A rare and interesting Victorian silver vesta case, with an enamelled Malta Blue twopence halfpenny stamp, used between 1885 and 1890. The vesta itself is rectangular in shape, with striker in base, and silver ring attachment (for attachment to Albert chain). The vesta is hallmarked in the usual place, along the inside top rim, with Lion Passant, anchor, date letter P (only in use from May to July 1890, after the duty mark was retired), and partial makers mark C. in shield punch, possibly Charles Usher of Usher Manufacturing Company. This vesta previously sold at Sotheby's London in 1988, their description stated "very rare, the only example we have seen", they also described the "superb enamelled representation of the Malta 1885-90 2&half d blue".

An antique silver whisky noggin, also called a Chota Peg, complete with antique silver whiskey wine label. The noggin is the traditional conical shape, with cut glass star base, glass handle and silver pouring collar and lid with thumb piece. The hallmarks are clear on both the rim and the lid. The noggin comes with a small kidney shaped wine label with original chain, engraved "Whiskey", also with clear London hallmarks for 1908 and Hukin & Heath makers mark, a respected firm. Whisky noggins were popular in Edwardian times, they contain a 1 gill (30 ml) measure, so a generous double tot, and were made to be taken to bed. They were also popular amongst British expats in India during the Raj period, where they were called "Chota Peg", or little drink, also "go to bed" drink. Joshua and John Maxfield, founded in 1855 in Sheffield, were celebrated at the Jewellers Exhibition of 1913 for "the extent and variety of novelties which they have placed on the market" Culme, Gold & Silversmiths pg 319. They had a showro...

A fabulous Arts & Crafts silver child's spoon, with a hedgehog finial, made by Francis Cooper, son of the famous John Paul Cooper, who was one of the leaders of the Arts and Crafts movement. Silver by Francis Cooper is quite rare, and is seldom seen (see www.antiquesilverspoons.co.uk for a beautiful tea strainer by Francis Cooper). The spoon has a well modeled hedgehog finial, mounted on a disc with 6 supports, one support is part of the spoon stem detail. The bowl is hand hammered at the back but smooth in front, with the drop and rat-tail part of the bowl. The spoon is exceptionally well made, and given it's superb gauge is a delight to hold (if you have small hands!). The hallmarks are very clear, and include gothic script FC makers mark and the Queens head Silver Jubilee mark for 1977. Francis Cooper (1906-1980, so this spoon was one of the last he produced) worked for his father as a metalworker from 1924 until his death in 1933. John Paul Cooper was an architect turned metalworker, who headed up metal...

Magnificent pair of Arts and Crafts spoons by Sibyl Dunlop, one of the leading female practitioners of the Arts and Crafts movement. The spoons are in the shape and style of 16th century spoons, with fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem and shaped finials. The spoons are cast, with hand hammered bowls, and have a cast finial that resembles a pineapple with scrolls on either side, resting on 3 rings. A furrow runs down the front end of the shaft of each spoon. These spoons are very good quality, with pleasing weight, lovely to hold and use. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including the SD makers mark. Dunlop (1889-1968) was born in Scotland, trained as a jewellery designer in Brussels, and opened a shop in Kensington Street, London. She specialised in Arts and Crafts silver and jewellery, often naturalistic in style. These spoons have been depicted and described in the book "Artists' Spoons" by Simon Moore, page 383, where they are described as "finely crafted, in classical mood (15/16th century) with ...

A magnificent Elkington silver salver, of very generous proportions, circular with a cast border decorated with 4 faces (the 4 seasons), and an elaborate shell and scroll border. The salver is exceptional quality and weight, weighing 4.65 kilogrammes (164 ounces), so this is a very large and heavy salver. The salver rests on 8 shell feet (4 double feet). It has very clear hallmarks, and is also stamped "Elkington & Co, 31921", which is probably a pattern number. The four faces are as follows: 1. Old man with flowing beard 2. Young woman with wheat sheaves 3. Young woman with roses 4. Young woman with vines and grapes. The border is cast, as can be seen in the photograph of the back of the rim.

A rare and unique cast silver wine label, engraved with the name "Mulberry Wine", an unknown name which is not recorded in the master list of names on silver wine labels (Appendix 1, Wine Labels 1730-2003, page 385, which lists 2353 different names). Mulberry wine is generally a home made, so we imagine this label was specially commissioned. The label is curved rectangular shape, with central peak topped with the Royal crown, and beautiful applied lion supporters on each side. The label is lovely quality, quite heavy, a pleasure to hold. These wine labels were distributed by the wine merchants Saccone & Speed, as can be seen in the photograph of the advert (courtesy of www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com). The hallmarks are very clear, and include the coronation mark, and makers mark LGD for Leslie Durbin. Leslie Durbin was one of the most admired silversmiths of the 20th century, his silver is in the Royal collection, he was also honoured with a 1 man exhibition at the Goldsmiths hall entitled "50 Years of Silv...

An interesting and unusual antique sterling silver gilded Christening mug, with textured body and ox eye eye handle. The mug is great quality, a good weight, and in excellent condition. The textured body is caused by thousands of circular punch marks, all applied by hand, the mug has a border and sits on a circular raised foot. The circular ox eye handle replicates a 17th century style, found on College presentation cups at Oxford. Both the interior and exterior have original gilding, this is a rich colour, the base and top rim are not gilded. The base is engraved "Thomas, 153 New Bond St", underneath Crown and Prince of Wales feathers, trademarks of FB Thomas. The hallmarks are very clear, but the feather over FBT makers mark is obscured. F.B. Thomas & Co. was a well known firm of retail silversmiths, established in 1759. Francis Boone Thomas joined the firm aged 21 in 1851, he took control in 1871, he died age 71 in 1900. The firm traded until 1941 when it was severely damaged in an air raid during World Wa...

A rare Regency rose pattern punch ladle, this is a beautiful ladle. The ladle is gilded, and has an engraved rams head family crest on the back. The ladle is the shape of a soup ladle, but is noticeably smaller, hence our description as a punch ladle (bowl is 7.0 cm by 5.5 cm). The pattern is double struck, and has good detail, with trailing roses, and Anthemion heel (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 131). The hallmarks are clear, the makers mark is slightly obscured, but the Script H used by Hayne is identifiable. Jonathan Hayne was freed in 1804, he had a flourishing business, and was Prime Warden in 1843, he died in 1848. Pickford describes the Rose pattern as rare, and he notes 2 different types (different heels). Close examination shows that these spoons have a slightly different design from the one depicted in Pickfords Flatware book (pg 131), with more leaves, so different dies must have been made.

A rare Georgian silver novelty articulated fish vinaigrette, made by William Lea & Co in Birmingham, 1817. The fish has 6 separate articulated sections, and a hinged lid (fish head) that opens to reveal an oval gilded vinaigrette, with scrolling grille which opens to reveal the gilded sponge compartment. The open mouth contains a suspensory silver ring, to allow the vinaigrette to be attached via a chain. The vinaigrette is beautifully engraved, with scales, fins and eyes, the tail and top fin are also realistically engraved. The hallmarks on the tail are very clear, the grille is also hallmarked. William Lea & Co worked between 1811 and 1825, they focused on small novelty items. A number of these fish vinaigrettes by Lea and Co are known, featuring 2 different engraving styles. An almost identical vinaigrette, also made by Lea & Co in 1817, is featured on the Bourdan Smith website (www.bourdansmith.co.uk), incorrectly described as reticulated, has very similar engraving to this one. Another example, made a y...

An Arts & Crafts silver sauce boat, with planished (hand hammered) body and a beautiful curvi-linear bi-furcating handle. The sauce boat has 3 feet, and is the traditional shape with a deep lip, very suitable for pouring. The hand hammered body and handle picks up the light, this is a lovely item. The handle is Art Nouveau in shape and style. The hallmarks are very well struck and clear, including makers mark G.U for George Unite & Sons, the business was founded in 1825 by George Unite, who apprenticed with Joseph Willmore, it still trades today.

A fabulous pair of Garrard silver napkin rings, of exceptional quality and weight, amongst the heaviest we have encountered, at 85 grammes each (3 ounces each). They are plain, and are engraved with a family armorial and motto "FUGIT", which translates as "It passes". The armorial has 2 parts, the first 3 nags (or horses) heads, with 3 stars and crescent moon, the second a sunflower on barred background (indicating a marriage between 2 families). The napkin rings are perfectly preserved in original box, which reads "By Appointment to HM THE QUEEN, Goldsmiths & Crown Jewellers, Garrard & Co Ltd, 112 Regent Street W1". The hallmarks are very clear on both rings. The arms are those of the family of Borwick impaling Sola, described as "Argent three escarbuncles fesswise sable between three bears' heads erased of the last muzzled or a crescent for difference (Borwick), and Azure a sunflower proper (de Sola)". The armorial commemorates the marriage of The Honourable George Borwick (1922-1994) to Ester Ellerman (nee...

An unusual Edwardian antique silver sauce or gravy boat, in Modernist style, at first glance it looks out of style with it's age. The sauce boat is a beautiful shape, tear drop with long elegant spout (pours very well), and 3 horn shaped legs, and a very stylish handle, with angular top and curved base. The handle works well, practical as well as stunning, the angular top fits well with the thumb for easy pouring. This design would have been leading edge when it was produced. The hallmarks are excellent, very clearly struck, so there can be no doubt about the age. Lee and Wigfull worked between 1871 and 1969, Henry Wigfull was the driver of the business, he employed over 100 people in 1880, and won awards at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1881.

A magnificent pair of Arts & Crafts silver Apostle spoons, made by George Henry Hart of the Guild of Handicraft. The spoons are clearly made by hand, with cast finials and hand hammered bowl, with clearly visible hammer marks. The quality of these spoons is fabulous, we love them! The spoons have a stylised beaded rattail, quite unusual, but a lovely feature. The Apostle figure wears a hooded cowl, and has his hands crossed in front of his body. The figure sits on a traditional hexagonal seal top, the stem of the spoon is rounded. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including makers mark "GofH", (without Ltd, in use between 1900 and 1908). The Guild of Handicraft went into liquidation in 1908, the business was continued by George Henry Hart, who designed these spoons, possibly for Prinknash Abbey. The business is still operating today, and run by Julian Hart, great grandson of George Hart (see www.hartsilversmiths.co.uk), in the beautiful village of Chipping Campden, well worth a visit. We rec...

A rare surviving set of 6 Georgian silver table knives, in the Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, with silver as opposed to steel blades. The knives are in remarkable condition and are suitable for use. The knives have an engraved family crest, an eagle sable preying on a partridge, under an Earl's crown, with 5 pearls. This is the family crest of the Earls of Onslow, the first Earl George Onslow died in 1814 so we assume these knives were made for Thomas Onslow, when he became the 2nd Earl Onslow. Thomas Onslow was born in 1754, he was Member of Parliament for Rye and Guildford. He was an associate of the Prince of Wales (later King George IV), and guarded the door when the Prince secretly married Mrs Fitzherbert (source Wikipedia). The hallmarks are clear on all 6 knives, both on the silver blades and on the handles, including makers mark MB for Moses Brent. Moses Brent was freed in 1770 as a haft-maker, he worked until 1817. Grimwade, in his book London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, states "Brent had a virtual monop...

An Irish Terrier Club sterling silver trophy spoon, which is in excellent condition. The spoon features a well modelled Irish Terrier head, which stands out in relief, on a shield under the banner which reads "The Irish Terrier Club". The spoon handle is pierced and engraved with an Irish shamrock, this is a lovely and unusual design for a spoon. The quality is excellent, the shield is cast silver, it is a pleasing weight. The spoon would have been specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1911, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!), see www.irishterrierassociation.co.uk. The first president was the Marquis of Breadalbane, who was a noted antique silver spoon collector, so perhaps he drove the production of such beautiful trophy spoons. The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Sheffield in 1924 by Martin Hall & Co Ltd, who worked between 1853 and 1962. Robert Martin ...

A rare set of 6 Shell End Pistol Grip table knives, made by the Drury Family, the pre-eminent family of haft makers in 18th Century London. The knives have pistol hafts with ornate shell ends, and the sabre or scimitar shaped steel blades are engraved "WARWICK 124 REGENT STREET", we assume the original retailer. They have a pleasing weight and feel in the hand, we really like these knives. Knives with steel blades have rarely survived in good condition, these are an exception. The handles are loaded, as is usual for knives, and each handle is engraved with a double family crest, described as "swans head and neck erased ermine collared gules between two palm branches vert" for Gist and "demi man proper holding in dexter hand chaplet vert and resting his sinister hand on a cross crosslet and belt sable" for Sellick, the engraving is clear on all 6. All 6 knives have 2 hallmarks, makers mark DD in script for Dru Drury II, and sterling lion passant, all the hallmarks are clear. Ian Pickford, in his book Silver ...

Art Deco sugartongs with a classic cast silver deco design on both arms. The tongs are well made, and feel heavy and solid to hold. The hallmarks are clear, and a facsimile Charles Boyton signature is also present. Boyton broke away from the family firm of Charles Boyton & Sons Ltd in 1934, setting up his own business emulating Omar Ramsden in the "decorative style". A number of pieces by Charles Boyton are featured in the book " A Personal Touch - The Seawolf Collection, late 19th and 20th century silver, pages 126-130", published by Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Rotterdam (which we highly recommend). He opposed the industrial methods of the family firm, and established a craft workshop, where hand made objects were engraved with his signature. He was inspired by Georg Jensen and Jean Puiforcat.

An early Victorian cast silver caddy spoon, with beautifully detailed vines, leaves and grapes. The spoon has an oval shaped bowl with pointed bowl end, the handle realistically modelled. The back of the bowl is partially covered with vine leaf and grapes. The hallmarks are clear, including date letter for 1844 and makers mark CR/WS for Charles Rawlings and William Summers, a well known business that traded between 1829 and 1897. They are known for very fine snuff boxes, wine labels and small items.

A lovely antique silver and enamel vesta case, with a circular dog enamel, we guess a border collie (assistance welcome, thanks!). The vesta is quite small, rectangular in shape, and is engraved with scrolling foliage, it also has a silver suspension ring, which is also hallmarked. The hallmarks are small but clear, in the usual position on the rim of the vesta case.

A collection of ten sterling silver shipping and sporting souvenir spoons, 7 with enamel finials. The spoons include: 1, 2 & 3. Steamships SS Virginian, Tunisian, Mauretania, Chester 1906, Alfred Wigley, gilded bowls 4. SS City of Poona, JRE SS, Birmingham 1929, James Fenton 5. Wembley Bowling Club, Birmingham 1913, Birmingham Medallion Co, 3 swords crested medallion, lovely quality 6. Bowling medallion trophy spoon, Birmingham 1931, Turner & Simpson 7. Bowling shield trophy spoon, Sheffield 1936, Gladwin Ltd 8. Pretoria Golf Club, Miss Whitfield, Birmingham 1902, James Fenton, beautiful crest 9. Lady golfer, Birmingham 1921, Herbert Bushell & Son, nice detail 10. UK & PC Bulldog club, Mrs BH Arnold 18/1/13, London 1912, Robert Pringle & Sons, beautiful enamel bulldog.