A Cape silver teaspoon in the Fiddle pattern, with excellent Cape silver hallmarks. The spoon is engraved C.V.N.O. Schultz 1862, we assume the original owner, this engraving is very crisp and clear. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark JJV in an unusual 6 sided punch (Welz mark 161), pseudo sterling lion, and pseudo duty mark (Queen Victoria's head with good detail, and hair bun). Jacobus Vos worked from 127 Long Street, unfortunately he died young, age 27, unmarried, which is a pity as he produced good quality silver. Note: We have been informed that C.V.N.O. Schultz could possibly be Constand (Constant) Van Nuldt Onkruidt Schultz, who was born in Cape town 13/11/1824, son of Jacob Schultz and Catharina Fredrica Van Nuldt Onkruidt. He married Martinet (Martha) Maria van der Poel in Cape Town on 15/02/48. He died on 16/04/1863 in Stellenbosch, his death notice recorded him as "small farmer". The spoon is dated the year defore his death, so possibly it was anticipated and he had the spoon (s) m...

An Indian Colonial salt spoon, made by Hamilton & Co, the "Garrards of India". The spoon is in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern with gilded bowl, and is double struck, and is pleasing quality, and in good condition. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark H&Co, Elephant, date letter A and tally mark 2 semi circles, these marks were used 1860-1914 (source www.ascasonline.org, History and Marks of Hamilton & Co). Note the unusual & in the makers mark (quite fat), different makers marks were used by Hamilton over the years, this should assist more precise dating, further research is required. Note: We have matching sifter and salt spoons and sauce ladles.

An antique Dutch silver Zeeland Button costume belt buckle, in excellent condition. The buckle has 14 silver Zeeland buttons (Zilver Zeeuwse Knop), 2 large and 12 small, on a rectangular belt buckle, with central supporting strut for attachment to belt. The buttons themselves are made to a traditional design, with balls and filigree work, each Zeeland district has a slight variation. The buckle has 2 hallmarks, makers mark JW and the Dutch sword mark quality guarantee. The Dutch Button has been part of the Zeeland traditional costume since the 18th century.

An antique sterling silver bowl or ash tray, set in the centre with a copper 1 penny Zuid Afrik. Republiek coin dated 1898. The bowl is engraved "Kruger Coinage", still clearly visible but worn from polishing. This penny was part of the first Kruger coinage, initiated in 1892 by President Paul Kruger. The bowl is dated 1900, which co-incides with the Anglo Boer War, we are not sure of the significance. The hallmarks are visible but slightly worn from polishing. The coin is in good condition, it has been protected by the raised silver rim.

A very interesting silver gilt cast spoon, with a well modelled gentleman in 18th century period dress, complete with cane and hat. The figure stands on a pedestal on twisted stem which changes texture (almost bark like) as it joins the spoon bowl. The spoon is in it's original box, marked "By Appointment A. Stephen & Co, Manufacturing Jewellers, Calcutta", so this spoon is well travelled. The hallmarks are very clear, and include registration number "RD 179159", showing the design was protected at the patent office. The spoon was probably designed as a Christening present for a wealthy family We welcome opinions on the origin of the figure.

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).

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 Victorian silver miniature replica of a porringer, probably intended as a toy. The porringer is typical 17th century style, with gadrooned and punched dot decoration, and scrolling handles. Daniel and John Wellby specialised in fine copies of early pieces (Pickford, Jackson's Hallmarks). The hallmarks are clear with the exception of the makers mark, which is partially worn but still identifiable.

A pretty Glove button hook, with silver ring for suspension from a chain. The handle is polished honey coloured tigers eye, a gemstone, the silver hook has attractive engraving. Buttonhooks for gloves were much smaller than those used for boots. This could be worn as a necklace pendant. The hallmarks are small but visible.

A Boer War teaspoon, with a very detailed Lee-Metford rifle as the shaft. The bowl is engraved "Souvenir of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1900". The rifle is very detailed, even the strap holes and buckle are visible.The butt of the rifle is engraved Lee-Metford, and the bayonet connects the bowl to the rifle. The hallmarks are very clear, as is the registration number "Rd No 349937". A similar spoon is illustrated in the book "Boer War Memorabilia" by Pieter Oosthuizen, figure 8 on page 119. The Lee-Metford rifle was soon replaced by the Lee-Enfield, which had the advantage of smokeless powder.

This caddy spoon is by Taylor & Perry, who are known for their good quality caddy spoons. The bowl is beautifully engraved with flowers and foliage, the handle with leaves. The cartouche has the initial H, and the hallmarks are very clear. The caddy spoon is Fiddle pattern.

Set of six Irish teaspoons, with an interesting falcon crest, in the Fiddle pattern. These spoons are larger than many other teaspoons (slightly longer and heavier). The hallmarks are very clear on all spoons.

Pleasant set of Scottish Fiddle pattern tablespoons, of very good weight and by a well known maker. Extremely clear hallmarks on all spoons.

A beautiful Gorham sterling silver Louis XIV pattern gilded sugar sifter spoon and matching ladle, retailed by Starr & Marcus of New York. The pattern is striking, described as "17 th Century Magnificence", named after King Louis Quatorze of France, who "made his reign famous for it's splendour". The sifter spoon bowl is intricately pierced, clearly done by a master craftsman, one of the best we have seen. The design has 12 panels around the outside, each with a pierced starburst and V shaped flower, the centre has more starbursts and a pierced branch design, completed with pierced circles. The ladle (we assume for gravy) has a plain bowl, but with deep gold gilding (described as goldwash in the USA), both have original owners engraved initials Gothic S. The hallmarks are clear on both items, "Patent 1870, Sterling, and the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G, along with retailers mark "Starr & Marcus". Gorham Corporation, which still exists today, was founded in 1831, they dominated the solid silver flatware m...

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 for Carl Reinhold Hefftler is very clear (we previously had this incorrectly identified as Rubert Hermann). The spoon has scripted initials "G et WP" on the front, and "H&TJ" on the back next to the hallmarks.

Colonial silver child's fork and spoon, probably a Christening gift. It is very crudely made, and the pattern is a mix between Old English and Fiddle, more Continental than English, particularly the rounded shape of the drop . The set is finely engraved with the initials GPJ in elaborate script, and Madagascar. The hallmarks are clear, and consist of the makers mark I*D struck 3 times, in an irregular outline, so the punch was probably also handmade. One mystery is the combination of very crudely made flatware, made by an amateur in possibly difficult conditions, with the fine engraving - so possibly added later. We welcome thoughts on their origin or identification of the I*D makers mark.

A Scottish Provincial sterling silver brooch from Aberdeen, with a silver rim surrounding a polished oval pink granite. Aberdeen is known as the "Granite City", with its' building stone quarried from Rubislaw Quarry. The brooch is hallmarked with makers mark R&S and ABD, the unofficial Aberdeen town mark. Rettie and Son worked between 1824 and 1892, and are well known for their jewellery with the local granite (Benjamin, Antique Jewellery, page 92). The book "Aberdeen Silver, A Collectors Guide, Michael Wilson, pg 56, describes Rettie & Sons as "famous for silver and granite jewellery" Wilson also explains that the salmon pink granite used in this brooch is from the Corrennie Quarry, granite from Rubislaw is grey (pg 14).

Cape Silver tablefork (Fiddle pattern) with interesting horse crest, initials HR and very clear hallmarks. The hallmarks include Pseudo English marks and the makers mark.

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 matching silver fork to this spoon was sold as Lot 38 in the postal auction of the Silver spoon club of Great Britain, March 2012, The Finia...

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.