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...

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 beautiful matching antique Swedish silver souvenir spoon and fork, with exquisite detail, featuring Stockholms Slott. Both are gilded, and have the Swedish Coat of Arms with red and blue enamel, on an ornate pedestal, with gadrooned stem, and rectangular feature at the base, The spoon bowl features "Stockholms Slott", with fabulous detail, palace, equestrian statue, trees, streetlights and pedestrians. Both are clearly hallmarked, C.G. Hallberg, triple crown national mark, Stockholm town mark and date letters T6 and U6 for 1896 and 1897. The original box, in full working order, reads "H.K.H. Kronprinsens Hof Juvelerare, C.G. Hallberg, Stockholm, Goteborg". Without doubt one of the best quality and nicest souvenir sets we have seen.

Two Georgian silver vinaigrettes, both very small in size, and both by Joseph Willmore. They are very attractive and dainty, less than half the size of most vinaigrettes, we love these boxes. The first (1813) is lozenge shaped, the concave base fits beautifully around the thumb, it is a delight to hold. The cover is engraved with flowers and prick work surrounding initials THC, the base has a different floral engraving. The grille is plain, the interior gilding and hallmarks are excellent. including JW makers mark in circular serrated punch, his first mark used between 1797 and 1834. The second (1821) is rectangular with canted corners, the cover engraved with an attractive wavy pattern around a vacant cartouche, the base with an engraved flower. The grille is also plain, the hallmarks are good, on both lid, base and grille. The corners have some oxidation, but it does not detract. Joseph Willmore, who worked between 1797 and 1843, is described by Eric Delieb as "a superlative silversmith, who produced some o...

A fabulous pair of Canova pattern dessert spoon and fork, which was produced by Chawner & Co. for the Great Exhibition of 1851. They are both fabulous quality and in excellent condition, with some very light wear to the gilding. The set was designed as a tribute to the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova, regarded as one of the greatest Neoclassical sculptors. They feature Canova's "Dancer with Finger on Chin", the original is now in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., but was originally purchased in 1823 from the artist by Charles Stewart (later Vane), 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, when he was based in Vienna as Ambassador to Austria. On the back of the bowls they feature "Sappho with Lyre", the detail on both is very appealing, supplemented with other features (masks, 2 putti with flowers above the dancer, and bird with fruit in its mouth, and a bearded figure), The Sappho figure is surrounded by architectural features, scrolls, shells and foliage, the detail is amazing. Both spoon and fork are clea...

A beautiful Australian Arts & Crafts hand made sterling silver jam spoon, with Geraldton Wax indigenous floral finial, made by of of Perth's leading family of silversmiths, Linton Silver. The spoon has a hand hammered (planished) bowl, triple rat tail drop and a cast silver floral finial, the detail and quality is very pleasing. The spoon are clearly hallmarked, a gum nut symbol in square punch, "ST.SILVER" standard mark and makers mark JAL for Linton Silver, who traded between 1938 and 1978. JAL refers to Jamie Linton, who joined his father's studio in 1920, he remained active until 1980. He trained in Perth, Paris and London, where he studied Central School for Arts & Crafts. He designed the range of Australian indigenous wildflower spoons, which are still produced today by Bethamy Linton, who retails each spoon at $295. Note - We have a matching teaspoons S 11535.

A set of 12 Dutch silver grapefruit spoons (lemoenlepels), all in excellent condition, in original custom made mahogany box with inlaid marquetry on the lid, this is a well made, good quality and attractive box. The spoons were made in Amsterdam in 1807 by Paulus Esink, the spoons are thread pattern, with elongated bowls with sharp tips, and a triangular drop attaching the bowls to the handles. All 12 spoons are clearly hallmarked with makers mark PE, and Amsterdam town mark above date letter Y for 1807, some of the townmarks and date letters have some wear. Paulus Esink worked between 1788 and 1811. The box has it's original key, the lock still works, the wooden lid has a slight warp so you have to push down to enable it to lock. The box has 12 slots on both sides, the spoons fit exactly so cannot move about, this has helped preserve them in such wonderful condition, they could not be better. The spoons are suspended 2 cm above the base, so other items could also be stored in the box. Note - We also have a c...

A lovely Georg Jensen sterling silver cream ladle in the Blossom No 84 pattern, with London import marks for 1931. The ladle is well designed, with a kink in the handle below the flower blossom, which greatly improves the grip and allows for precise pouring. The bowl is planished (hand hammered), and the 2 pouring lips work well. The Blossom pattern No. 84 (Magnolie in Danish), sometimes called Magnolia in the USA, was designed by Jensen himself and introduced in 1919, is "a sculptural design which features a realistic stem and blossom design that appears to grow from the handle. This pattern, perhaps more than any other, demonstrates the sculptural quality that earned Jensen widespread acclaim". - Georg Jensen, A Tradition of Splendid Silver, Janet Drucker, page 267 - a book we highly recommend. The ladle is clearly hallmarked, makers mark GJ with 925 S in beaded circle, above "Denmark Sterling", below pattern number "84". The ladle also has clear London hallmarks, with GS for George Stockwell & Co, who impo...

An Irish Provincial silver serving spoon in the Fiddle pattern, made by Richard Garde of Cork, but hallmarked in Dublin in 1835. The spoon is engraved with original owners initials WMC in script. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark R.G for Richard Garde, who worked from 1822 - 1838 in Broad Lane, Cork. Given it's large size we have classified this as a serving spoon, it is very suitable for use.

An Irish Provincial silver serving spoon made by Richard Garde of Cork, but hallmarked in Dublin in 1835. The spoon also has a rare retailers mark "R. CAVE", who is currently classified as unknown with location unknown, but as this mark has only been seen on silver by Richard Garde we can assume he was a Cork retailer. The spoon is Fiddle pattern with a Rat-tail, which is only seen on Irish silver during this period. The spoon is engraved with original owners initials WMC in script. The hallmarks are all very clear, the retailers mark could not be better. Given it's large size we have classified this spoon as a serving spoon, but it could have been a large tablespoon - it is certainly suitable for use as a serving spoon.

A beautiful set of 6 Australian Arts & Crafts hand made sterling silver teaspoons, with Geraldton Wax indigenous floral finials, made by of of Perth's leading family of silversmiths, Linton Silver. The spoons have hand hammered (planished) bowls, rat tail drops and cast silver floral finials, the detail and quality is very pleasing. The spoon bowls are almost triangular in shape, we have called them teaspoons but given their small size are very suitable for coffee. All 6 spoons are clearly hallmarked, a gum nut symbol in square punch, "ST.SILVER" standard mark and makers mark JAL for Linton Silver, who traded between 1938 and 1978. JAL refers to Jamie Linton, who joined his father's studio in 1920, he remained active until 1980. He trained in Perth, Paris and London, where he studied Central School for Arts & Crafts. He designed the range of Australian indigenous wildflower spoons, which are still produced today by Bethamy Linton, who retails each spoon at $295. Note - We have a matching jam spoon S 11536.