A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tableforks and dessertspoons (3 of each). These are good quality, the forks around 90 grammes each and the spoons over 60. All 6 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 6 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870. In addition, all pieces carry additional journeyman's marks (Y, K, 3 petal flower, O), so the particular silversmit...

A Regency silver sauce boat, by the highly respected firm of Emes and Barnard. The sauce boat is the traditional shape, with leaf capped flying scroll handle, 3 shell and hoof feet, and heavy cast gadroon border. The boat is a generous size and weight, over 330 grammes, this is a good quality sauce boat, as you would expect from these makers. The boat has a lovely engraved family crest, a church with spire, with crosses on the roof and spire. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark RE over EB and date letter e for 1820. Rebecca Emes was married to John Emes, who was in partnership with the Chawners, he died in 1808 and Rebecca became a partner. Edward Barnard rose from workshop manager to full partner, also in 1808. Emes and Barnard was one of the most successful London silver businesses in its day, they supplied many leading retailers, including Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Barnard was joined by his 3 sons, Culme describes Edward Barnard & Sons as an important firm, the oldest manufacturing silve...

A Liberty Cymric nail vanity set, complete with buff, tweezers, file, scissors, knife and shaper, all steel manicure tools with silver handles set with turquoise cabochons on each side (10 in total). Each piece is fully hallmarked with "L & Co" makers mark, townmark, date letter and sterling mark, but none have the "cymric" stamp, as they were probably too small. Handbeaten silver set with turquoise cabochons is classic Arts and Crafts, probably designed by Archibald Knox, who designed for Liberty until 1912. The scissors do not have cabochons, but are a lovely shape (unfortunately one steel tip is broken off). The nail buff has its original leather base, which is worn but still intact. This set matches item S 1361.

Lovely Nathaniel Mills cigar case with a beautifully engraved hunting scene, a dog chasing two grouse. The entire case is engraved with scrolls, and the cartouche is engraved "Carole". Hallmarks on the lid and base are very clear.

An Art Deco Sterling silver trophy, beautifully engraved with the crest of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment, and unusually for Regimental silver, in excellent condition. The trophy stands on its original wooden base, with circular plaque with makers mark Mappin & Webb. The trophy is small but beautifully proportioned, with Art Deco handles. The engraving is also very crisp and clear, the hallmarks are also clearly visible. The Transvaal Scottish Regiment was established in 1902 at the end of the Anglo Boer war by John Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl, original members were Scottish volunteers. They served with distinction in both World Wars, including El Alamein. They still exist today, but in 2019 were renamed the Solomon Mahlangu Regiment, to reflect South Africa's freedom struggle. The regiment still wears Murray of Atholl Regimental tartan.

A REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) Regimental 9 carat gold Sweetheart Brooch. The badge depicts a horse rearing with a coronet around its neck, linked via a chain to a globe the horse is standing on. Behind the horse there is a lightning flash, which symbolises electrical engineering while the globe stands for the world-wide role of the unit. The chained horse symbolises power under control. The badge is completed with the British Royal Crown. The flash and crown are clearly hallmarked 9 carat yellow gold, the horse is a much lighter colour, we assume it is white gold. The hinge, pin and safety clasp are also yellow gold. The brooch also has a gold suspension ring behind the lightning flash, possibly for another form of attachment. The brooch is clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1967, 9 carat gold and has makers mark W.O.L, they worked between 1953 and 1970 but are currently un-identified, possibly W.O. Lewis. This badge is described by members of the REME as "a horse dropping a bollock".

An interesting and rare early vinaigrette, the grille of the vinaigrette does not have a hinge, but fits as a snug cap which can be completely removed. The vinaigrette is oval in shape, the grille is plain with irregular punch holes with no pattern, the grille and interior of the vinaigrette are gilded. The grille has a small thumbpiece on one side, this fits into concave opening in the side of the vinaigrette base. Close examination of the vinaigrette shows no sign of hinge removal, we are confident it was originally made to be a removable grille without hinge. The gilding is a lemon colour, with some scratches and imperfections. The original sponge is present. The hallmarks on the lid are very clear, and include date letter X for 1795, lion passant and makers mark T.W in oval punch. The hallmarks on the base include a very clear maker mark, good anchor town mark and partial duty mark. Thomas Willmore was the patriarch of the Willmore Genealogy, one of the leading families of Birmingham toy makers, known fo...

A "New Nautilus" novelty silver sugar sifter, complete with patent and registration number. The bowl of the sifter is a nautilus shell, the top edge of the shell has 28 pierced leaf shaped sifter holes, the shell is realistically modeled. The handle is joined to the shell at right angles, to allow ease of use during sifting. The handle has an interesting unknown pattern, not found in the book " Silver Flatware" by Pickford, it appears to be a variant of Albert pattern, and is single struck. The hallmarks are clear, the handle also has a registration number indicating the design was registered. The shell has a patent number, PAT 17124, so this design was patented as well, quite unusual for silver flatware. The nautilus is a living fossil, dating back 500 million years, it is a cephalopod named after Sailor in Greek. Nautilus shell cups decorated in silver and gold became popular in the 16th century, the nautilus became popular again in Victorian times, first as spoon warmers, this sifter design is late Victori...

An interesting and rare silver wine label, in Art Nouveau style. The label is rectangular with canted corners, and has been pierced WHISKEY in Art Nouveau style, in a font that closely resembles the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Glasgow school. Whiskey spelt with an E indicates Irish whiskey, Scottish whisky is spelt without the E. The hallmarks are struck on the front of the label, and are very clear, including the W&H in flag punch, they worked between 1884 and 1960, when they were incorporated into Mappin & Webb. British Art Nouveau silver wine labels are rare, the book "Wine Labels 1730-2003" by John Salter, states that "perhaps surprisingly, there seems to have been no record of British Art Nouveau labels", further noting the "only Art Nouveau labels known are American and Continental". Note: we have a matching label for BRANDY S1849.

An interesting and rare silver wine label, in Art Nouveau style. The label is rectangular with canted corners, and has been pierced BRANDY in Art Nouveau style, in a font that closely resembles the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Glasgow school. The hallmarks are struck on the front of the label, and are very clear, including the W&H in flag punch, they worked between 1884 and 1960, when they were incorporated into Mappin & Webb. British Art Nouveau silver wine labels are rare, the book "Wine Labels 1730-2003" by John Salter, states that "perhaps surprisingly, there seems to have been no record of British Art Nouveau labels", further noting the "only Art Nouveau labels known are American and Continental". Note: we have a matching label for WHISKEY S1850.

Rectangular, plain but elegant teapot on 4 ball feet, characteristic of the style between 1805 and 1810. Wooden handle and ivory finial. Beautiful tree stump crest, excellent hallmarks, including lid.

An Arts & Crafts Britannia silver tumbler cup, with hand hammered (planished) sides, and rounded heavy base, made by the little known silversmith Denis Lacy-Hulbert for his brother. The cup is beautifully proportioned, ideal for use, and is a lovely quality item. The cup is engraved "Cyril Lacy-Hulbert, M.A. (HONS) CANTAB, C.ENG, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech E.", well positioned beneath the hallmarks, which also add to the decorative effect. The reverse of the tumbler has the Lacy-Hulbert family crest, with motto "Pro Aris Et Focis", translated "For Hearth and Home". The hallmarks are excellent, all clearly struck, including Britannia which indicates this silver is higher grade 950 standard (sterling is lower grade 925). Tumbler cups were originally made in the 17th and 18th century, designed with a heavy rounded base that rights itself to prevent spillage when traveling (think stagecoach or boat). Denis (Ben) Lacy-Hulbert (1911-2005) was Managing Director of a family steel tube/ cylinder manufacturing business, silve...

Beautiful ladle by the famed maker Alwyn Carr, one of the leading silversmiths of the Arts and Crafts period. It dates from the period after the dissolution of his partnership with Omar Ramsden, which occurred in 1918 when Carr returned from the Great War as a wounded Captain. The ladle is double lipped, spot hammered, has a rattail and a heart shaped terminal. The hallmarks are very clear. Carr died in 1940.

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...

An interesting gold miner or prospectors gold brooch, consisting of a gold spade, pick and rope, with 3 real 24 carat gold nuggets - the largest central on the handles, with smaller nuggets on the spade and pick end. The spade blade has stamped "rivets", the gold safety chain and safety pin is attached to the spade blaed. The brooch pin is also gold, but a redder colour compared to the bright gold nuggets, spade and pick. The brooch has no hallmarks, we believe the spade, pick and rope to be 18 carat, the nuggets pure 24 carat and possibly the pin is 9 carat. These brooches became popular at the turn of the 20th century, worn to advertise success in the goldfields.

An interesting pair of circular trencher salts, made to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902 by Elkington. The quality is superb, and they are a good weight. The salts are an exact replica of Carolean salts made in 1684, engraved "Ex Dono Edw Norman 1684" (donation of Edward Norman 1684). They have star crests, presumably that of the donor, and the crest of the "Worshipful Company of Innkeepers" (St Juliens cross sable and chevron between 3 oatsheaves) on the other side. The company, whcih still exists today, was created in 1514. The company has the original salts (a set of 12) and presumably commissioned the replicas to commemorate the coronation. The original salts are described in the article "The Old English Silver of the Innholders Company, London" by Arthur Butler (The Connoisseur Illustrated Vol 1 pg 236, Sept - Dec 1901). Butler believes they deserve "special distinction", due to their "graceful shape". The top of both salts are engraved "Edward VII, 1902", and the base is engraved 101 and...

Beautiful Arts and Crafts low tazza, with celtic design rim and 8 celtic buttons of two different sizes arranged around the rim. It is a pleasing size and weight, perfect for use as a fruit bowl. This is a truly stunning piece, by highly regarded makers. Hallmarks are very clear

Two early Georgian silver Hanoverian tablespoons, engraved with the Davy family crest. The spoons both have a strong front rib and double drop, both features of early Hanoverians. Both are clearly engraved with original armorials for the Davy family of Beckley, Sussex, on the back of the spoons (spoons were displayed bowl down during this period). The crest is described as "sable a fess or between three cinquefoils argent, the lozenge is tied at the top with a lovers knot that denotes the arms of a spinster", see heraldic report which accompanies these spoons. The spoons probably belonged to an unmarried daughter of the Davy family of Beckley, Sussex. The first spoon has clear hallmarks, including WH makers mark for William Hunter, and date letter i for 1744. The second spoon has squashed marks, but the makers mark JL for Jeremiah Lee is clear.

Gilt, engine turned vinaigrette with original sponge and very good hinge. Engraved "J Lang, 1835". Grille has flowers set amongst scrolling foliage.

A rare World War I 9 carat gold and enamel sweetheart brooch for the South African Heavy Artillery, who served with distinction at Delville Wood. The badge consists of a springbok head above 2 crossed artillery guns, with "South African Heavy Artillery" below in gold letters with blue enamel (note slight loss to enamel between H AF and small chip before H in heavy). The brooch is cast, the quality is good, 2 different tones of gold have been used (yellow with red gold accents). The clasp connector and catch are also gold, but the pin is not. The hallmarks are clear, Birmingham 1917 with 9 and .375 marks for 9 carat gold, along with makers mark E.A.P&Co (not much is known about this firm, they worked in 1916 and 1917). The South African Heavy Artillery Brigade was part of the volunteer South African Overseas Expeditionary Force, who served during World War I between 1916 and 1918, in East Africa, Egypt, Palestine and the Western Front (Somme, Ypres, Passchendaele and Cambrai, notably Delville Wood).