A pair of Victorian silver toddy ladles, in the Old English Thread pattern, made in London for a Scottish family. The ladles have engraved Scottish crests of a hand grasping a dagger issuing from a heart, underneath motto "With Heart and Hand", the engraving on both is crisp and clear (only Scottish motto's are above the crest). The ladles are double struck, with pattern on both sides, and the thread is a double thread. They are good quality ladles, a pleasing weight, and preserved in excellent condition. Toddy ladles are uniquely Scottish, and usually single struck, so this London made double struck pair are unusual. The hallmarks on both are very clear, including makers mark H.H for Henry Holland, an important firm established in 1838 that became Holland, Aldwinckle & Slater, until absorbed into Francis Higgins in 1922. The crest and motto are for the Dudgeon family. A notable Victorian London based Dudgeon business was J&W Dudgeon, a shipbuilding and engineering company, they built blockade runners for the...

A Gold and enamel sweetheart brooch for the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), set on a gold safety pin for attachment. The brooch has the regimental badge, complete with battle honours "ALBUHERA" in white enamel, "ICH DIEN" and "MIDDLESEX REGT" in blue enamel, and the Royal coronet of the Duke of Cambridge in red enamel. The badge also has gold Prince of Wales plumes, and the cypher of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge. The brooch has no hallmarks, but most brooches of this period were 15 Carat gold. The regiment existed between 1881 and 1966, but has battle honours from Albuhera (Peninsular War, 16 May 1811), their nickname was the "Die Hards". They fought during the Anglo Boer War (Relief of Ladysmith), First World War and Second World War, when they were a machine gun regiment. We believe this brooch to be either Boer War or WWI period.

A Scottish Provincial silver Fiddle pattern dessert spoon, by a very rare maker, with excellent hallmarks. The spoon is engraved with initial F in contemporary style, a single initial as is often the case in Scotland. The hallmarks are excellent, well struck and very clear, and include makers mark CT, Gothic A, incuse Fleur De Lys, Gothic A, makers mark CT, for Charles Torchetti, who worked in Aberdeen from 1825 until his death in 1840. In the book "Aberdeen Silver" by Michael Wilson, he is described as a "rare maker, with occasional Fiddle pattern spoons and forks". He was described as a picture framer, optician and looking glass maker in the Aberdeen Trade Directory (Wilson pg 34), he worked from Queens Street. Wilson also notes that Alexander Grant used the same Gothic A and incuse Flear De Lys, and that they came from the same punch, so surmises that Torchetti bought spoons from Grant and applied his own makers mark. The provenance of this spoon is also interesting, it has spent the last 40 years as part...

A fabulous pair of scarce Kings Fiddle Husk tablespoons, of exceptional quality and weight, made by Elizabeth Eaton. These spoons both weigh over 105 grammes each, amongst the heaviest we have encountered. The spoons have the Husk heel, and have no initials or engraving. Kings Husk pattern is a scarce variant of the Kings pattern, the most obvious difference being the omission of the central honeysuckle and a husk shell rather than a concave shell (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 136). In addition there is no shell on the back. It was first produced during the Regency, Paul Storr also produced this pattern. The hallmarks are clear on both spoons, including makers mark EE in a bifoil punch, for Elizabeth Eaton. Eaton inherited the firm in 1845 on the death of her husband William, her son John joined the business in 1854, they sold the business to Henry Holland in 1864. (Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 134). The firm had a good reputation, Elizabeth Eaton exhibited silver spoons and forks at the Gr...

An interesting Georgian silver snuffbox, with Finlayson family interest. The snuff box has an engraved cross hatch design, with 2 intersecting straps, copying an early suitcase or trunk. The snuff box is curved, so would fit snugly in a pocket. The interior is gilded. The straps are very suitable for engraving, and the names of 4 different generations of Finlaysons have been engraved on this one. The 4 names include "John Finlayson Merchant, Canongate 1760, John Finlayson S.S.C. Edinburgh 1824, Thomas B. Finlayson 1862, Mary H. Finlayson 1874". The base is also engraved with owners initials AF 1833, we assume another Finlayson. The script engraving of all 4 names is different, so was engraved at different times as ownership of the box transferred. The first date precedes the age of the box, so we assume the 2nd Finlayson started the tradition. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark ID without pellet (Grimwade 1250), this could be John Douglas or John Death, we assume Douglas as he was a known snuf...

An octagonal silver sparrow beak milk jug, a modern reproduction of a popular 18th century style, circa 1725. It is pitcher shaped, has a scroll handle, and sits on an applied octagonal foot. The base of the sparrow beak has 2 applied balls, completing the design. The jug is a very good weight and quality, as you would expect from Garrards, the Crown Jewellers. In addition to being a very pleasing design, it pours beautifully, so very suitable for use. The hallmarks are excellent, including makers mark "G & Co Ld". Garrards is a very prestigious firm, originally founded by George Wickes in 1722. They succeeded Rundell, Bridge & Co as Crown Jewellers in 1843, and are still based in Regent Street.

A set of 3 Fiddle pattern Cape silver tablespoons, which are notable for their strong colonial feel, being slightly crude in nature, and with hand hammered stems. Each spoon is slightly different, clearly each spoon was made by hand, probably in primitive conditions. The drops are also crude, and have an amateurish feel, perhaps these were made by a novice apprentice? All 3 spoons have pseudo hallmarks, date letter a, date letter B and duty head, with no makers mark. The shape of the outline of date letter B is notched on both sides, making it very distinctive - hence our attribution to Peter Clarke Daniel (mark 41, Cape Silver by Welz). Mark 41 has the 2 date letters (a and B) together, with the duty mark - given the outline and occurrance we are pretty certain the same punches were used, but perhaps not by Peter Daniel himself. Further research is required, as we know Cape silversmiths occasionally interchanged punches amongst one another.

Lovely set of German 800 silver teaspoons, probably produced for a 3rd Reich organisation, of very good quality and weight, with an attractive scrolling border an an unusual crest. The crest is an angel, a young girl in traditional dress with angels wings, holding a shield containing a crown over 2 crossed arrows and circle. We have been informed that this is a Hitler Youth crest, but as this is not our area of expertise we cannot confirm that. We would welcome any views or comments, and hope we are not offending anyone in the event that it is a Hitler Youth crest. The hallmarks are clear, makers mark HTB, actually H hammer B, for the Hanseatische Silberwarenfabrik AG of Bremen, Germany. It was founded by 2 Bremen jewellers, Brinkmann & Lange, and produced flatware between 1933 and 1937, when it was absorbed into Wilkens. They were approved suppliers to the German 3rd Reich, RZM mark no. 241 of the NSDAP, and are known to have supplied a number of different military organisations.

Unusual and beautiful Fiddle pattern serving spoon and fork. The spoon bowl is an unusual oval shape. Forks of this size are rare, serving sets even more so. Beautiful stags head crest and clear hallmarks.

A magnificent silver beaker, decorated with 10 silver staves, which in addition to being decorative greatly improve the grip. It is extremely good quality and weight, and a pleasure to hold. The base is engraved "Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co, Regent St, W", and the hallmarks are clear. The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths company existed from 1880 to 1952, when it was absorbed into Garrards, the Crown Jewellers. Given it's date of 1916, we imagine it was used for water or whisky by an officer in the Great War. This beaker is a replica of a medieval beaker dated 1496 (Henry VII), that used to belong to Cardinal Wolsey. It is featured in an advertisement for Alexander Clark Co Ltd of Oxford Street, London, priced at 3 pounds 10 shillings, that appeared in The Connoisseur magazine of July 1912, which advertised reproductions of historical and classic cups, including the tudor bowl and cup, and Pompeii jug. High quality reproductions of famous silver items were popular in the early years of the 20th century, they ar...

An Iona sterling Silver Prioress Anna Disc and Shield brooch, made by Alexander Ritchie of Iona, one of the most respected and sought after Scottish silver jewellers of the 20th century. The brooch is a classic Ritchie design in Celtic Arts & Crafts style, a convex shield with Celtic cross, and central knotwork boss. The 4 arms feature a copy of the stone effigy of Prioress Anna Maclean of Iona, the central boss reads "Prioress Anna - Iona". The original stone carving of Prioress Anna is still visible on Iona. The brooch is cast, the pin is in full working order, and the original safety pin chain is still intact and working. The hallmarks are worn, makers mark AR is just visible, as is "IONA" which is legible but worn. A second AR and IONA is present but badly worn. No date letter or townmark is present. We assume this means this was an early Ritchie piece, made before he started using the Chester assay office in 1910. A registration number (to protect the design) is clearly visible, Rd No 664083. Alex Ritc...

A collection of 10 sterling silver rifle shooting trophy and Boer War souvenir spoons. Five spoons have enamel finials, 8 spoons are shooting trophies and 2 spoons are Boer War. The spoons include: 1. P.E.R.C. (Port Elizabeth Rifle Club), E.F. Wilson, 103, enamel shooting range (round medallion), Birmingham 1928, Birmingham Medallion Company, gilded 2. P.E.R.C. (Port Elizabeth Rifle Club), E.F. Wilson, 1927, 100, enamel bulls eye, gilded, crossed rifles, Birmingham 1925, Birmingham Medallion Company 3. & 4. - Toll Gate Miniature Rifle Club, enamel finials with twisted stems, Birmingham 1912, William James Dingley, both engraved "Won by" 5. Man at Arms Competition, Lovely shooting soldier handle, Birmingham 1912, William James Dingley, engraved "Won by EF WILSON PET GRC, score 98, 18 Jan 1913 6. & 7. - Rifle Club, crossed rifles, Birmingham 1909 and 1911, Elkington & Co, engraved "D Coy CP Rifles and A Coy PWCRCPR", nice quality 8. Bloemfontein Rifle Club (English and Afrikaans), City armorial, gilded, B...

An unusual silver table bell, with cast silver handle of 2 young boys (cherubs or putti?), one holding the other upside down by the ankles. The casting has lovely detail, as can be seen in the photographs. The bell is quite heavy, and is good quality, with a clear ring. The clanger is also hallmarked silver. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark JS, which appear to over strike another mark, so possibly JS is a retailer. We would welcome opinions on the significance of the cherubs, thank you.

A silver quaich of traditional shape, with 2 flat lug handles, and quite a large size. It is quite plain, which accentuates its lovely shape. The base is engraved "H.H. Plante, 12 Bury St, St James, S.W.", and the hallmarks are very clear. Quaiches are traditional Scottish drinking vessels, one's this size were passed around at ceremonial occasions. They are popular christening gifts in Scotland. The firm of H.H. Plante (Henry Hudson Plante) worked between 1907 and 1980.

An early antique silver trefid spoon, preserved in excellent condition, and with good hallmarks. The spoon is the traditional trefid shape (also called Pied de Biche, as the style originated in France), and has a lovely reeded rat-tail, which is quite rare. The spoon is engraved with contemporary initials "K * M", engraved correctly on the back of the spoon. The spoon is good quality, and has a lovely feel. The hallmarks include makers mark DO in diamond shaped punch with Fleur de Lys above and below. This mark belongs to Dorothy Grant (Grimwade 3591, Jackson pg 136, under 1680). Dorothy Grant was the widow of William Grant, she worked until 1712, both her sons Benjamin and William apprenticed under her (Grimwade pg 527). Other marks include crowned leopards head (worn), lion passant and date letter O for 1691, which is very clear. Note: We had originally ascribed this mark to John Downes (Jackson, pg 155, Wyler, pg 145, Grimwade pg 46), but this mark is clearly in a diamond rather than circular punch used by...

An early James II silver trefid spoon, by one of the "First Fifteen" London spoonmakers (1580-1697), as identified by Tim Kent in his book "London Silver Spoonmakers". The trefid spoon has a ribbed rat-tail, and is prick engraved "M.P over C.G", indicating this spoon celebrated a marriage. The engraving is delightful, and is contemporary. The spoon is in lovely condition, well preserved given it's age. The makers mark is superb, very clearly struck and perfectly preserved, it could not be better - easily as good as the example illustrated by Kent (pg 36), taken from the original copper plate preserved by the Goldsmiths Hall. This is Thomas Allens' pre 1697 mark. It has 3 pellets above, and a rose below, all clearly visible. The other hallmarks are visible but worn, the crowned leopards head for London, and date letter h for 1685. The lion passant is just visible, but very worn. Thomas Allen was apprenticed to John King (another of the First Fifteen) in 1668, and freed in 1675 (Grimwade pg 422). He was a speci...

A lovely Georgian silver basting (or serving spoon) by Hester Bateman, the most famous 18th century female silversmith, she has also been described as the "Queen of British Silversmiths". The spoon is Old English pattern, and is engraved with a family crest of a crowned lion breathing fire, this is very clearly engraved. The hallmarks are very clear, they could not be better, and include makers mark HB in script, this mark was used from 1778 to 1790. All the hallmarks have very clear detail, you can see the hair and collar on the duty mark, fringes on the lion passant legs and mane.

An interesting Georgian silver wine label, engraved for PORT, with counterfeit hallmarks for London 1814, made by Thomas Robinson, who was convicted for selling counterfeit items in 1822 and transported to Australia in 1823, never to return. The label is rounded rectangular form, with a hob-nail cut border, a domed surmount which is engraved with a leaf and scrolls, incised for PORT. The label has 4 hallmarks, a very blurred duty mark, a slightly blurred lion passant, a very clear date letter T and a partial makers mark TR in oval punch, the T is clear but only the top of the R is visible. Two very similar labels, but engraved for Noyeau and Shrub, are depicted in the article "Mr Robinson's conviction for counterfeit marks", by Bruce Jones, Silver Society Journal 23, 2008, pages 107-110. This fascinating article shows 4 wine labels by Robinson, and compares genuine hallmarks of the period with those used by Robinson, leaving no doubt they are counterfeit. The article shows the same counterfeit date letter T h...

An interesting Sampson Mordan silver sovereign case, with a unique British registry design number which shows us that Mordan felt it was worthwhile to protect the design from being copied. The case is circular with flattened sides, similar in shape to a fob watch case, with concentric rings getting smaller to the centre, which gives a pleasing texture to the case. A central circular cartouche is on one side, this has not been engraved. The case opens by pushing the fob ball, this has a suspension ring for attachment to a fob chain. The case is clearly hallmarked, both on the exterior and inside the lid, the suspension ring is also hallmarked. The interior hallmarks also have registry design number Rd. 45122, which is clearly struck. Sovereign cases were made to store (and show off) British 22 carat gold one pound sovereigns, which were first produced by the Royal Mint in 1817. They were used in circulation until 1914, and now are regarded as bullion coins. Sampson Mordan became famous for producing high qua...

A Scottish Georgian silver Fiddle pattern tablefork, made by James McKay in Edinburgh in 1812, accompanied by a smaller Fiddle pattern preserve fork made in Edinburgh 1814. Both forks are by the same maker, and both have the same engraved family crest of a Griffin with a key in it's beak, so clearly they originate from the same set. The smaller fork is quite a bit smaller than the tablefork, hence our belief it is a preserve fork rather than a dessert fork. The engraved crests on both forks is crisp and clear, but careful comparison shows some small differences in engraving, so we believe different engravers were involved. The crest is described as "A Griffin's head erased, holding in it's beak a key" - this is the crest of the Kay family, Fairbairn's book of Crests (1905) refers to the Kay's of Sunderland, Durham and North Shields, Northumberland. It is interesting to note the silversmith is McKay, so the purchasers supported a branch of the family. Both forks are clearly hallmarked, makers mark JMc, Edinbur...