An interesting Victorian silver box, with am embossed scene of 4 racing horses pulling a rider, in front of a building. We imagine the rider is riding a chariot, but this is not visible. The rider has a flowing cape, the horses have flowing manes and are kicking up a dust storm, the modelling of the horses is beautiful and very realistic. The box is table snuff box size, it could also fit cigarettes or small cigars, but as it is not gilded or wood lined we assume it is a storage box for small desk items, or perhaps cufflinks on a dressing table. The box is good quality and a pleasing weight. The hallmarks on the base are slightly worn from polishing but still clearly visible, including makers mark G over interlocking L in shield punch for Lambert and Co, who used this mark between 1884 and 1900, based in Coventry Street London. Lambert and Co. was a prestigious firm, originally Lambert and Rawlings, they held a Royal warrant and won a prize medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1861 George Lambert and his...

A beautiful pair of Adam style Georgian silver sugar tongs by Hester Bateman, the most famous 18th century female silversmith, she has also been described as the Queen of British silversmiths. This is an early pair of Hester Bateman tongs, probably 1778-1780, the design is quite restrained, a simple yet lovely bright cut flower on both sides, with an engraved border. An almost identical pair is depicted in the book "Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs" by Graham Hodges, page 55, figure 46, the engraved flower is slightly different, he describes the tongs as "Adam Style circa 1780". The tongs have original owners engraved initials FS on the bow. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark HB in script for Hester Bateman, and lion passant (tongs prior to 1784 only have the lion passant and makers mark. 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 set of 2 Victorian silver salt spoons, both with additional Broad Arrow hallmarks, indicating the spoons were owned by the British War Department or War Office, so probably used by the military, possibly an Officers Mess. The spoons are Old English pattern, and have gilded bowls, to protect the bowls from corrosive salt. The spoons are almost identical but not a pair, the first was made in 1855 by George Adams (Chawner & Co.), the second in 1859 by Robert Garrard II, who were appointed Goldsmiths & Jewellers to the King in 1830, they still hold the Royal Warrant today. The Garrard spoon has engraved initial F, and has more prominent yellow gilding, it is very slightly shorter and lighter than the Adams spoon (2 grammes lighter). Both spoons have clear hallmarks and well struck broad arrows, the Adams spoon also has a journeyman's device, the Garrard maker mark is partially worn, but the crown above the letters is clearly visible. The Broad Arrow was originally used by the British Board of Ordnance to mark i...

A Victorian sterling silver and Mother of Pearl (MOP) pocket fruit knife, engraved FRIARSQUAD on a silver insert in the MOP handle. The knife is the standard form, with folding sterling silver blade and MOP handle, it has a pleasing feel, an enjoyable object to carry around in your pocket. We are not certain as to the meaning of Friarsquad, all assistance welcome, it could be Friar Squad or Friars Quad, which now include sports teams and beer brands. The knife is clearly hallmarked with makers mark JYC for John Yeomans Cowlishaw, who is described in the book "Pocket Fruit Knives" by Simon Moore, page 158 as "remarkable". Moore says "knives at this time were top quality, using the foremost of pearl cutters, his (JYC) workshop produced some of the finest mid 19th century knives. He became a pillar of the Sheffield community, but died by his own hand in 1894, following the death of his wife". Other hallmarks include Sheffield town mark, lion passant and date letter P.

An extremely rare Victorian silver Palm pattern dessert fork, which is gilded, no engraving is present. Pickford describes the rarity of Palm pattern in his book "Silver Flatware", pg 148. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and in addition a journeyman's mark L is also clearly struck. Palm pattern appears in the Chawner & Co (George Adams) pattern books, who were the most important 19th century silver flatware makers. Please note we also have Palm pattern soup spoons (S1612), made by George Adams in 1876.

A rare Tudor pattern butter knife, made by Chawner & Co, the leading flatware maker of Victorian England. The butter knife is fabulous quality, and is in excellent condition, it has original owners engraved initials GML. The Tudor pattern is a Gothic Revival pattern, it has 2 small scroll circular projections on each side of the stem, this differentiates it from the "Straight Tudor" pattern. The butter knife is clearly hallmarked, it also has a star journeyman's mark. In addition, it also carries the British Registry design number and date chart diamond, which rarely occurs on silver flatware. The presence of the design mark indicates that Chawner registered the design to protect it being copied. Tudor is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware page 150) as "a rare Chawner & Co pattern registered August 14th 1850, along with Straight Tudor, it appears in the Chawner Pattern book (page 218). Odd pieces may on rare occasions, be found, but building a service would be extremely difficult". The Tudor pattern is s...

A fabulous set of 12 Victorian sterling silver teaspoons with matching sugar tongs, each of the 13 items has the UK Patent Office Lozenge Diamond registration mark, showing this design was patented. The pattern is a bright cut shell pattern, and is double struck (on both sides), this is a beautiful pattern that will glitter in candlelight. The quality is superb, the spoons around 25 grammes each. The set is perfectly preserved in it's original box, they do not appear to have been used. There is no engraving, these spoons are as pristine as the day they were made. All 13 items are clearly hallmarked with Sheffield Crown, Sterling Lion, date letter Gothic F and makers mark RM/EH in diamond punch, for Richard Martin and Ebenezer Hall, they used this mark between 1881 and 1911 (the firm was established in 1863). In addition, all 13 items have a clear diamond or lozenge registration mark for the British Patent office, this was used between 1842 and 1883, this is the second version of the mark used between 1868 and...

A British Bulldog Club sterling silver trophy table fork, which is engraved "Dublin 1911 The Quakeress". The fork features a well modelled bulldog head, above legend "THE BRITISH BULLDOG CLUB". The fork is based on a single struck Kings pattern, but was specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1892, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver fork trophies!). The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Birmingham in 1911 by J.A. Restall & Company, who specialized in medals and trophies. Note: We have another example of this Bulldog Club fork, S 11401.

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 set of 4 George VI Old English pattern dessert forks, made in London by leading makers the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, but with an engraved Ducal crest of the Newton family of Dunleckney, County Carlow, Ireland. The forks are excellent quality and a pleasing weight, and are in excellent condition. The engraved crest of boars head above Ducal coronet (with strawberry leaves) with 2 ostrich feathers is crisply engraved with no wear. All 4 forks have clear hallmarks, including makers mark for Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Limited, based in Regent Street from 1880-1952, when they were incorporated into Garrards, the Crown Jeweller. These forks were made a few years after the death of Capt. Sydney Vesey, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (1873-1932), who inherited Dunleckney in 1927, his widow Edith Blanch Vesey sold Dunleckney in 1942. Note - we have spoons with the same family crest, S11388 and S11389.

A pair of early Georgian circular salt cellars, made by David Hennell I, the leading mid 18th century maker of salt cellars. The cellars have undulating gadroon borders, and stand on 3 cast silver shell headed hoof feet, this was the dominant design of salt cellars from 1735-1760, along with the lion mask paw feet variant. Both cellars have original owners engraved initials (possibly PH, but this is worn through polishing). The cellars are hallmarked 2 years apart (1748 and 1750), but are identical in design, and have been a pair for a long time given the style and wear on engraved owners initials. The 1748 cellar is slightly heavier (87 vs 78 grammes), it has 3 clear hallmarks, but no makers mark. The 1750 cellar has 4 hallmarks, including makers mark DH in script under Fleur-de-Lys in shaped shield (Grimwade mark 471), the marks have some wear but are all clearly visible. David Hennell was freed in 1735, he retired in 1773 to become Deputy warden of the Goldsmiths Company, and died in 1785. He described him...

A beautiful pair of miniature antique silver pastry servers, well preserved in their original box, made by the prestigious firm of Asprey. The servers are in the Kings Husk pattern, single struck, this is a variant of the Kings pattern without the central honeysuckle decoration, and a husk shell. Both servers are a similar size and shape, one had a flat spade shape blade and the other has a serrated prong front, so quite versatile. The hallmarks on both are very clear, including makers mark CA.GA for Charles & George Asprey, they used this mark between 1892 and 1909. Both servers are also hallmarked "Asprey London", this is very clear. The silk lined leather box reads "Asprey 186 Bond St London". Asprey was founded in 1781, and still operates today with a reputation as one of the world's leading luxury brands, they still trade from Bond Street. They hold numerous Royal warrants, at the time these servers were made they had a warrant from King Edward VII. Note: We have a similar pair, S 1952, but made in 1906...

A sterling silver medallion awarded in 1926 as a sporting trophy by Michaelhouse School, one of South Africa's leading schools. The front of the medallion features the school crest of an armoured arm holding the scales of justice, with latin motto "QUIS UT DEUS", translated "Who is like God". The back of the medallion is crisply engraved "High Jump G.W. Boyes 1926", surrounded by a laurel wreath. The medallion is good quality, and has a suspension ring with loop, so it can be worn as a pendant. The medallion is clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1926, with makers mark for Joseph Daffern, who worked between 1908-1931. George Wroughton Boyes (1910-1986) is today remembered as a first class cricketer who represented the province of Natal, South Africa. Michaelhouse today is a leading South African School, first established in 1896, it was also the inspiration for the book and film Spud.

A beautiful Georgian silver Fish slice, also called a long oval server, by one of the leading makers of this type, William Plummer. The server is extensively pierced and engraved with a realistic fish, what makes this server exceptional is that the design is repeated on both sides. The fish is surrounded by flowers and foliage, and is surrounded by a narrow engraved band. The quality of the slice, and in particular the piercing and engraving, is remarkable. The blade is flat, narrow, elliptical and symmetrical, the handle is in line, connected to the blade with a split penny boss. The handle is filled, and has a raised beaded pattern that assists the grip. The penny boss is engraved on 1 side with a family crest, a bulls head holding a spear, above a crown, the engraving is crisp and clear. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark W.P for William Plummer, Grimwade mark 3255. In an excellent article entitled "English Long Oval Servers" by Dale Bennett, published in Silver Magazine July 2016, page 20, Ben...

A Boer War antique silver sweetheart brooch, that reads "S Africa 1900-2". The brooch has a realistically modelled Lee Enfield rifle with hanging strap, with applied circular pierced badge, which also features the English rose, Welsh leek and Scottish thistle. The brooch has a pin clasp (note pin has an old repair where it has been re-soldered onto the rifle), it also has a detachable chain with hanger shaped safety pin, to prevent the brooch being lost. The back of the rifle is clearly hallmarked for Birmingham 1901/2, with makers mark WL, in 2 shields, for William Light who worked between 1895 and 1912.

A rare Charles II Restoration period silver porringer, made by Ralph Leeke, one of the leading goldsmiths of the late 17th century, in 1669. The porringer is the traditional shape and size (noticeably larger than later examples), and is chased in high relief with a running stag and hunting hound, surrounded by bold Stuart flowers (we think daffodils and poppies), these bold flowers predate the commoner restrained acanthus decoration introduced around 1680. The porringer has the traditional cast caryatid scroll handles with faces on both sides. The flat circular base is engraved with original owners initials F/SM, the engraving has character. The porringer has 6 hallmarks on the base, crowned leopards head town mark for London, date letter Gothic M for 1669 (slight wear to top but unmistakable for 1669), Lion passant, and makers mark RL above trefoil in shaped shield struck 3 times, 2 are partially worn but still readable and 1 mark is very clear. Ralph Leeke (or Leake) has been described as "a fine 17th centu...

An antique sterling silver napkin ring with an applied cast silver bulldog, very realistically modelled, and engraved "S.A. Bull Dog Club", for South African bulldog club. The napkin ring is circular, and is clearly hallmarked with makers mark M&W for Mappin & Webb, with Sheffield hallmarks for 1909. The South African Bulldog club was formed in May 1908 and still exists today, see their Facebook page. We assume this napkin ring was commissioned by the original members as prizes.

A British Military World War II Silver Chaplain's Chalice Set (an identical pair, but one is sterling silver and the other is silver plate). The Chalices are a standard design dating back to the 17th century, with a semi spherical bowl, a knobbed baluster stem (designed for grip with thumb either above or below), and a circular domed foot with a rim. Both chalices are engraved with a cross, and are on the small size, so probably designed for travel. The silver plated chalice has a gilded interior, the gilding is good. Whilst both chalices appear identical, the sterling silver one is heavier (171 grams vs 142 grams for the plated version. Both chalices are clearly marked with the broad arrow (sometimes called crows foot or pheon), this mark is associated with the War Department, but has a history that dates back to Henry VIII and the establishment of the Board of Ordnance by Sir Philip Sydney, originally to mark supplies to the Royal Navy. In 1875 the symbol was listed in the Public Stores Act, and was used to...

A Victorian cast sterling silver grape vine and leaf serving spoon, realistically modelled in naturalistic style. The handle features a grape vine with bunches of grapes and leaves, the bowl is a shaped vine leaf, with very fine engraving. The spoon is gilded, the gilding is worn in places, especially the bowl, but still quite a bit of gilding is present. The spoon is fine quality, heavy to hold, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The hallmarks are clearly struck on the bowl, including makers mark HW&Co for Henry Wilkinson and Co, who worked between 1831 and 1892 when they were purchased by Walker & Hall.

An interesting and beautiful Border Rifles Kelso antique Gold Shooting Fob Medallion, awarded to Corporal J Bennie for "Do-Or-Die Champion Cross". The fob features crossed rifles on a heart shaped background, surrounded by an oval frame under a crown, the front is engraved "Border Rifles Kelso 1904", the back is engraved "Won By Corpl J. Bennie Do-Or-Die Champion Cross", The fob also has 3 round pellets to complete the decoration, and a suspension ring with link, which is also hallmarked for 9 carat gold. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark WHH, 9 and .375 nine carat gold standard marks, Birmingham anchor and date letter e for 1904. We believe this fob refers to the Kelso Company of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Regiment, now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. At the time this fob was awarded they had just returned from service in South Africa during the Boer war. Kelso is a Scottish border town in Roxburghshire, famous for Kelso Abbey. Sir Walter Scott attended school in Kelso, he described it as "...