A rare set of 6 Victorian Military Fiddle Thread antique silver table forks, each over 90 grammes in weight, they have a lovely feel in the hand. The forks have an engraved family crest of a lion rampant, this is crisp and very clear. The hallmarks on all 6 forks are excellent, and include makers marks GA (George Adams) for Chawner & Co, the most important firm of silver spoon and fork manufacturers in Victorian England, known for excellent quality (these fine forks are no exception), See Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, page 82. Military Fiddle and Thread pattern has scrolls instead of shoulders, as do all military variants, this pattern is described by Pickford (Silver Flatware pg 117) as "a scarce variant of the Fiddle Thread pattern, building a service would be difficult".

A set of 6 matching sterling silver golf teaspoons, with embossed crossed golf clubs and ball at the top of each spoon, with reeded border. The spoons are a good quality and weight. Hallmarks are clear on all 6 teaspoons. Walker and Hall were a large and successful firm, they worked between 1882 and 1960.

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.

A pair of antique sterling silver handled sewing scissors, with the sterling handles modeled as 2 snakes with their tails wrapped around their bodies, and steel blades protruding from open mouth. The steel blades have an indent, very similar to that seen on grape scissors, so these could be grape scissors. The steel blades have makers mark triple S around cross. The scissors have 2 sets of hallmarks on both handles, the first original makers mark (eagle device and N), we believe these are Hanau, Germany, possibly Neresheimer, founded 1893. The second set are London import marks for 1900, with F import mark, and importer mark SBL for Samuel Boyce Landeck. Landeck of Campden Town was a known importer of foreign silver from 1891, he died in 1907, his son Boaz Moses Landeck continued with the business.

A Scottish Provincial toddy ladle, made by David Manson in Dundee. The toddy ladle is in the Fiddle pattern, and has original owners engraved initials RG. The ladle has 4 hallmarks, a partially struck D makers mark for Manson, and 3 well struck and clear "pot of lilies", from the Dundee coat of arms. Manson worked between 1809 and 1830, his work is quite scarce.

An interesting antique silver spoon, used as a prize in a rifle shooting competition in Natal (now Kwazulu Natal), South Africa. The stem has the cast inscription "For Making The Possible", the back of the bowl has an applied plaque, the emblem of the Natal Rifle Association. It contains a seated Boer soldier on a horse, with the motto "Semper Parati" (Always Prepared), and the date 1862, we assume the date the association was formed. The horse and rider are well modelled, as can be seen in the photos. Semper Parati is now the motto of the Boy Scout movement, perhaps Baden Powell encountered it during his time in South Africa during the Boer war. The spoon was made by the highly regarded Levi & Salaman, and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1904. We had a similar spoon, S 1563, now sold, with the same NRA plaque, but motto "For making the Bulls Eye".

A set of 4 cast silver and enamel wine labels, for Whisky, Brandy, Sherry and Gin. The labels are rectangular, with an attractive deeply chased scrolling border, the enamel is a deep Royal blue. These are cast, heavy labels, the quality is excellent, the original chains also have heavy links and are great quality. All 4 labels have clear hallmarks, they also have "Made in England" stamps. Turner and Simpson worked between 1912 and 1979 in the heart of the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, they were a large firm but still employed traditional methods. A fascinating series of 27 photographs by Janine Wiedel of the Turner & Simpson workers can be viewed at the following link, http://wiedel.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Jewellery-Quarter-Birmingham-UK-1970s.

A lovely set of 12 sterling silver demitasse or coffee spoons, with baluster finial. The spoon size and shape are nicely balanced, we really like these spoons. The hallmarks on all 12 spoons are clear, including makers mark B&S in serrated punch for Brook & Son of Edinburgh. Brook and Son were leading Edinburgh silversmiths and retailers from 1891 to 1939, they succeeded William Marshall & Sons.

A Georgian silver wine label by Hester Bateman, engraved for Brandy. The label rectangular with a pierced fret dome, this neoclassical design originated in the Bateman studio, and was copied by others, including Susannah Barker and Hampston & Prince in York (Wine Labels 1730-2003, pages 174 and 234). The label has a zig zag feather edge border, raised eyelets, the piercing of the scrolls in the dome is lovely. The label has 2 hallmarks, both clearly struck, makers mark HB in script for Hester Bateman and lion passant. The absence of a duty mark enables us to date the label to before 1784 when the duty mark was introduced, this neoclassical design is thought to orininate around 1770 (Wine Labels page 50).

An Arts and Crafts South African silver hand hammered bowl, made by Kurt Jobst, circa 1950. The bowl is circular, and sits on an applied circular base, the quality and finish is excellent, this is a lovely bowl, quite heavy for its size. The hallmarks are clear, and include his trademark "unicorn" KJ mark, along with "Jobst, Sterling and .925" marks. Jobst was born in Austria in 1905, he served his apprenticeship in Hanau, Germany, his influence was the Bauhaus movement. He emigrated with his family in 1936 from Austria to South Africa to escape Hitler, and became one of Johannesburg's leading silversmiths. He was commissioned by the South African Government to make the official wedding present for Queen Elizabeth in 1947 (a silver box with diamond necklace), he also made silver for Ernest Oppenheimer (cigar box, bowls and dishes). He died in a car crash in 1971 aged 66, in 1977 a book of his work was published. Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Prize winner) wrote the introduction, she wrote that Jobst "gave Joburg som...

A German silver cigarette case, with an engraved horseshoe and riding crop, with a ruby embedded in the horseshoe. The case is 800 grade silver, and has post 1888 German silver hallmarks (moon and crown, followed by 800). The horseshoe signifies good luck, the ruby passion, and the crop is a riding or hunting crop.

A Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with a rare makers mark. The spoon has engraved initials CJP, these are original and Colonial, the P slants at an angle. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark DH in serrated punch, surrounded by 2 circular punch devices, Welz mark 56. The serrated edge was not shown by Welz, but it is shown by Heller Vol II, page 122, mark NMM 19. This is significant as no other Cape silversmith used a serrated edge punch. Daniel Hockly is one of the few Cape silversmiths trained prior to arrival in the Cape, whose work is known from both areas. Hockly trained in London, was registered as a smallworker in 1810, and is known for high quality wine labels (Grimwade mark 470, 473, page 548). He emigrated to the Cape in 1819, one of the "1820 Settlers", he arrived in Algoa Bay (now Port Elizabeth) in 1820 on board the SS Chapman, with 256 other settlers, his wife Elizabeth and 3 children, their 4th child Fanny Chapman was born onboard. The family remained in the Eastern Cape, spending ti...

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 set of three sterling silver tablespoons in the popular Fiddle, Thread and Shell pattern, with engraved Marais Family coat of arms, which is very clear. The spoons are a substantial size and weight, 105 grammes each, the quality is excellent (tablespoons over 100 grammes are rare). The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark D&J W, for Daniel & John Wellby, who worked between 1827 and 1974 from Garrick Street, London. The Marais family coat of arms is described as "Azure, a chain sable fesswise, in chief a crescent reversed and a base of two hills vert" - Pama, Heraldry of South African Families, page 53, depicted on Plate 18, no 280, of the Bell Krynauw Collection. It dates back to Charles Marais of the farm Plasir de Merle, who arrived in the Cape in 1688, and was "murdered by a Hottentot on the farm in 1689". Note - we have other matching items with the Marais Family armorial.

A Royal Navy Sterling silver matchbook case, designed to hold the cardboard folder containing 2 rows of matches. The case is engine turned, with an applied Royal Naval Crown on the lid, the interior is gilded and has 2 wings for holding the matchbook in place. It is great quality, and has a lovely feel in the hand, with the engine turning giving a pleasing grip. The hallmarks are clear, both on the lid and the base, and the base rim is also engraved "Gieves Ltd London" , for the London retailer. Gieves (now Gieves & Hawkes) is a prestigious Savile Row Tailor, established in 1771, they hold numerous Royal Warrants, including the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales. They have long served the British Army, Royal Navy and the Royal family, clients include Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. More recent clients include David Beckham, Bill Clinton and the Braun Formula 1 team (source wikipedia).

A matching antique sterling silver knife, fork and spoon, made as a Christening present. They are dessert size, and in an unusual scrolling pattern, possibly an Onslow pattern variant. This scrolling pattern reminds us of the Auricular style, a 17th century German Mannerism style, rarely seen today. The knife has a pistol grip, the blade is also hallmarked sterling silver. They are gilded with a rich golden colour, this gilding is original. All 3 items are clearly hallmarked, the knife handle has an additional FH makers mark for Francis Higgins, so the knife handle was outsourced. 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 War II.

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 Peruvian sterling silver Arts & Crafts tray, made by Industria Peruana and branded Old Cuzco. The tray is rectangular, and has three separate compartments, so quite practical for serving snacks. It is a pleasing weight, a pleasure to hold and use. The tray has a reeded rim with 6 shells completing the decoration. The tray is clearly hand made, slightly irregular, we really like this tray. It is hallmarked on the base "Old Cuzco Peruana Industria 925".

A Chinese Export silver dessert fork in the Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, one of the most popular Fiddle pattern variants. The fork is excellent quality and gauge, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and Ame...

A rare Victorian silver Paxton pattern silver sugar tongs, in excellent condition. The tongs have the Paxton pattern on both arms, the pattern has a central flower with trailing foliage and flowers, with a Gothic border, and a very different and unusual foliage pattern on the tong bowls. The tongs have a good gauge, excellent quality, as you would expect from Chawner, the top maker of Victorian silver flatware. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co. Ian Pickford, in his book "Silver Flatware", describes the Paxton pattern as "a very rare mid-nineteenth century pattern, named after Joseph Paxton the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition. It is illustrated in the Chawner pattern book, services are very rare, odd pieces may be found, building a service would be extremely difficult" - page 231, where a fork dated 1868, also by Chawner and currently in the V&A museum, is illustrated - see also pg. 219 for Chawner pattern book. Joseph Paxton was al...