Manwaring, Herald Painter to the College of Arms, under the supervision of R.O. Dennys, OBE, FSA, Herald of Arms,...

A typical Chinese Export silver Christening mug, richly decorated with traditional Chinese symbols, including Dragon and blossoming prunus tree, by Khecheong, one of the more prolific Chinese Export silversmiths. The mug has 3 circular embossed panels, the central one with Chinese dragon symbolising power, strength and good luck, the 2nd has a flowering Prunus blossom tree (plum or cherry), symbolising life, good health and happiness, the 3rd has flowers, buds and leaves. The remainder of the mug is finely engraved with flowers, leaves and diamond symbols, as you can see from the photographs the quality of the workmanship stands out. The handle is a curved vine, and the interior of the tapered mug is gilded. A circular patch above the dragon is plain, this is where a previous owners initials have been removed, this could be re-engraved. The base of the mug is clearly hallmarked with makers mark KHC in rectangular punch, the base also has a faint scratch engraved number, this would have been stock code used by...

A set of 4 Scottish silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoons, made in Edinburgh in 1773 by William & John Taylor. The spoons have the Hanoverian central ridge, and have double drops on the back of the bowls. The spoons are engraved with an interesting family crest of a hand holding an Imperial Crown, below motto "Corde et Animo", translated "With heart and soul", this is the crest and motto of the Scottish Clayhills-Henderson family. The engraving is on the back of all 4 spoons, as is usual for the period, when flatware was placed on the table facing down. The engraving has some wear, but still clearly visible on all 4 spoons. All 4 spoons are bottom marked, and have 3 clear hallmarks - Edinburgh castle, Scottish thistle and date letter gothic T for 1773. The spoons also have a poorly struck makers mark, only partially visible on 1 spoon, just enough to see it is WT over JT for William & John Taylor (Jackson page 549). William Taylor worked from 1753, and produced good quality silver, we assume he was joined b...

A Chinese Export silver table spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with engraved initials WRB in Gothic script. The spoon is good quality, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are very good, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), 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 silversmiths of the Georgia...

A beautiful Arts and Crafts hand made silver bowl in Art Deco style, made by the highly respected Chicago silversmith Lebolt & Co, who competed against the Kalo shop. The bowl is circular with a flat base, with 2 flat shaped side handles that form 2 of the 4 feet. The bowl has an applied monogram MS (in an Art Deco diamond shape) on the front, this is a common feature of Lebolt silver, which would have been commissioned for a specific owner. The exterior side of the bowl is planished (hand beaten), with the individual hammer marks giving it a wonderful texture that will glitter in candle light. The base is clearly hallmarked "LEBOLT HAND BEATEN" below the Lebolt logo of Lion holding a diamond around L, and "STERLING 464" which was probably a pattern number. Lebolt founder J. Myer Lebolt added a handwrought silversmithing department to his family's Chicago jewelry store in 1912 (source www.chicagosilver.com), it was sold from their stores in Chicago, New York and Paris. They and the Kalo Shop are remembered fo...

A rare Scottish provincial teaspoon in the Oar pattern, which is unique to Scotland. The teaspoon was made by Charles Fowler in Elgin, and is clearly hallmarked with makers mark CF, town mark ELn, and pseudo date letter C. The spoon is engraved with original owners initials in script (possibly DI). The makers mark and town mark are very clearly struck, they could not be better, close examination of the C pseudo date letter shows the start of the outline F on the right hand side, so possibly Fowler used his makers mark punch, but struck from the side to only show the C (further research required). Charles Fowler worked from 1809-1824, most of his silver is marked ELn (as opposed to ELGIN in full, which he used occasionally). He used a variety of different punches, including pseudo date letters A, B, C, D, E and F, and occasionally he used punches showing St Giles and the Elgin cathedral wall (see our sold soup ladle S 1300). A good summary of his marks is shown in the book Scottish Provincial Silversmiths by ...

A Georgian silver mote spoon, made by Philip Roker III in either 1766 or 1767. The mote spoon is the traditional shape, with a pierced bowl, tapered handle and diamond point finial, which is quite sharp. The piercing has a central starburst design, surrounded by symmetrical scrolls and holes. The spoon has a long drop, which is also pierced. The spoon has 2 hallmarks, a lion passant and makers mark P. ROKER, which was only used by Philip Roker III for 2 years, hence our ability to date the spoon so precisely. This is mark 3753 in Grimwade, who ascribes the mark to Philip Roker II (who died in 1757, so we assume Grimwade is incorrect. The Roker family were specialist spoonmakers, and have left behind some wonderful spoons. Mote spoons originated in the early 18th century, and were used to skim off floating particles of tea leaves and motes (tea dust) from a cup of tea (Newman, Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware, page 217). The long thin handle with sharpened point was used to clear the spout of a teapot (wh...

A rare surviving matched set of 12 Georgian Irish silver knives in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, 6 are table knives and 6 are dessert knives. The knives are in good condition considering their age, and are suitable for use. The steel blades are in good condition, and quite sharp, we believe these are later replacements fitted into the original silver handles, they are not marked at all. The pattern is repeated on both sides, and has shells at the top and bottom, with a scroll in the centre. We have described these as Fiddle, Thread and Shell, but have been unable to confirm this, all assistance welcome, other examples we have seen have no shell at the bottom of the handle, so perhaps this is a different pattern or an Irish variant. Both sets of six are a set, whilst both sets are the same pattern, there are a few differences, hence our description a matched set, the 2 sets of 6 were matched together at some time. The 6 table knives have no engraving, the 6 dessert knives have a beautiful engraved fam...

A Georgian silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, by perhaps the most famous of English goldsmiths, Paul Storr. The spoon is good quality, with a fatter extended drop, and a generous bowl size. The spoon also has an engraved family crest of a birds head above a tower, this has some wear but is still visible. The London hallmarks for 1819 are very clear, the makers mark PS in shaped punch is also clear but has some wear on the S. This is Paul Storr's 9th mark, with no dot between letters, with the punch outline more oval than circular, he registered this mark in 1817 (Paul Storr, 1781-1844, by N. Penzer, page 82). A crescent mark is also clearly visible next to the makers mark, this would have belonged to the journeyman who made the spoon in Storr's workshop. Penzer described Storr as "the last of the great goldsmiths", he worked between 1793 and 1838.