A Royal Navy & Merchant Services gold and pearl nautical crown sweetheart brooch, with 14 pearls set in 18 Carat gold, the detail of the crown is exquisite, this is a top quality brooch. Both the crown and supporting bar are 18 carat gold, both are clearly hallmarked "18CT". The 18 carat gold is a deep yellow colour, the pin has a reddish tinge, so could be 9 carat (pin is unmarked). The pearls are different sizes, with the largest in the centre of the crown. These sweetheart brooches were popular during both WW1 and WW11, we have tentatively dated it to WW11 (1939-1945) given the style of the box. The brooch is perfectly preserved in it's original box, which reads "Royal Appointment, Gieves Ltd, 21 Old Bond Street, London W1". Gieves (now Gieves & Hawkes) is a prestigious Savile Row Tailor, established in 1771, the hold numerous Royal Warrants, including the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales. They have long served the British Army, Royal Navy and the Royal family, clients include Lord Nelson, the...

A set of 6 sterling silver grapefruit spoons, with pointed bowls for easy access to the fruit. The spoons have a threaded border pattern with pointed terminals, sometimes referred to as French pattern. The spoons are very pleasing quality and weight, they have a solid feel in the hand, as is often the case with pre-war silver. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked with Sheffield hallmarks for 1939 and makers mark EV for Viners Limited, started by Adolphe Viner in 1901, the E refers to his son Emile. Viners was a leading 20th century British cutlery brand, known for good quality, they were acquired by Oneida in 2005. These spoons also have an additional set of 3 hallmarks, smaller but clearly struck, these are Irish import marks that were struck on foreign silver. These marks include the Dublin assay office Boujet mark, .925 sterling standard mark, and Dublin date letter X for 1939, meaning these spoons were exported to Ireland as soon as they were made. The Boujet mark is a stylized representation of a medieval...

A silver "two-cigar" case, with Boer War inscription "Dr Kellner, from a Grateful "Australian" Patient, Bloemfontein, 1900". The Australian is in inverted comma's. The case is well made, good quality and gauge, and quite solid. The interior is gilded, and the hallmarks are clear on both sides of the case. H. Matthews was a large and well known Birmingham firm. Bloemfontein was the capital of the Orange Free State, and was surrendered to the British on 13 March 1900. Thirty thousand British troops entered Bloemfontein, and thanks to poor sanitation a typhoid epidemic broke out, which caused hundreds if not thousands of deaths. Doctors (who included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) were in short supply, with 3 doctors per 350 patients (Pakenham, The Boer War, pg 382) - which no doubt led to the generosity of our unnamed "Australian". Today Bloemfontein hospital is on Kellner Street, we are not sure if there is a connection.

A lovely Queen Anne replica teapot, itself antique as over 100 years old, a faithful copy of the earliest known English silver teapots. The teapot is small, due to the rarity of tea during the period, it would be termed bachelor size today. The teapot is pear shaped, with a domed lid topped by urn finial, stand-away hinge, raised circular foot, and octagonal curved spout. The wooden handle is the traditional shape, with thumb piece for easy pouring. The weight and quality are excellent, this teapot is a pleasure to use. An original teapot, dated 1715 and valued at over GBP 12000, is depicted in the book "Price Guide to Antique Silver, Peter Waldron, page 269, this replica is an almost exact copy. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark JA for James Aitchison of Princes Street, Edinburgh, Goldsmith to the Queen (Victoria), Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh. Aitchison worked between 1877 and 1910, he was a town councillor, and was involved in the building of Usher Hall. His home in Edinburgh is now t...

An interesting set of 3 antique sterling silver serving implements, in the rare Venetian/Italian pattern. They consist of a fabulous quality stilton cheese scoop (81 grammes), and matching pickle fork and butter spreader, all beautifully preserved in original felt and silk lined case. The pattern is very intricate, and is repeated on both sides, at first glance it is similar to Elizabethan pattern, both are Renaissance and Baroque in style. Unlike Elizabethan this pattern has a circular cartouche, repeated on both sides, this has not been engraved. Venetian/Italian pattern was registered in 1868, most pieces are by Martin Hall&Co, this is a scarce pattern (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 94). Pickford aslo describes a subtle difference between Venetian and Italian (this is difficult to see without a photo of both). The box reads "Mappin & Webb, Manufacturing Goldsmiths & Silversmiths, London, Sheffield & Johannesburg". The hallmarks are clear on all 3 items. We love this set, a delight to hold and use.

A fabulous parcel gilt hand forged sauce ladle in the rare Circle pattern, designed by Stuart Devlin, one of the greatest post war 20th Century British silversmiths, included in the top 50 in the book "Designed British Silver 1930-1985' by John Andrew & Derek Styles (a book we highly recommend). The ladle has a curved, tapered handle, with a cross cut textured face, with applied simulated filigree circular motif at the top of the handle, the whole front of the handle with beautiful gilding. The bowl is circular, and quite thick, the quality is outstanding, as you would expect from a hand forged spoon. the ladle is clearly hallmarked with makers mark SD, London marks for 1977, and the optional silver Jubilee mark, only used in 1977 to celebrate the Queen's 25th year on the throne. The ladle is also numbered 71, perhaps a pattern or customer number. The Circle pattern is rare, it is not included in the list of 10 Devlin patterns in the book "Silver Flatware" by Ian Pickford, pages 163-167, Pickford describes D...

A collection of 10 sterling silver Royal souvenir spoons. Six spoons have enamel finials, 1 has enamel bowl as well. Six spoons are English, 3 are Canadian and 1 is Dutch. 4 spoons commemorate coronations. The spoons include: 1. Edward VII in commemoration of the Coronation, Westminster Abbey 1902, Birmingham 1901, Henry Griffiths & Sons, Abbey in bowl 2. Edward VII, Birmingham 1901, S Blanckensee & Sons, Edward in bowl, pierced cast Edward handle, gilded, a lovely spoon 3. Victoria Queen and Empress, London 1898, Saunders & Shepherd, imported F mark, gilded 4. King George V, Mary Queen Consort, Crowned at Westminster June 22 1911, Birmingham 1910, BH Joseph & Co, coronation chair in cast handle 5. Elizabeth II, Crowned 1953, Birmingham 1952, Mappin & Webb, coronation hallmark, "Fire Triumphs over Materials" for JK Smit & Sons, diamond drilling company 6. Royal visit to South Africa, King George VI and Queen Mother, South African coat of arms, Dutch dagger hallmark and makers mark for Van Kempen 7. Roy...

A very good quality silver sauceboat or gravyboat with shaped rim and leaf capped flying scroll handle, 3 cast hoof feet and a nice crest, a greyhound holding an arrow. The hallmarks are very clear, even the leopards' whiskers are visible! Smith and Sharp were important makers, who made some of the finest silver of the period (Pickford, Jackson's hallmarks). They supplied Parker & Wakelin, the Royal Goldsmiths who supplied the Prince of Wales and "half the nobility of England" (Grimwade, London Goldsmiths). The crest has been identified as belonging to the Watts family, and is described as "A greyhound sejant argent supporting with its dexter foot an arrow or headed and barbed of the first". The heraldic research report is available in our articles section.

A set of 6 Liberty & Co. silver cakeforks, in the Medea pattern, and perfectly preserved in their original Liberty silk lined box. The Medea patten features 3 embossed seed pods in Art Nouveau elongated manner, originally designed by Archibald Knox in 1899, it became Liberty's most popular pattern. The forks have 2 tines, with a fatter tine for cutting cake, they are great quality, and a pleasure to hold and use. All 6 forks are clearly hallmarked, with the Liberty and Co triple diamond makers mark. The original silk lined box is in perfect working order, it reads "Liberty London - Paris By Special Appointment", between 2 crowned Royal flags. The Medea pattern was first featured as part of the first Cymric range in the Liberty catalogue of 1899, as one of a set of 6 spoons (along with Adela, Sabra, Sarepta, Egbert and Decos) ("Artists Spoons" by Simon Moore, pages 70-91, a book we highly recommend). Originally described as an "embossed floral handle", it is thought they represent tulip buds or seed pods. The ...

A Victorian silver wine bottle stand, with blank central cartouche (suitable for engraving), with embossed shell and scroll decoration, raised edge and 4 very ornate scrolling feet. It is a good weight and is good quality, and suitable for use. The base is engraved "Hunt & Roskell, Late Storr & Mortimer, 8095". The sterling lion, town mark, date letter and duty mark are clear, but the makers mark is very faint and barely visible (although not necessary with the full name engraved on the base). Hunt & Roskell were the most prestigious silversmiths of Victorian England, having descended from Paul Storr, the most famous of English silversmiths. They were silversmiths and jewellers to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and had an important display at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1865 it was recorded that they were the largest holders of precious stones in Europe (John Culme, Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, pg 245).

A magnificent silver gilt snuffbox, with a cast panel of a scene from Greek mythology, showing Hebe, Goddess of Youth, feeding Jupiter (disguised as an eagle) with Ambrosia, the nectar of eternal youth. Hebe, or Juventas in Latin, was the cup bearer to the Gods, responsible for feeding them "Heavens Wine" to provide immortality. The box is engine turned, and has a flower head thumb pull. This box is of outstanding quality, and is heavy and has a pleasing feel. Hallmarks are very clear.

A set of four silver "Gourmet" wine labels, for Brandy, Sherry, Port and Whisky. The labels feature a well dressed gourmet sitting at a well stocked table with knife and fork in hand tucking into a whole fish, he is surrounded by various food and drink, including a chicken, boar's head, ribs, jelly, wine bottles and mugs, with 2 fruit baskets either side. The gourmet's feet protrude from beneath the table, the hallmarks are between his feet. The labels are crescent shaped with the original chains intact, and as can be seen from the photos are well modelled, quite humorous with lots of detail. The label is a copy of an antique Belgium slot wine label circa 1814-31, depicted in the book "Wine Labels 1730 - 2003", figure 1308, page 344, described as "overwhelmingly self-indulgent gourmandise". The labels include maker's mark MWD in a wine bottle punch for Michael Wyard Druitt, who specialises in high quality handmade wine and decanter labels (see www.decanter-labels.com). Michael Druitt is an active membe...

A hand hammered silver bowl on upturned base, with silver ball feet and decoration. It is beautifully made, of good gauge, and is engraved "To Ian Desborough Elliot from his Godmother, 1901. In small things liberty, in great things unity, in all things charity". The hallmarks are clear, including the makers mark. The Guild of Handicraft Ltd was formed by Charles Robert Ashbee in 1898, and worked from New Bond Street. It went into liquidation in 1908, amidst complaints that the large London firms plagiarised designs and sold them cheaper. The Guild consisted of 50 craftsmen, and each item was made by hand.

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...

An early Georgian silver lemon (or orange) strainer, distinguished by a large bowl, a simple circular pierced design with 7 circles, and solid shaped handles. The strainer is engraved with a beautiful Scottish family crest on one handle, with motto "Audeo Quid Audeo" (translated I dare what I dare), above a rampant lion crest holding a shield (possibly with unicorn) and a bust of a man wearing head dress above a Ducal crown with strawberry leaves. The 7 circular piercings all have a pattern of 7 pierced holes in the centre, and in between on the sides of the bowl, overall simple but attractive and functional. The strainer is hallmarked with 4 hallmarks in the bowl, these are partially obscured by the piercing which was done after hallmarking. The date letter Q for 1731 is still clearly visible, the lion passant and crowned leopard head are still legible, the makers mark is partially struck, but the crown above rose in a shaped punch is clearly visible, above a partial L, so we can be confident this is the mar...

An Arts & Crafts English sterling silver cream or milk jug, at first glance it looks Scandinavian in design, with beautiful clean lines. This is typical of Eric Clements style, he is best remembered for his award winning Mappin and Webb tea and coffee service (this jug is a similar but different design). The jug is a delight to use, it pours beautifully. The hallmarks are excellent, and include "Designed by Eric Clements" facsimile signature, and "Mappin & Webb". Eric Clements is one of the 50 leading silversmiths profiled in the book "Designer British Silver, 1930-1985", by Andrew & Styles, a book which we highly recommend. "Clements was unusual in that he designed silver, and then had the designs manufactured by a craftsman, most silversmiths prefer to produce their own designs. He also had a dual career as educator and designer, he spent most of his career as Head of Industrial Design at Birmingham College of Art. Alongside his academic career he was consultant designer for Mappin and Webb, it is his desig...

A set of 6 sterling silver grapefruit spoons in the Kings pattern, double struck, in excellent condition, they appear unused. The spoons are very good quality and weight, over 30 grammes each, and the hallmarks are excellent on all 6 spoons. Cooper Brothers was established in 1866, they were successful manufacturers, eventually being sold in 1983. The original box has a label that reads "Bracher & Sydenham, Queen Victoria Street, Reading, est 1790", the firm has a long and illustrious history, and still operates today after being acquired by Goldsmiths chain in 1974. They received a Royal warrant from King Edward VII, who visited the shop personally. Note - 5 spoons are 1966, one is 1965, so made over the date letter change.

An antique silver cigar or cheroot case, with an interesting historical engraved inscription, presented to the Honourable Albert Thomas Oliff in 1910. This is a good quality case, a very pleasing weight, and is in excellent condition, it does not appear to have been used. The case is beautifully engraved, with a repeating leaf and scroll pattern. It is engraved "Presented by the Designated Officers of the Post & Telegraph Dept in Grateful Recognition of Valued Assistance which Righted an Injustice, Natal 1910". The front cartouche is engraved "A.T. Oliff" for Albert Thomas Oliff. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark HW&Co Ltd for Horace Woodward & Co, who worked between 1871 and 1921. Albert Thomas Oliff was born in 1855, he married Louise Florence Harper and died in 1924. He emigrated from England to South Africa in 1877, and obviously prospered, in 1986 a book entitled "The Honourable A.T. Oliff: A family history by E.M. Hood-Williams" was published in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal (previou...

A set of 6 antique silver egg spoons, in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. The spoons are fabulous quality, just under 30 grammes each, a pleasure to hold and use. The spoons have the traditional shovel shaped bowls with distinct shoulders, where they meet the stem, so quite different to teaspoons. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons, but the makers mark is only lightly struck, enough is visible to confirm the triangle shaped HA&S makers mark for Hollard, Aldwinckle & Slater, used between 1905 and 1919. Culme (Directory of Gold & Silversmiths) describes this firm as "an important firm of manufacturing silversmiths, established 1838, they purchased Chawner & Co in 1883, Hennell in 1887, they were absorbed by Francis Higgins in 1922". They supplied virtually all the leading silversmiths of the day, including Garrard, Elkington, Mappin & Webb, and Hunt & Roskell. A visitor in 1894 said "in passing through the galleries, the heavy thuds and ring of anvils, convince one that there is indeed such a trade as...

A fabulous lion mask head and paw feet cauldron salt cellar with near matching mustard pot, complete with blue glass liner. The salt has a gadrooned rim, and 3 cast lion mask head and feet, with very pleasing detail, and is gilded with a matt finish. The weight of both is extraordinary, these are very heavy and good quality items. The mustard pot has a hinge lid and scrolling handle. The salt was made by Hollard, Aldwinkle & Slater in 1917, the mustard pot is by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, 1920. On very close inspection you can see they do not quite match, the lions are cast in different moulds, with very slight differences in the detail - but both are reproductions of a very popular early Georgian style circa 1750. This style was also copied by Paul Storr. The hallmarks on both are very clear, the lid is also hallmarked. Hollard, Aldwinkle & Slater was an important firm who worked between 1838 and 1932, they acquired a number of leading firms including Adams (Chawner), Hennell and Higgins. The Gol...