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...

A beautifully modelled Victorian cast silver novelty pepper (or pepperette) of a running dog, with pull off pierced head. The dog is a delight to hold and use, the texture gives a pleasing feel, this is a fine quality item. The dog rests firmly on a table, no wobbles. Both the body and the head are clearly hallmarked, including makers mark FE in shaped punch for Thomas Johnson (Dyer's buildings), which was established in 1850, and was transferred to Sampson Mordan in 1898. Frederick Edmonds (FE makers mark used 1892-1898) joined the business in 1878, he took over full control in 1892 until his death in 1898, when his widow transferred the business to Sampson Mordan & Co. Thomas Johnson specialised in small novelty silver items, they supplied many top retailers, including Walter Thornhill, both locally and internationally.

A pair of Jugendstil German silver serving spoons, 800 purity, made by Lazarus Posen of Frankfurt, Germany circa 1900. The spoons have an interesting diamond shaped bowl, the bowls are gilded on both sides, so can be used for serving salty dishes. The handles are single struck in typical Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) style, with a central wreath surrounding engraved initials MJL. Both spoons are clearly hallmarked, makers mark script P in shaped outline, 800 standard mark and German crescent moon and crown hallmarks. Lazarus Posen was founded in Frankfurt in 1869, they specialised in Judaica, they became one of Germany's leading silversmiths, receiving a Royal warrant in 1903. They closed in 1938 due to Kristallnacht.

A set of 6 Georgian silver dessert forks in the Old English pattern, made by the delightfully named Samuel Godbehere, with his partner Edward Wigan. The forks are good quality and a pleasing weight. The forks have a beautifully engraved family crest of a sun in splendour, very intricate with about 50 sunbursts, this is quality engraving. The sun in splendour crest was used by a number of families, all assistance welcome. All 6 forks have clear hallmarks, including makers mark SG/EW which was used between 1787 and 1800.

An Irish Georgian silver pair of sugartongs, decorated in bright cut engraving, and featuring the rare "Dublin Bow" engraved on both arms. The tongs are lovely quality and a good weight, they have shell grips, concave arms, and are slightly longer and heavier than their English counterparts (See Hodges, Georgian Silver Sugar Tongs, page 197, where he also states that Irish tongs of this period are beautifully made, with distinctive bright cut engraving, commanding prices 2 to 3 times more than English equivalents). The tongs are engraved with original owners initials ER in script. Bright cut engraving was popular in Ireland between 1790 and 1800, the bright cut glitters in candlelight, the Bow pattern is much rarer than the Dublin Star pattern, the Star, Bow and Prince of Wales Feathers (unique to Limerick) are unique to Irish silver. The hallmarks are clear, under the bow, makers mark BT in serrated punch for Taitt who worked between 1784 and 1791, and Irish harp and Hibernia in rounded punch used before 17...

A fabulous Victorian Scottish silver Rams Head snuff mull cover, decorated with an impressive faceted semi precious stone and 6 hardstone cabochons. The cover is dome shaped with a circular base, and is embossed and engraved with Scottish thistles and Celtic knot designs. The central diamond shaped crystal has a diameter of 3.7 cm, this is a large stone. The six hardstone cabochons are 2.2 cm in diameter, colours range from green to red to brown, we imagine Scottish granite. The interior is gilded, and the hallmarks are perfectly preserved. This is the largest and most impressive Rams head snuff mull cover we have seen, we have seen similar smaller examples. The cover would have been mounted on a ceremonial Rams head, used to dispense snuff at a table - we prefer this cover without the original rams head! Mackay & Chisholm were a prestigious Scottish firm, the worked between 1834 and 1941 from Princes Street, Edinburgh.

A set of 4 Scottish silver Hanoverian pattern tablespoons, made in Edinburgh in 1773 by William & John Taylor. The spoons have the Hanoverian central ridge, and have double drops on the back of the bowls. The spoons are engraved with an interesting family crest of a hand holding an Imperial Crown, below motto "Corde et Animo", translated "With heart and soul", this is the crest and motto of the Scottish Clayhills-Henderson family. The engraving is on the back of all 4 spoons, as is usual for the period, when flatware was placed on the table facing down. The engraving has some wear, but still clearly visible on all 4 spoons. All 4 spoons are bottom marked, and have 3 clear hallmarks - Edinburgh castle, Scottish thistle and date letter gothic T for 1773. The spoons also have a poorly struck makers mark, only partially visible on 1 spoon, just enough to see it is WT over JT for William & John Taylor (Jackson page 549). William Taylor worked from 1753, and produced good quality silver, we assume he was joined b...

A set of 4 matching Norwegian silver pickle forks (830 grade) in the Dronning pattern, made in Oslo by leading silversmith Jacob Tostrup. Two forks are larger and 2 are smaller, so perfect for serving larger items like cold meats and smaller more delicate items. The forks have 2 curved tines, and the Dronning pattern reminds us of English Fiddle and Shell pattern. All 4 forks are clearly hallmarked with the Tostrup tankard makers mark, and silver standard mark 830S. The forks have no engraving. Tostrup was founded in 1832, and is still one of Norway's leading silversmiths today

An early Georgian Hanoverian pattern 3 prong silver dessert fork, made in 1724, when King George I was still on the throne. The fork is the traditional Hanoverian shape, and is bottom marked. The fork has 2 clearly engraved family crests on the back of the fork, so perhaps linked to a marriage, they include a bearded head with bandanna, and a stag with raised front leg. The hallmarks are squashed and partially visible, but the London crowned leopard head, lion passant and date letter I for 1724 are legible. The makers mark is not visible, you can only just see a small star in shaped shield, similar to that seen under the Paul Crespin mark, but not enough to confirm. A later hallmark T is clearly struck, we are not sure of the significance, all assistance welcome. Three pronged Hanoverian pattern forks first appeared around 1710, by 1750 they had been replaced by 4 tines.

A lovely Queen Anne Dognose (also called wavy end) spoon in Brittania silver. The Dognose was popular during the Queen Anne period, and the transition between the earlier Trefid and later Hanoverian can clearly be seen. This spoon is clearly engraved "S*B" on the back of the spoon, which is correct as spoons were placed bowl down on the table at this time. The S*B mark of the original owners probably signifies a betrothal. The spoon has a very pronounced rat-tail, and is quite good quality, this spoon has a nice feel. The makers mark Br above fleur de lys in shaped shield is very clear, this is Grimwade mark 209, the mark is clearly struck, with slight wear to the r. The remaining 3 marks are squashed (the stem was shaped after the hallmarks were struck) and partially worn, but still legible enough to see Brittania, Lions head erased and date letter for 1712. John Broake was freed in 1699 and worked until 1712, he was a specialist spoonmaker. A marrow scoop made by John Broake, also in 1712, is depicted in t...

An Irish silver serving spoon in the Fiddle pattern, with Rat-tail bowl, this is a feature only found on Irish spoons of this period. The spoon is engraved with original owners initials WMC in script. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark TT without pellat, this mark was only used by Townsend in 1816 and 1817. The hallmarks are clear, and include retailers mark LAW for Willaim Law, who operated in Dublin from 1766 - late 1820's, firstly from Cole Alley, Castle street, then Sackville Street, it is known Thomas Townsend was one of his suppliers. This spoon is suitable for use as a serving spoon. Note - The hallmarks appear to have been painted over with a brown substance, possibly varnish, but they are still clearly visible. This spoon also has an additional engraved C on the drop, probably the initial of a different owner.

A lovely Queen Anne Dognose (also called wavy end) spoon in Brittania silver. The Dognose was popular during the Queen Anne period, and the transition between the earlier Trefid and later Hanoverian can clearly be seen. This spoon is clearly engraved "S*B" on the back of the spoon, which is correct as spoons were placed bowl down on the table at this time. The S*B mark of the original owners probably signifies a betrothal. The spoon has a very pronounced rat-tail, and is quite good quality, this spoon has a nice feel. The makers mark Br above fleur de lys in shaped shield is very clear, this is Grimwade mark 209, the mark is clearly struck, but given the narrow spoon handle only a portion of the r is cisible. The remaining 3 marks are squashed (the stem was shaped after the hallmarks were struck) and partially worn, but still legible enough to see Brittania, Lions head erased and date letter for 1712. John Broake was freed in 1699 and worked until 1712, he was a specialist spoonmaker. A marrow scoop made by J...

A rare and possibly unique Chinese Export Silver Pickle Fork and matching spoon, with extremely long handles. The pair are in the Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, and have no engraving or monograms. Both items are just over 27 cm long, the spoon has a teaspoon sized bowl, and the fork has 4 long tines. Both are double struck (pattern on both sides), and interesting to note the spoon end turns down, while the fork turns up. The fork has the "Chevron seam found in Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern flatware" (Forbes, Chinese Export Silver page 65), this is not visible on the spoon. The hallmarks on both items are clear, and include pseudo duty mark, makers mark KHC, pseudo crowned leopards head town mark, and pseudo lion passant. Khecheong was one of the most prolific Chinese Export silversmiths, he worked from Club Street, Honam Island, Canton between 1840 and 1870. He has been described as a "good silversmith" Forbes, Chinese Export Silver 1785-1885, page 255 - a book we highly recommend. A very similar long ...

An Arts & Crafts silver vase stand, made by William Hutton & Sons in 1901, and designed by Kate Harris. The vase holder is cylindrical, with six stylised flower heads angled out of the cylinder, and 3 long pad feet with stylised leaf, and crenulated top. This would have originally contained a Powell green glass vase, unfortunately now missing. The vase is clearly hallmarked with makera mark and London 1901 hallmarks, above registration design mark "Rd 372480". "Kate Harris was Hutton’s leading designer c 1898-1904, based in their London studio, and is famous for her distinctive British art nouveau style". - Source Peartree Collection, which we highly recommend. A complete version of this vase can be seen on the Style Gallery website www.styleantiques.co.uk.

A beautiful Norwegian silver replica of a 17th century figural spoon, which makes an ideal Christening present for a girl. The spoon has a well modelled cast finial of a bust of a female warrior, complete with armour, standing on a pedestal decorated with a feeding bird, masks, flowers and scrolls. The traditionally shaped bowl is gilded, the gilding still well preserved. The quality of this spoon is outstanding, clearly made by a master craftsman, and the condition is excellent. The spoon is hallmarked with makers mark MH and grade 830S, so we can date this spoon to prior to 1920, when Norwegian silversmiths moved to the sterling 925 standard. Marius Hammer (1847-1927) was one of Norway's leading silversmiths, employing 130 staff in 1914, they even supplied the Prince of Wales. In addition to high end souvenirs, they produced replicas of notable Scandinavian silver, including this spoon.

A beautiful set of 6 antique silver oyster forks, with gilded bowls, of outstanding quality and in excellent condition. The forks have a teaspoon shaped bowl, with 3 fat tines, and a cutting edge on one side, although this is not sharp, the bowls are also gilded front and back. The forks have Rococo handles with small flowers and foliage, this is model 195 from the Bruckmann & Sohne catalogue, first produced in 1896. The forks are also engraved with original owners initials GM, this engraving is also incredibly detailed, the work of a master craftsman. The forks are all clearly hallmarked with the German post 1888 crescent and crown, along with 800 standard mark and makers mark of eagle with spread wings. 4 of the forks are also hallmarked with retailers mark "Gutig" for C.F. Gutig of Leipzig, leading jewelers for over 150 years from 1783-1933. Bruckmann & Sohne of Heilbron worked between 1805 and 1968, at the time these beautiful forks were made they were the largest silversmith in Germany. Whilst these beau...

A fabulous Tiffany Sterling silver Indian Chrysanthemum soup ladle, in excellent condition, it does not appear to have seen much use. The pattern is truly beautiful, double struck on both sides, with a vacant cartouche for initials or a family crest (this has never been engraved). The bowl is also fluted and has a scalloped edge. The soup ladle is clearly hallmarked "TIFFANY & Co STERLING PAT.1880.M, the M indicates this is an early piece (the pattern was produced from 1880-1934). This must be one of the most beautiful example of hallmarks, with the design wrapping over and through the hallmarks. The soup ladle weighs over 350 grams, so quite hefty to hold, needless to say the quality is excellent. Indian Chrysanthemum has been described as "one of the most magnificent and celebrated sterling silver designs of the 19th century. Chrysanthemum represents one of the last great designs of the Victorian period" -(www.replacements.com), it was designed by Charles Grosjean. "Master silversmith Charles T. Grosjean jo...

A Dutch silver ribber Hanoverian tablespoon, with interesting hallmarks. The spoon has a pronounced frontal rib, the drop is rounded with a V shaped decoration, and the spoon has original owners engraved initials Ch.I on the back of the spoon, unusually engraved upside down (not sure if this is a Dutch custom?). Six hallmarks are present, all clearly struck and very clear. They include makers mark AI around anchor in shaped punch for Anthonie Janse, who worked in Middelburg between 1787 and 1823 (sources Netherlands Responsibility Marks since 1797, mark 727, and Zeeuw Zilver). The next hallmark is date letter C for 1810, followed by Castle in oval punch, the townmark for Middelburg, only used between 1807 and 1812 during the Kingdom of Holland period (source Voet, Nederlandse Zilvermerken 1445-1951, page 16), so this is a rare townmark. The next hallmark is 10, the standard mark for silver 10 Penningen, also only used 1807-1812, Kingdom of Holland. The 5th mark is crown above co-joined TE, a tax free census m...

An Exeter silver sifter ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an engraved family crest featuring a dog or wolf. The sifter is the traditional shape, with beautiful scroll and cross-hatch piercing. The hallmarks are excellent, and include makers mark JAP, Victoria duty mark, lion passant, castle town mark and date letter gothic C for 1839. James Andrew Page worked between 1833 and 1862 in Plymouth, he died in 1898. In 1862 the business became Page, Keen & Page, which survived being destroyed by bombs in 1941, and merged with Bowdens in 1970. Page, Keen & Page produced interesting silver replica spoons complete with early Plymouth hallmarks.

An antique silver mechanical cheese scoop, made in Berlin, Germany by leading retailers Haller & Rathenau, who were Court Jewellers to both the King of Prussia and Prince Friedrich of the Netherlands. The scoop is intended for soft cheeses, usually stilton, and in addition to its shovel shaped blade it has a mechanical sliding mechanism to eject the cheese off the scoop onto a plate. The slider is oval, matching the shape of the shovel with an overhang, it is held in place securely by 2 silver screws, and has a thumbpiece to operate the mechanism. The handle (which is hollow) is decorated with a twisted rope design, and is engraved with original owners initials H, with the same twisted rope design. The scoop is clearly hallmarked with makers mark "Haller & Rathenau", alongside the mark of the Berlin primary assayer (standing bear and letter L), this mark was used 1854-1863. The scoop also has a Gothic D hallmark for the secondary Warden (L. Th. Wendelboe), who worked between 1854 and 1864. In addition, both t...