A magnificent and rare pair of silver-gilt Victorian Bacchanalian pattern grape scissors, in excellent condition. The scissors are completely silver gilt (apart from screw), and are completely sterling silver (no steel inserts). They are the traditional shape, and are decorated with the rare Bacchanalian pattern, designed by Stothard for the Royal Goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, originally made by Paul Storr, pieces are still in the Royal collection today. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back is also beautifully decorated, with tilted amphora of wine, bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. Bacchanalian pattern is shown in the book "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where an identical pair of grape scissors is shown, made by Wakely and Wheeler. The hallmarks are very clear, and include makers mark HJL for Henry John Lia...

An extremely rare Cape silver knife, with ivory handle and engraved on the blade "EHM from HOM". The hallmarks are extremely clear, pseudo - English duty mark and castle, with makers mark JML (mark 82 in Welz, Cape Silver). These are accompanied by another mark, some sort of device, unrecorded in Welz. The knife is very well made, good quality and a pleasing weight. The ivory handle shows good texture and a changing colour from dark to light. The knife is extremely rare, being the only known example recorded to date. The leading authority on Cape Silver Stephan Welz said "I have been unable to trace any Cape silver knives" (Cape Silver pg 73), and David Heller said "the only type of silver knife in use at the Cape seems to have been the butter knife (History of Cape Silver, pg 202). Johannes Lotter was part of the highly regarded Lotter family of Cape silversmiths, being the son of Willem and the brother of Carel.

A fabulous set of six Georgian Silver Old English table spoons by Hester Bateman, the most famous of all English female silversmiths. The spoons are bottom marked, and the hallmarks are slightly squashed but clearly visible. The spoons have a double drop. The spoons are excellent quality and are in extremely good condition, this is a lovely set. The spoons also have a interesting family crest, an armoured fist holding a dagger. Hester Bateman took over her husband's business on his death in 1760, and retired in 1790 when her sons, Peter and Jonathan took over the business.

An 18 carat white gold, diamond and enamel sweetheart brooch, for the Intelligence Corps. The brooch has 23 diamonds, 10 each in the supporting laurels either side and 3 in the crown. The brooch has red, green and blue enamel, all in perfect condition. The badge has a Union (or Tudor) rose, red with white centre, underneath the crown of George VI, so we can date this badge to WW II. The rose rests on 2 diamond studded laurel wreaths, above blue "Intelligence Corps" scroll. The brooch is clearly hallmarked 18CT for 18 carat gold, the pin is an identical colour, so we believe it is 18 carat white gold as well. The brooch also has an engraved number 36047, and scratch engraving numbers and letters, these are manufacturers marks. The Intelligence Corps of the British Army gathers, analyses and disseminates military intelligence, it was formed in 1914 at the onset of WW1, and is staffed by mostly officers. During WW2 members were deployed in France as part of SOE, in Africa with the Long Range Desert Group, and at...

A rare Canadian antique silver Ecclesiastical Communion Paten, made by James Langford in Halifax, Nova Scotia, circa 1840. The paten is beautifully engraved with IHS under a cross, enclosed in a sunburst, this engraving is still very clear, with very little wear. The paten is circular, quite small at 8 cm diameter, and sits on a raised circular foot. The quality is excellent, the weight is very pleasing, no expense was spared when this was made. The IHS monogram stands for "Jesus Saviour of Humankind", and is used by various churches, it is also the emblem of the Jesuit order. The hallmarks are also clearly struck and in excellent condition, they have been preserved from wear by a slight indent in the base of the foot. The five hallmarks include a pseudo anchor town mark (copy of the Birmingham town mark, but also referencing the maritime role of Halifax), makers mark JL, right facing lion passant (the British lion passant is left facing), pseudo H date letter (which actually refers to Halifax), and pseudo G...

A fabulous Sampson Mordan silver gilt scent bottle in the Aesthetic style, beautifully engraved with birds, insects, flowers and foliage, with 1 bird sitting on a nest with 2 eggs. The quality is outstanding, and the bottle has been well preserved in it's original silk and velvet lined fitted Morocco leather case. The silver gilt on the exterior and interior are a lovely golden colour, with no wear, we assume this bottle has mostly remained in it's closed box. The glass bottle has the remains of the origianl sponge inside, which could easily be removed. The hallmarks are clear, both on base and bottle lid, the rim is also hallmarked. A very similar Mordan scent bottle can be seen on the www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com website, but without the bird nest. Sampson Mordan became famous for producing high quality, innovative novelty items, many of which are highly collectable today. The firm worked between 1823 and 1941. The motto of the Sampson Mordan company was "Quality lives when price is forgotten" - Sampson ...

A fabulous early Georgian Rococo shell shaped punch ladle, in the shape of a conch shell. The ladle is embossed and engraved in typical Rococo style with a bird (peacock?) eating fruit (grapes and a pear), alongside a brick chimney with flames? at the top, surrounded with scrolls, shells, flowers and leaves. The shape of the shell and quality of the embossing and engraving is very pleasing. The shell is connected to the silver handle base with cast silver scrolls at right angles to the shell, the handle itself is turned wooden handle. The ladle is held hanging vertically, the the shape of the shell and pouring lip makes it very practical to use. The base of the handle is engraved with original owners initials A over T.T. The ladle is hallmarked with London hallmarks for 1752, and makers marks PR for Philip Roker II (Grimwade mark 3754). As all 4 marks are struck on a curved surface they are all unevenly struck, clear on the right but slightly obscured on the left, all visible enough but the makers mark could ...

A fabulous set of 6 Scottish Provincial dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, made by William Ferguson of Elgin, and hallmarked in Edinburgh over 3 different years between 1839 and 1841. The spoons are all engraved with original owners initial W, so clearly a set. The spoons are in excellent condition, with strong tips to the spoon bowls, with no sign of wear or use at all - no dents or scratches, these spoons must have sat in a drawer and not been used. Close examination of the 6 spoons reveals small differences in the size and shape of the bowls, shape of the Fiddle and the shape of the drop, which indicates these spoons were all made by hand. Furthermore, the spoons vary slightly in weight, the lightest is 33 grammes, the heaviest 39 grammes, they average 37 grammes, so a significant variation. The hallmarks on all 6 spoons are also very clear and well struck, they could not be better. They include makers mark WF and ELGIN, alongside Edinburgh hallmarks, 1 is for 1839, 3 for 1840 and 2 for 1841. 2 of the s...

An interesting pair of Indian Colonial silver menu holders, awarded as military trophies by the Viceroy of India. The trophies read "Viceroy's Shield", one is dated 1927 and the other 1930. The holders are in the form of a shield, with a mounted soldier in the centre, surrounded by a highly ornate design of foliage, flowers, bamboo and scrolls. The shields have an attached clip at the back, to hold a menu or nametag at a dinner table, and they stand on a secure rectangular silver base with rounded front. Please note the size and weight of these items, they are larger and heavier than most menu holders we see, the quality is excellent. Both are engraved on the rear with the recipients details, "B" Right Sergt A.H. Greatrex" (he was a Lance Corporal in 1927). Close inspection of the shields shows they are similar but not identical, which leads us to believe they were made by hand, with the silversmith copying a design (presumably the original Viceroy's Shield). Note the slight differences in the soldier, also t...

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 set of 4 George VI Old English pattern dessert forks, made in London by leading makers the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, but with an engraved Ducal crest of the Newton family of Dunleckney, County Carlow, Ireland. The forks are excellent quality and a pleasing weight, and are in excellent condition. The engraved crest of boars head above Ducal coronet (with strawberry leaves) with 2 ostrich feathers is crisply engraved with no wear. All 4 forks have clear hallmarks, including makers mark for Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Limited, based in Regent Street from 1880-1952, when they were incorporated into Garrards, the Crown Jeweller. These forks were made a few years after the death of Capt. Sydney Vesey, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (1873-1932), who inherited Dunleckney in 1927, his widow Edith Blanch Vesey sold Dunleckney in 1942. Note - we have spoons with the same family crest, S11388 and S11389.

A beautiful Georgian silver Fish slice, also called a long oval server, by one of the leading makers of this type, William Plummer. The server is extensively pierced and engraved with a realistic fish, what makes this server exceptional is that the design is repeated on both sides. The fish is surrounded by flowers and foliage, and is surrounded by a narrow engraved band. The quality of the slice, and in particular the piercing and engraving, is remarkable. The blade is flat, narrow, elliptical and symmetrical, the handle is in line, connected to the blade with a split penny boss. The handle is filled, and has a raised beaded pattern that assists the grip. The penny boss is engraved on 1 side with a family crest, a bulls head holding a spear, above a crown, the engraving is crisp and clear. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark W.P for William Plummer, Grimwade mark 3255. In an excellent article entitled "English Long Oval Servers" by Dale Bennett, published in Silver Magazine July 2016, page 20, Ben...

A lovely Victorian silver and enamel vesta case, featuring a seated pug on a red chair, with sky and trees in the background. The enamel is oval, with a twisted rope border, the vesta is rectangular with rounded corners, and a safety ring for connection to a chain. This is a substantial vesta case, larger than the traditional size, and quite heavy in the hand. The striker plate on the base is stamped "SIRUS PATENT", which we have observed on other vesta cases by Horton & Allday, it is a nice size and oval in shape, so easy to use. The rim is clearly hallmarked, including makers mark H&A for Horton & Allday, who worked between 1888 and 1933, they seem to have specialised in vesta cases and boxes.

A delightful sterling silver Christening mug, decorated with the "Three Bears" of Goldilocks fame walking past engraved trees. The mug is fabulous quality, quite heavy, the bears are cast and applied, the detail is lovely. The mug is engraved "Mappin & Webb Ltd, London & Sheffield", and all the hallmarks are excellent. Mappin and Webb was founded in 1859, it still exists today and is one of Britain's most prestigious brands. In addition to Royal Warrants, Mappin and Webb are the Crown Jeweller. The was produced just after the end of World War II, silver was very cheap, items from this period are often heavy and superb quality. One of the nicest Christening presents a baby could hope to receive. Note - we have 2 matching items, a plate and bowl, S 1981 and S1983.

An antique Dutch silver gilt vinaigrette (zilveren lodereindoosje) in the form of an armoire (kabinet). These have also been described as pomanders, scent boxes, and also incorrectly described as snuff boxes and peppermint boxes. The box has a curved shaped front, and the back panel has the impressed words "HE. DAT IS LIEF", translated He that is love", so probably presented as a love token. The armoire has frontal doors with floral decoration, and 3 drawers below, the back and side panels also have floral decoration. The lid has an oval panel with seated figure of justice holding sword and scales, surrounded by a wreath. The base is engraved with original owners initials T:V:V, the base also has a clear makers mark of AK under flower (Adrianus Kuijlenburg of Schoonhoven, 1812 -1816, see Nederlands Responsibility Marks since 1797 no 897). The lid has a Minerva head office mark (duty mark), and the box interior rim has the Lion Passant 2nd purity for 833 grade silver and date letter G for 1816. Loderein comes...

A very rare set of 6 sterling silver shellfish (or lobster) forks, we have never seen another set. The forks have 2 sharp and longer tines, with a third shorter and fatter tine, this tine also has a sharp edge for cutting. The forks are engraved with Gothic initial "B". This very specific design, for a very specific purpose, we believe to be extremely rare, nothing similar is recorded in the book "Silver Flatware" by Ian Pickford, who depicts and describes a great variety of silver eating implements. The forks are good quality, and as mentioned above, in excellent condition - they are so appealing I am tempted to go and purchase a lobster straight away so I can test them! All 6 forks are clearly hallmarked with Sheffield marks for 1931, and distinctive makers mark W&G in wavy topped escutcheon punch (Poole, Identifying Antique British Silver, pg 15), this maker worked between 1907 and 1941, possibly Wilson and Gill (www.britishmakersmarks.co.uk). The original box has the retailers mark "T.S. Cuthbert, Watch ...

A delightful antique silver chamber candlestick, used for lighting one to bed. The chamberstick has a circular drip tray, and an attractive handle with reeded decoration. It has an original conical snuffer, which slots into the sconce, and removable nozzle, which made it easier to clean melted wax. Both the chamberstick and snuffer have a matching family crest of a stags head. The chamber candlestick was made by the important makers Wakelin & Taylor, Royal Goldsmiths who made a great deal of silver for the Prince of Wales, they also produced for the King. The snuffer and removable nozzle were made in 1799 ad 1801 by Joseph Taconet and William Stroud respectively, it was not unusual for the smaller items to be made by other makers. Given the matching crest on snuffer and chamberstick, we believe these to be original. The hallmarks are clear on all 3 pieces. The Wakelin and Taylor makers mark, complete with Fleur de Lys (Grimwade 1764) is excellent, this piece also has the rare incuse duty mark, only used in 17...

A magnificent pair of Victorian silver gilt spoons, with a beautiful figure of a maiden (or Goddess), sculpted with lovely detail. She is full figure, with a long flowing dress with a high slit, with flowers adorning the front. She holds her arms crossed, and has her hair in a bun. The design has a strong Art Nouveau look and feel, these spoons were well ahead of their time when made in 1873. The spoons are very good quality and gauge, very suitable for use as serving spoons for a dessert. The hallmarks are very clear on both spoons. Henry William Curry took over the business of Augustus Piesse in 1868, which he continued until 1889. Of interest is that Curry was in trouble with the Goldsmiths Hall in 1880 in a matter of counterfeiting hallmarks (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 366). Curry has left behind some fabulous silver, top notch quality and beautiful intricate designs, he deserves further study. Henry William Curry's brother Charles John Curry was in partnership with Alexander Crich...

A large size enamel silver engine turned cigarette case, depicting a scantily clad 1940's pin-up girl. The interior is gilt, and is engraved "Brian from Mamie 19th December 1950". Hallmarks are clear, including "Made in England", both sides are hallmarked, even the clasp has a .925 hallmark. W.T. Toghill & Co worked between 1927 and 1951.

A unique collection of 12 early Georgian Hanoverian tablespoons, 8 being George II and four being George III. Sets of flatware from this period are extremely rare, most spoons were made singly or in pairs. All the spoons have clear hallmarks, with visible date letters and makers marks (all but 2 have the makers identified). Five of the spoons are shellbacks, two are scrollbacks, the remaining 5 have double drops. Nine spoons have contempory initials and two have later initials. One spoon has an additional later hallmark JP (John Page, 1900), indicating it may have been repaired at this stage. Identified makers include Thomas Pye, Richard Gosling, Marmaduke Daintry and Robert Sallam.