A fabulous set of 2 serving spoons with matching sifter ladle, with magnificent cast terminals featuring Mr. Punch with truncheon, jesters hat and humpback, and Judy his wife, holding the baby, the 3rd character is Toby the dog, complete with ruff and feathered hat. The cast figures sit on a seal top pedestal, the spiral twist handles are hollow, with a central ball grip, joined to the bowls with acanthus leaf drops. The serving spoons have oval shaped bowls, please note the spoon bowls have been re-gilded. The sifter bowl has scroll, diamond and circular piercing, the original gilding both inside and outside the bowl is still in pristine condition. Overall these are fine quality spoons, amongst the best figural castings we have seen on a spoon, we love these spoons. All 3 spoons are clearly hallmarked for London 1895 by Horace Woodward & Co. Ltd, they worked between 1875 and 1916, primarily from Birmingham but also from Hatton Gardens, London. In addition both serving spoon bowls have pattern number 9685 on ...

A magnificent Highland Light Infantry antique silver kilt sash brooch, used to hold the shoulder plaid in place. The brooch has the monogram HLI inside the Infantry French bugle horn, set on the diamond cut Star of the order of the Thistle, with Imperial King's crown above, and "ASSAYE" scroll and elephant below. This is surrounded by a thistle wreath with 30 battle honours, all earned before 1914, these include: "Carnatic, Hindustan, Sholingur, Mysore, Gibraltar 1780-83, Seringapatam, Assaye, Cape of Good Hope 1806, Rolica, Vimiera, Corunna, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajos' Almaraz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula, Waterloo, South Africa 1851-2-3, Egypt 1882, Tel-el-Kebir, Modder River, South Africa 1899-1902". The wreath is surrounded by an engraved scrolling border. The HLI monogram, crown, Assaye scroll and Elephant are all gilded, the gold colour stands out against the silver background, this is a lovely feature. The brooch is made with from 3 sep...

A Rare Set of 6 Liberty & Co. Japanese Sterling Silver Gilded Octopus Teaspoons, made by Sadajiro of Musashiya (Yokohama), these were amongst the first silver items imported by Arthur Lasenby Liberty for his Liberty Arts & Crafts Department store. The spoons have octopi finials, bamboo cane handles, and ormer (abalone) shell bowls, what is remarkable is that each octopus is different. The octopi have been described as "comical, scratching their heads or frowning, adding a wonderful touch of humour" - Simon Moore, Artists Spoons, page 50. The spoons are beautifully gilded, and retain much of the original gilding, their is slight wear on the handles from use. This gilding of the entire spoon is unusual, we have seen other sets without gilding and one set with gilded bowls only. The spoons are well preserved in their original wooden Liberty & Co. box, with green plush velvet interior and green leather exterior with the Liberty logo stamped in gilt lettering, it reads "Liberty & Co. Ltd. Jewellers 218a Regent St....

A fabulous quality gold and Diamond World War II Sweetheart brooch, for the Gordon Highlanders Regiment. The brooch has a textured 9 carat gold stags head with impressive antlers, green cabochon eyes (we assume emerald) and two red faceted stone nostrils (we assume ruby). The stags head is surrounded in a wreath of 18 leaves (white 9 carat gold), each leaf contains a diamond, and sits above a crown (which also contains 5 diamonds, so 23 diamonds in total, all are present). The regimental motto "BYDAND", translated as "Stand and Fight", in gold letters set in blue enamel sits in a gold scroll at the base. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark J.W.B, 9 and .375 indicating 9 carat gold, anchor town mark for Birmingham and date letter R for 1941. The pin is also hallmarked 9 .375 indicating it is also 9 carat gold. John William Barrett was a manufacturing jeweller who worked between 1903 and 1953, a number of other high quality sweetheart brooches are known by him, so we assume this was an area of spec...

A pair of attractive and unusual Georgian silver salt cellars, with a lovely pattern created by numerous embossed ovals with circular eyes, with a textured matt pattern in between. The cellars have 4 cast silver shell headed hoof feet, with additional cast shell feet below the hooves. The cellars have irregular gadrooned rims, and gilded interiors. They are a substantial size and weight, over 160 grammes each, these are lovely quality. The hallmarks are clear, but the makers mark is partially worn on one cellar, and slightly worn on the other, but no doubt this is William Fountain (Grimwade mark 3127). William Fountain was freed in 1785, he had a long career and worked until 1825 (he used this mark between 1805 and 1825). He produced some notable silver, examples of his work are in numerous museums, including the V&A in London.

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...

An Arts and Crafts napkin ring set with 4 silver coins, by Charles Robert Ashbee, who was a major force behind the British Arts and Crafts movement. The napkin ring is hand beaten, and the rim has an attractive punched dot pattern. The 4 coins include: 1. Roman Denarius, 46BC, produced by the military mint travelling with Caesar in North Africa. Venus head on obverse, CAESAR, reverse has Aeneas holding his father Anchises on his shoulder, holding palladium in other hand. 2. Danish Krone (Christian IV), dated 1643 3. Danish Krone (Frederik III, brother of Christian IV), dated 1667 4. English shilling (George III), issued in 1787, with kings head in roman attire on obverse, 4 angular shields surrounding garter star, with crowns in angles of shields The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark CRA in shaped shield. The napkin ring is in excellent condition, thanks to it being preserved in its original box (box is intact but in poor condition). We can only guess as to the origin of the napkin ring, p...

A collectable silver Castle-Top card case, depicting the Royal Exchange in high relief, by the famous Nathaniel Mills. This castle-top is very fine quality, the relief design stands out 1 cm from the case, and the detail is superb.The case is finely chased with flowers, leaves and C scrolls, and the rear cartouche is monogrammed MRI. The cartouche is a old replacement - a new cartouche has been cut out and added, to accommodate the initials of a new owner. This has been well done and does not detract. The Royal Exchange is situated in London next to the Bank of England. It was opened for trading by Queen Victoria in 1845, this case was probably made to commemorate the opening. The Royal Exchange still exists today, but is now a luxury shopping centre. The hallmarks and makers marks are clear

A fabulous silver and enamel advertising cigarette case, featuring the famous English cricketer W.G. Grace. The case is rectangular, and is beautifully engraved with scrolling foliage, the quality is excellent. The interior is gilded, and has 2 elaborately pierced and engraved arms, both with hinges. The oval enamel plaque features Grace walking down the pavilion steps out to bat, carrying his bat, in striped MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) hat, and the words "Like Grace" across his chest. Spectators can be seen in the background, the colours are superb. Both lid, base and 2 arms are clearly hallmarked, the makers mark A&J.Z is clear on both arms but worn on the case. The image is a very faithful copy of a Colman's Mustard advertising poster, which reads "Colman's Mustard, Like Grace, Heads the Field (see picture), circa 1895. This is a historic poster and image, as it represents the first time a sportsman had been used to advertise a general product. Colman's mustard was founded in 1814, and is one of the old...

An interesting novelty Victorian silver and enamel advertising vesta case, in the shape of a bell, with a buoy at sea that reads "ASBESTOS", with a warning bell inside the buoy. The asbestos bell buoy is the registered trademark of the Bells Asbestos Co. Ltd, which in it's day was one of the largest asbestos companies in the world. The vesta case has a spring loaded opening on the base, this also has the traditional vesta striking strip, note the silver ball clanger we have seen on other examples is missing. The vesta has a suspension loop, with hallmarked suspension ring at the top. The vesta and the lid are both clearly hallmarked, makers mark J.A &S is very clear, this has been described as J Aitken and son by some sources, but we think this unlikely as they only worked between 1903 and 1918, so we prefer to say the maker has not been identified yet (all assistance welcome). A similar vesta was part of the Christies specialist vesta sale 8876 (22 September, 2000), lot 14, which was displayed on the front ...

A lovely Georgian silver chamberstick, of good quality and gauge, that is still in excellent condition. The pan is circular but with an octagonal design, the border has alternating devices (one floral, one more rectangular). The candle nozzle is also octagonal, with a column design. The flying scroll handle has a cast thumb-piece with engraved family crest, and slot for holding the companion extinguisher. The chamberstick also has its original detachable conical extinguisher (sometimes called dunce cap extinguisher) with acorn finial, this is also engraved with the same family crest, its attachment has the same floral motif as on the pan. The hallmarks are very clear on both pan and extinguisher, and include Sheffield hallmarks for 1822 and makers mark I&J.S. for John and James Settle, who worked between 1814 and 1824. A number of impressive pieces by these makers have survived, including a pair of impressive wine coolers that can be seen on the Rau website (www.rauantiques.com). The crest , a "demi-lion ram...

A Victorian silver commemorative trowel with ivory handle, of very good quality, with presentation inscription surrounded by scrolling foliage and flowers. The inscription reads "To commemorate the laying of the first stone of the New University of Cape Town by Mrs William Hawke, 28th February 1925". William Hawke of Hawke and McKinley was the architect responsible for the Groote Schuur campus of UCT, a magnificent set of buildings still in use today. UCT is ranked today as one of South Africa's leading universities. The hallmarks are very clear. Atkin Brothers was in business from 1853 to 1958, when they were taken over by CJ Vander Ltd. William Hawke and his partner W McKinley were trained and worked in the UK, Hawke worked in the London Admirality Office of Works, where he assisted with the design of the Simonstown sanatorium (now Naval Signal School). They had a flair for prize winning designs, and in 1905 they won first premium for the Cape of Good Hope University buildings (later UCT). They moved to Ca...

A double sided Castle-Top card case, depicting Windsor Castle on one side, and Kenilworth Castle on the other. Both views have very fine detail, and are set on an attractive engine turned background. The Windsor Castle view is of the East Terrace, showing the new garden created for King George IV. The Kenilworth Castle view has a right facing heraldic bear in the left hand foreground, which signify ownership by the Dudley family (Cameron, The First Castle Tops, Silver Society Journal 12, pg 65). The hallmarks are very clear. John Tongue, an established maker of boxes including Castle-Tops, worked between 1831 and 1865.

A fabulous set of 12 Arts and Crafts hand forged silver Rat-tail Hanoverian teaspoons, made by the Harts of Chipping Campden, who still operate as the Guild of Handicraft today. The spoons have a ribbed Hanoverian front and Rat-tail, copying the popular 18th Century pattern circa 1730. These spoons are the large teaspoon size, and are quite heavy (all over 20 grammes), and are very pleasing quality. 3 Spoons were made in 1974 (a short year which only ran for 7 months, as the change-over month was moved from May to January), 3 are 1975 and 6 are 1976, so possibly the set was built up over time. The 3 spoons from 1974 are slightly lighter (average 20 grammes) than the other 9 (average 23.5 grammes), and have a slightly smaller and more elongated bowl, the remaining nine are identical in every way, possibly a different silversmith made the first 3. This slight difference is only really noticeable on close inspection and comparison (see photographs). The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark...

A very interesting collection of 10 silver replica spoons, all in 16th century style, made to commemorate the silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. These are lovely spoons, all very good quality, with very clear hallmarks, and are faithful replicas of the originals, mostly in museums. The spoons include: 1. Leicester spoon, Seal Top, circa 1600 2. Wrythen Knob spoon, London 1500 3. Maidenhead spoon, London 1521 (Blessed Virgin Mary) 4. Owl Knopped spoon, London 1506, original set of 6 at Corpus Christi College, Oxford 5. Lion Sejant, London 1570 6. Cone spoon, London 1538 - "Fruitlet Knop" 7. Pudsey spoon, London 1525, Tudor rose on seal (Mayer Museum, Liverpool) 8. Seal Top spoon, London 1544 9. Leicester spoon, seal top circa 1600, Brittania silver 10. Lion Sejant, London 1570, Brittania silver The first 8 spoons (sterling) were made by CJ Vander in London (one dated 1976 without jubilee mark), the last 2 were made by Garrards in Sheffield, in the higher grade Brittania silver (950). Seve...

A matching set of crested Georgian silver flatware, including 12 tablespoons, 2 sauce ladles, 2 saltspoons and butterknife, all of very good gauge and quality. The pattern is Fiddle and Thread, and all pieces have an interesting double crest, indicating a marriage between 2 noble families. The first crest is of a head and shoulders of a bearded man with unruly hair, the second a raised fist holding a halbeard. The saltspoons have gilded bowls to prevent corrosion. The butterknife is a later addition to the set (made in 1895), and only has the bearded man crest. The makers mark on the butterknife has been removed, possibly to allow the retailer to overstamp. Chawner was a prolific spoonmaker, he ran a large workshop of journeymen, whose individual marks can be seen on the spoons (devices include stars, bars, circles and triangles).

An interesting silver gilt Georgian vinaigrette, in the shape of a purse or handbag, the body decorated with chased 3 leaf device, which has been described as a trefoil design in the literature. The shape is lovely, very pleasing to hold, and with the texture has good grip. The quality is excellent, certainly made by a master craftsman. The base has a leaf design around oval eye. The lid is also beautifully decorated, a central flower on finely engraved cross-hatch surrounded by pattern border, and the side of the lid has a fruiting vine border, very delicately chased. The vinaigrette has 2 eyelets which holds the original chain, each chain link is also decorated with a bar pattern. The pierced grille has a foliate design, also engraved, both hinges are perfect. The interior gilding is also perfect. The vinaigrette has clear hallmarks, the lid has Georgian duty mark, very clear makers mark L&Co which is struck upside-down, and lion passant. The base has anchor town mark, partially worn makers mark and a very ...

A rare and interesting cast silver novelty bell, featuring "the Sketch Girl', who was the cover girl for "The Sketch" magazine. The figurine is a lady in Victorian costume, with a feather plumed bonnet tied with a bow around her neck, wide full skirt and cross pattern. She has a tray suspended from her neck, which holds a horse with jockey, and a marching soldier playing a drum, complete with bearskin hat. She has her arms outstretched, holding something in the palm of her hands. She has 2 clappers, modeled as legs complete with shoes, the bell works well, it has a lovely ring. The bell also has its original wooden stand, with a silver plaque on one side, attached by 4 silver pins, for engraving as a presentation (this one is original and has never been engraved). The hallmarks are clear, with exception of makers mark on bell, which is readable but not well struck. Both legs are also hallmarked, as is the silver plaque, which is also stamped MAPPIN & WEBB LTD. The Sketch was a British illustrated newspaper we...

A limited edition (no. 12 of 100) silver gilt Commemorative Coronation or Sovereign's orb, made to celebrate the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981, commissioned for a Royal Family event, and made by leading silversmith Christopher Lawrence. The textured gilt orb is surmounted by the cross, and the orb is decorated with the armorials of Charles and Diana, the orb rests on a baluster support mounted on a polished green marble base, with felt base. The orb opens in half on 2 hinges to reveal back to back ovals on blue and red backgrounds with their family crests, beneath letters C and D, surrounded by cast gilt roses and silver leaves. The cross rises and falls slightly to open and close the globes. The interior circular frame is clearly hallmarked, and the interior of one globe is stamped "12/100". Christopher Lawrence is one of the 50 leading silversmiths in the book "Designer British Silver 1930-1985" by Andrew and Styles, in fact his work is featured on the main cover of the book (Reed Warbler Candelabra)...

An early Georgian silver porringer, of generous size, with an engraved family crest of a "Portcullis Chained", for the Porter and Beaufort Somerset families. The porringer is the traditional shape, with a bulbous bowl shape (later examples became straight sided), with plain scroll handles with a thumb piece for improved grip. The porringer is decorated with curved lobes and flutes on the lower body, and has a scale and acanthus cartouche, with the engraved portcullis. A very similar porringer can be seen in the book "Price Guide to Antique Silver" by Peter Waldron, figure 529, page 170, who describes it as a popular design in the times of William & Mary to Queen Anne (1689-1713). The base has 4 hallmarks, lion passant which is clear, crowned leopard's head with slight wear, date letter C with slight wear for 1738, and makers mark BW in oval punch for Benjamin West, who was freed in 1733 and worked until 1750, although he only used this particular punch 1737-1738. The portcullis chained crest appears in Fairb...