A Military Victorian silver presentation snuff box, with an erotic engraving of an amorous couple hidden away from view on the base. This is a pleasing quality, substantial in size and weight, more of a table snuff box intended for a desk than the portable versions intended for a pocket. The box is rectangular, with raised lid and base, and is casket shaped with engine turned sides. It also has applied cast foliate rims (base, lid and around the presentation panel), these have exquisite detail, overall a very attractive box. The engraved inscription reads "PRESENTED TO GEORGE BOYD ESQr. by the 20th R.R.V. 1863", and is supported by scrolls (note engraving is 18 years later than box was made). The base is engraved with a erotic scene, very finely engraved with loads of detail, this is protected by the base rim, so perfectly preserved. The interior is gilded with a beautiful lemon gold original gilding, it does not appear this box has seen much use. The hallmarks on both lid and base are very clear, maker mark ...

An unusual set of Scottish Silver Hanoverian tablespoons, made in Victorian times. These spoons are lovely spoons, very good quality and weight, a pleasure to use. The spoons have a double drop, are bottom marked and have script initials "AW" engraved on the back of the spoons, in 18th century style. The spoons were probably made to order, as they are replicas of an earlier style. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are excellent, including makers mark "G&MC" for George and Michael Crichton, who worked between 1864 and 1876.

A set of 6 Gorham sterling silver dessert sized forks in the Strasbourg pattern, first launched in 1897. The forks are fabulous quality, as you would expect from Gorham, and are in excellent condition and without any monograms or engraving. The forks have 4 tines, these would be described as salad forks in the USA. The beautiful and graceful Strasbourg pattern is inspired by French rococo style, with a series of different sized scrolls, with shells on the finials and heels. Strasbourg, designed by William Codman who was Gorham's chief designer from 1891-1914, is described by Gorham as "one of the best loved of all Gorham designs", and according to Pinterest it was used on Air Force One, (U.S. Presidents aeroplane). All 6 forks are clearly hallmarked with the Gorham lion, anchor and gothic G, alongside STERLING and PAT. 1897. They also have an additional T hallmark, we believe this was used briefly by Gorham at the turn of the century, to denote a specific weight (T for Trade, H for Heavy). Gorham Corporatio...

A typical Chinese Export silver Christening mug, richly decorated with traditional Chinese symbols, including Dragon and blossoming prunus tree, by Khecheong, one of the more prolific Chinese Export silversmiths. The mug has 3 circular embossed panels, the central one with Chinese dragon symbolising power, strength and good luck, the 2nd has a flowering Prunus blossom tree (plum or cherry), symbolising life, good health and happiness, the 3rd has flowers, buds and leaves. The remainder of the mug is finely engraved with flowers, leaves and diamond symbols, as you can see from the photographs the quality of the workmanship stands out. The handle is a curved vine, and the interior of the tapered mug is gilded. A circular patch above the dragon is plain, this is where a previous owners initials have been removed, this could be re-engraved. The base of the mug is clearly hallmarked with makers mark KHC in rectangular punch, the base also has a faint scratch engraved number, this would have been stock code used by...

A Cape silver beaker, in the shape of half a wine barrel, with a Dutch silver Ducaton Silver Rider dated 1769 set in the base. The beaker has realistically modelled barrel staves, complete with arrow shaped ends with nail heads, and is later engraved with owners initials "JvR" on one side and the date "5th March 1865" on the other side. The barrel also has engraved half circle on rim, to show where 2 halves should be joined. No hallmarks are present. The Dutch silver rider Ducaton coin is a crown sized coin (32.8 grammes of .94 silver), the obverse features a mounted knight on horseback, above a crowned shield, (City of Utrecht) with the motto "MO: NO: ARG: CON: POE: BELG: PRO: TRAI:", translated "Coin of government of the federation of Belgium, Utrecht". The reverse has the crowned arms of Zeeland with supporters, with date 1769 in cartouche below, with motto "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT", translated "Concordance makes small things grow". The coin itself is in good condition, the base is protected by a rim...

A 20th Lancers Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Enamel sweetheart brooch. The brooch features the traditional crossed lances with flying pennons, with Royal crown above, LANCERS scroll below and XX in the centre, denoting the regiment as 20th Lancers. The brooch is 15 carat gold, the 2 X's are platinum set with 18 diamonds, all are present. The crown has red enamel, the pennons red and white enamel, and LANCERS blue enamel, all enamel is perfect. The brooch is hallmarked "15 ct & PT.", indicating 15 carat gold and platinum, which was often used in English jewellery from circa 1890 until 1932. Platinum use in jewellery became popular in Edwardian times, 15 carat gold was used between 1854 and 1932, when it was replaced by 14 carat gold. The 20th Lancers was a regiment of the British Indian Army, which saw service between 1921 and 1937. Today both India and Pakistan have a 20th Lancers regiment. This brooch is accompanied by a valuation certificate from Gemlab confirming authenticity of diamonds and that the brooch ...

An interesting commemorative silver card tray (or small salver), with the traditional pie crust border of moulded shells and scrolls, made by Elkington. The tray has 3 cast feet, the traditional dragon claw on pearl, with lovely detail. The tray is very good quality, as you would expect of Elkington, quite heavy to hold. The tray is engraved "MEMENTO of ABERYSWYTH LIFEBOAT. ALFRED G.T. SMITH (Volunteer) Member of Crew. GALE of SEPTEMBER 26th 1899. (Unsuccessful Search) 1.20. A.M TO 8.0. A.M." Note incorrect spelling of Aberystwyth, I guess an easy mistake if you are not Welsh. Aberystwyth is a historic Welsh market town, now a University town and tourist destination, but previously an important Atlantic gateway. The Aberystwyth lifeboat station was established in 1861, it still operates today.

A lovely 18th century Dutch silver miniature teapot, with an interesting inverted pear shape, scrolling handle, S shaped spout and baluster finial. The foot is banded, the base is concave so the hallmarks have been perfectly preserved. It is quite heavy and well made, a pleasure to hold. The hallmarks include makers mark of a hunting horn in a heart, under a crown, for Johannes van Geffen (1766-1798), grandson of Arnoldus van Geffen. The makers mark overstrikes the date letter, but sufficient can be seen to determine it is Y for 1783, given the shape it could not be any other date letter. The Amsterdam town mark is clearly visible. The van Geffens were one of the 3 great families of Dutch miniature silver makers (Houart, Miniature Silver Toys).

An unusual Russian silver kvass jug in Trompe L'Oeil style ("deceive the eye"), which is a type of chased decoration designed to imitate a surface or texture, to create a 3D impression. The jug is typically Russian in style, and the texturing imitates rush work or raffia (woven birch wood strips). The detail is amongst the best we have seen, the silversmith was definitely a true artist. The interior of the jug is gilded, and the hallmarks on the base are clear, although part of the makers mark is worn. The handle also has the St Petersburg hallmark. The assay master is Aleksandr Frans Fan der Flit (or van der Vliet), who worked in St Petersburg 1882 to 1894, his Cyrillic initials are AF, source www.925-1000.com. This assay master is described as unknown by Watts (Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks 1700-1917, Geoffrey Watts, pg 73). We are not experts on cyrillic makers marks, so are not certain we have correctly identified the maker - all opinions welcome. Kvass is a traditional Russian and Ukrainian fermented b...

A lovely set of 5 18th century Dutch silver Hanoverian pattern 3 pronged forks, with a matching 6th fork made slightly later by another maker, we assume to replace a loss shortly after they were made. The forks are quite plain and elegant, with turn down ends, and a prominent drop and pip, the "Amsterdam Lofje", characteristic of spoons and forks from Amsterdam. The forks have no engraving or monograms. All the forks have makers mark HK in script for Hendrik Kamerlingh II, who worked between 1730 and 1776, and Amsterdam town mark (crown above 3 crosses). The 6th fork has makers mark HO for Hendrik Overhulsman, who worked between 1790 and 1811, also with Amsterdam town mark. All 6 makers and town marks are slightly squashed, this is usual on 18th century bottom marked flatware as the spoon maker would have re-hammered the stems after return from the assay office, as the stem would bulge when the marks were struck. All 6 forks have an additional hallmark, V in shield under a crown, this is a Dutch tax mark used...

A pair of Georgian silver salad servers, made by a rarely encountered silversmith Henry Day, who only worked for a few years prior to being sentenced to death for counterfeiting, after which his sentence was reprieved and changed to "transportation for a period of 7 years". The servers are Fiddle pattern, the spoon has a pear shaped bowl, the fork a more rounded bowl with 5 tines cut into the bowl end. Both are engraved with a family crest of a Lion Rampant, this is finely engraved and very clear. Both are clearly hallmarked for London 1821 with makers mark H.D, (Grimwade 981) both also have a Journeyman's mark (one a cross, one 2 dots). On careful examination of the hallmarks we believe these to be genuine. Henry Day was freed in 1817, he first worked for his father, this mark was registered in 1820. An interesting article by Trevor Downes entitled "An example of the Counterfeiters' Art, The work of Henry Day" was published in the Finial (March 2011, page 6), explains that Day's workshop was raided by the Go...

An interesting Cape silver snuff box, an unusual convex shape which gives it a lovely feel in the hand and pocket. The box has a part hinged lid, as is usual with this form, with just a slight overlap creating the thumbpiece. The decoration is typically Cape, a 8 petalled flower with wrigglework border, which is extremely well preserved due to the shape of the lid. The box also has original owners engraved initials AWJP, also with wrigglework border. The hinge is also decorated with cross hatch engraving. The original gilt interior is a lemon yellow colour, and the IC makers mark struck in the lid is very clear and distinct ( Welz mark 32). Convex shaped snuff boxes, given the more challenging construction in relation to the rectangular boxes, are rare in the Cape, this demonstrates that Combrink was a master craftsman.

A large silver lighthouse caster, retailed by James Robinson of Park Avenue, New York. The caster is the traditional lighthouse shape, a design that originated in the late 17th century. This is a replica of an earlier style, but extremely good quality and weight. It has attractive stylised cross and flower piercing, and scrolling cut card decoration on both the base and top (cut card decoration is an extra silver soldered plate, which adds weight and a pleasing decoration, a technique pioneered by the Huguenots circa 1700). The caster has the traditional bayonet locking mechanism, which securely holds the 2 pieces together. Both base and top have a gadrooned rim, which aids grip and also adds a nice decorative touch. The base is circular and spreading, which has preserved the hallmarks underneath. The caster also has a baluster finial, and a rib on the main body which also aids grip. In addition to the London hallmarks for 1959, the caster is stamped "James Robinson INC New York, Made in England". James Robin...

A magnificent set of early Victorian Elkington silver plate wine coasters, with an attractive cast grape vine design with lovely detail. The coasters have turned wooden bases, with a vacant central silverplate boss. The wooden bases are covered in green felt. Both coasters carry a full set of marks, including makers mark "EP&Co in shield under crown", "E", "M", "&Co", being the makers mark used by Elkington, Mason & Co between 1842 and 1864. Josiah Mason invested in the Elkington firm in 1842, hence the addition of his name to the company name. The makers mark is followed by the date letter "T in lozenge" for 1858. The coasters are also stamped "Elkington & Co" and "R1126", a pattern registration number. Elkington & Co are one of the most important names in English silver. The firm was founded in 1836, in 1838 they patented a new way to electroplate, and in 1851 they exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 (Crystal Palace in Hyde Park) with great success (www.ascasonline.org). The company held Royal warra...

A Cape silver snuff box, decorated with typical Cape silver engraving, struck twice with an unidentified makers mark that requires further research. The snuff box is rectangular, with a plain thumb-piece and gilded interior. The box lid is beautifully engraved, original owners initials JM in script, surrounded by oval wreath. The wreath is repeated in rectangular form, with the typically Cape wavy engraved border repeated twice, on the border and around the wreath. Careful examination of the engraved wreath shows the wavy leaves and foliage branch off from the wavy engraved design. The base is engraved with the same wavy borders, with a central rectangular cross hatch design, this looks similar to engine turned engraving but was clearly done by hand. The sides of the snuffbox have engraved bands (a series of dots), this is also present on the base. Similar engraving on Cape silver snuff boxes can be seen in the book "Cape Silver" by Stephan Welz, page 88 figure 1 by Johannes Combrink, and page 89 figure 1. b...

A beautiful pair of French sterling silver salad servers in the Sceaux pattern, that carries the marks of 2 of France's greatest silversmiths - Christofle and Cardeilhac. The quality and weight of this pair is outstanding, they are a joy to use. They are the traditional shape, the fork has 3 fat tines, and both have a matched shaped cut-out where the bowls join the handles. They are double struck (pattern repeated on both sides), and they have not been engraved. The Sceaux pattern was produced by Christofle Cardeilhac between 1983 and 1999, it is similar to the classical Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern. Cardeilhac produced a print advertisement aimed at the US market featuring the Sceaux pattern in 1983, with the tagline "Even in France only a few own Cardeilhac Sterling", this ad can be seen on Ebay. Both pieces are clearly hallmarked with 4 hallmarks in the bowls, these include 1. the Christofle makers mark (diamond punch, 3 stars with bee below, OC for Orfevre Christofle), 2. the Cardeilhac makers mark (c...

A late 17th century Augsburg silver brandy bowl, with a beautiful embossed scene in high relief. The bowl is the traditional shape, a scalloped oval dish with 2 scroll handles, with the base and sides embossed in great detail. The base features a basket of fruit, flowers and nuts in abundance, under 2 flying doves holding a laurel wreath, below rays (we assume to signify God looking down on a bountiful harvest). The sides are embossed with scrolls, the sides are also gilded, with quite a bit or original gilding still present, the base has no gilding. The bowl is clearly hallmarked with the Augsburg town mark of a pyr (pinecone), not a pineapple as sometimes described. The bowl is also hallmarked with an indistinct makers mark, we think PL (all assistance welcome), and a well defined assay scrape (zigzag).

An interesting Scottish silver Traprain Treasure bottle stand, made by leading Glaswegian silversmiths George Edward & Sons in 1919, complete with original glass oil bottle. The stand is circular, and has an attached drip tray, so very practical for use. What makes this bottle stand exceptional is the handles, 2 semi circular serpents or birds head figural terminals, complete with snake like tail attachment to the stand. These are reproductions of spoon finials found in the Traprain treasure law hoard, which was discovered by George Pringle at Traprain Law, East Lothian, in 1919. The hoard dates from 400 AD, and consisted of 160 pieces, mostly cut up ready for melting. The Traprain treasure is now in the National Museum of Scotland (source is www.romanscotland.org.uk, well worth a visit). William Brook of Brook & Son, Edinburgh, who would have competed with George Edward & Sons for business, was the silversmith involved in conserving and trying to reconstruct the original pieces, he then gained permission f...

An unusual and beautiful antique Indian scallop shell dish, we are informed this is a rare design for Indian silver, and probably designed for colonial tastes, as it replicates a 18th century design made famous by Paul De Lamerie. The dish is the traditional scallop (or escallop) shape, with 10 ribs, each rib has repoussed (embossed) decoration, this includes numerous animals (elephant, antelopes, lions, dogs, hares and birds) interspersed with trees, flowers and foliage. The dish has 3 cast feet, lion claw under capped leaf scrolls, and rests evenly on a table. The dish is medium in size, so suitable for serving a variety of snacks. The quality is superb, clearly made by a master craftsman, it would have taken many hours to produce. As is usual for Indian silver of this period, no hallmarks are present. We welcome any comments or information on this wonderful dish.

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 ...