A pair of Victorian silver grape scissors, with attractive handle design of symmetrical scrolls and loops. The set is very finely engraved (on the front side only) with a foliage pattern, very intricate, in typical Victorian fashion. The blades are the traditional grape scissor design, with one blade thicker with right angle to accommodate the other blade. The hinge has a silver cover, also engraved, the pin is silver as well. The hallmarks are clear but hidden by the engraving, both arms are hallmarked, including makers mark A&S for Aston and Son of Regent place, Birmingham, Thomas and William Aston ran the business between 1856 and 1861. Henry Aston (we assume another son) took over the business in 1862, it was still operating in 1930 as wedding ring manufacturers (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths, page 18).

An antique Dutch silver lodereindoosje, made in Amsterdam in 1809. The english translation would be vinaigrette, pomander of scent box. The box is in the form of an armoire (kabinet) in traditional shape, with domed lid and shaped doors, decorated with swags and urns, with drawers in the base. The sides and lid are decorated with traditional Dutch scenes, the lid a man with angel alongside tree and horse, the back with a couple in horse drawn cart, and the sides with women churning butter and carrying milk. The base has original owners engraved initials P.V.I., nicely engraved. The hallmarks on the base are clear, and include date letter b for 1809, Amsterdam town mark of 3 crosses without crown (only used between 1807 and 1812 during Kingdom of Holland period). The 3rd mark is 10, the 10 penningen silver standard mark (833/1000), see "Netherlands Responsibility Marks from 1797" page 37, and the 4th mark is makers mark of a heart under device, this mark is slightly worn. This is the mark of Dirk Goedhart, so ...

A lovely Dutch silver sugar sifter in the Empire style, made by Pieter Kuijlenburg in Schoonhoven in 1830. The sifter ladle has a wide oval curved bowl, quite deep, with a beaded rim, and intricate piercing of the bowl. The centre is an eight pointed star, with 8 radiating arrows interspersed with patterned dots, surrounded by a cross and semi circle pattern. The curved, elegant handle has a pointed terminal, it is beautifully engraved with a bright cut pattern, including stems with leaves and flowers. The Empire style is a Neo-Classical revival style, that became popular in France, Belgium and the Netherlands after the rise of Napoleon. The hallmarks include makers mark PKB under kappie for Pieter Kuijlenburg, Lion passant 2nd standard (833 purity), Minerva head duty mark, and date letter script V for 1830 (the date letter struck inside the bowl). Kuijlenburg worked in Schoonhoven as a silversmith between 1818 and 1831, he was born in 1791 and died in 1868, he had 6 children including Adrianus who was also a...

A Cape silver konfyt fork in the Old English pattern, with 3 tines. The fork is hallmarked with makers mark OA in oval punch, this is faintly struck but still visible, between two square devices with 4 dots, these are both clearly struck ( Welz mark 2). Ahlers worked as a silversmith between 1810 and his death in 1827. He married the widow of silversmith Jan Brevis, which may have facilitated his entry into the trade. He was the son of Oltman Alders of Germany, his mother was Dorothea of Bengal, who presumably arrived in the Cape as a slave. His silver is quite scarce.

A 20th Lancers Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Enamel sweetheart brooch. The brooch features the traditional crossed lances with flying pennons, with Royal crown above, LANCERS scroll below and XX in the centre, denoting the regiment as 20th Lancers. The brooch is 15 carat gold, the 2 X's are platinum set with 18 diamonds, all are present. The crown has red enamel, the pennons red and white enamel, and LANCERS blue enamel, all enamel is perfect. The brooch is hallmarked "15 ct & PT.", indicating 15 carat gold and platinum, which was often used in English jewellery from circa 1890 until 1932. Platinum use in jewellery became popular in Edwardian times, 15 carat gold was used between 1854 and 1932, when it was replaced by 14 carat gold. The 20th Lancers was a regiment of the British Indian Army, which saw service between 1921 and 1937. Today both India and Pakistan have a 20th Lancers regiment. This brooch is accompanied by a valuation certificate from Gemlab confirming authenticity of diamonds and that the brooch ...

Two interesting 19th century Spanish silver tablespoons, both with excellent hallmarks. Both spoons are 930 grade, so slightly higher grade than sterling (925). Both spoons are the same pattern, similar to Old English, but with a Continental flavour. The bowls have pronounced tips, no drops are present and the stems are flattened with an elegant oval stem. Both spoons have contemporary engraved initials, JL and I with lots of flourishes. Both spoons have 3 distinct hallmarks, denoting town, maker and assay master. The Barcelona spoon has town mark BAR under Maltese Cross in a domate punch, this mark was used circa 1825 (courtesy of Spanish silver website www.munozarce.com). The assay masters mark is P.FLORENSA, with P.FLO above RENSA. The makers mark is JA CARRERAS for Jacint Carreras. The Palma spoon has town mark M under palm tree in Loboid punch for Palma de Mallorca, this mark was used on large items in the 19th century (Tardy pg 108). The second mark is assay master A FORTEZA, the third mark is maker J 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.

A Military Victorian silver presentation snuff box, with an erotic engraving of an amorous couple hidden away from view on the base. This is a pleasing quality, substantial in size and weight, more of a table snuff box intended for a desk than the portable versions intended for a pocket. The box is rectangular, with raised lid and base, and is casket shaped with engine turned sides. It also has applied cast foliate rims (base, lid and around the presentation panel), these have exquisite detail, overall a very attractive box. The engraved inscription reads "PRESENTED TO GEORGE BOYD ESQr. by the 20th R.R.V. 1863", and is supported by scrolls (note engraving is 18 years later than box was made). The base is engraved with a erotic scene, very finely engraved with loads of detail, this is protected by the base rim, so perfectly preserved. The interior is gilded with a beautiful lemon gold original gilding, it does not appear this box has seen much use. The hallmarks on both lid and base are very clear, maker mark ...

Two Cape silver tablespoons (not a pair), but both in Old English pattern and both by Johannes Combrink. The first has engraved owners initials JM in script, this spoon has excellent hallmarks, makers mark IC and the anchor (Welz mark 25), and a rounded drop. It also has the initials AFDT struck on the back of the stem, we assume another owner. The second has a slightly wider handle, no initials, and very clear makers mark IC (Welz mark 32).

A rare set of Old English Military Thread and Shell pattern (also called Military Shell) tableforks and dessertspoons (3 of each). These are good quality, the forks around 90 grammes each and the spoons over 60. All 6 have an engraved family crest, a raised lion facing right between 2 horns. The pattern has the regular Thread and Shell pattern, double struck (on both sides), but with scrolls instead of shoulders, as with all Military variants (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 117). Pickford describes this pattern as "a rare pattern illustrated in the Chawner & Co Pattern book, Appendix page 218", where the Chawner book shows this pattern, termed as "Military Shell". Pickford did not illustrate a photographic example of this pattern , a further indication of its rarity. The hallmarks on all 6 items are very clear, makers mark GA for George Adams of Chawner & Co, and London date letter P for 1870. In addition, all pieces carry additional journeyman's marks (Y, K, 3 petal flower, O), so the particular silversmit...

An interesting Cape silver snuff box, an unusual convex shape which gives it a lovely feel in the hand and pocket. The box has a part hinged lid, as is usual with this form, with just a slight overlap creating the thumbpiece. The decoration is typically Cape, a 8 petalled flower with wrigglework border, which is extremely well preserved due to the shape of the lid. The box also has original owners engraved initials AWJP, also with wrigglework border. The hinge is also decorated with cross hatch engraving. The original gilt interior is a lemon yellow colour, and the IC makers mark struck in the lid is very clear and distinct ( Welz mark 32). Convex shaped snuff boxes, given the more challenging construction in relation to the rectangular boxes, are rare in the Cape, this demonstrates that Combrink was a master craftsman.

A delightful antique silver Christening present, a child's feeding spoon decorated with a scene from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, depicting Captain Hook, complete with hook and pistol, running away from the crocodile, with the Jolly Roger pirate ship in the background. The handle, which forms a circle (traditional baby feeding spoon), is also decorated with Peter Pan playing his flute, and 2 scenes with rabbits. The detail is lovely, as can be seen in the photos. The hallmarks are very clear, and include a registration number "Rd No 611912", indicating the design was registered to prevent copying by other firms. Levi & Salaman was established in 1870, and was merged into Barker Brothers in 1921 (Culme, Directory Gold and Silversmiths). They were highly regarded, particularly for good quality souvenir spoons. They made a number of variations of these nursery rhyme spoons, including "this little pig (S 1535) and "hey diddle diddle (S120) featured on our website. They also made a "little miss muffet" version.

A fabulous Victorian silver prize medallion, one of the finest we have encountered. The medallion is oval, surrounded by a cast rim of flowers. A silver suspension loop is attached to an ornate scroll. This medallion is large and heavy, the quality is exceptional. Both oval plaques are engraved, the first reads "TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY AWARDED TO G.ERNEST ROSS FOR EXCELLENCE IN CLASSICS", the second reads "PRESENTED BY D. FOWLER ESQ. PROVOST OF TAIN JULY 1899". The hallmarks are small but clear, very well struck. Donald Fowler was Provost (the Scottish equivalent of Mayor) of Tain between 1898 and 1910, he was a chemist by profession.

A Cape silver konfyt fork in the Fiddle pattern, with 3 tines. The fork has the original owners initials PJS, quite quaintly engraved in Colonial style.The fork has excellent hallmarks, they could not be better. They include makers mark MLS and the leaf device, with the veins clearly visible (Welz mark 117). Smith was a Dane who arrived in the Cape as a VOC employee in 1757 aged 35, he died in 1806. He led an interesting life, he married 4 times, and had 10 children.

A set of 6 Irish silver dessert spoons, in the Fiddle pattern with rat-tails, a feature of Irish flatware of the period. The spoons have original owners engraved initials WMH. The hallmarks on all 6 are excellent, and include makers mark IB for James Brady, who worked between 1821 and 1842. The spoons also have the retailer's mark, NEILL, which is very clear on all the spoons. Irish retailers were among the first to mark flatware, early adopters of corporate branding. NEILL was a leading Belfast retailer, first established by Robert Neill in 1803, the firm survived until 1960.

A Danish silver Skonvirke (Arts & Crafts) cream ladle, made by the respected Danish silversmith Evald Nielsen in 1924. The ladle is the No 4 pattern, which has organic flowing scrolls in relief, so quite pleasing to hold. The ladle is hand hammered, with the planish marks visible in the bowl and the stem. The ladle has a flat circular bowl with a narrow lip, about 0.7 cm deep. The ladle is 830 grade silver, as is usual for Danish silver. The well struck hallmarks include "Evald Nielsen" in an attractive script, with "No 4" indicating pattern, date letter "ANNO 1924", the letter "S" surrounded by dots in shaped punch for silver, and "830" in oval punch surrounded by dots for grade of silver. Evald Nielsen worked between 1905 and 1958 from Copenhagen, he designed all his own designs (as opposed to his contemporary Georg Jensen). He won numerous awards internationally, and his silver can be seen in numerous museums, including the Metropolitan in New York, V&A in London, and Kunstmuseum in Denmark. Nielsen produ...

An interesting German silver coin dish, with a German 3 Mark silver coin set in the centre of the circular dish. The coin is a special issue by the city of Hamburg, the front has the Hamburg city armorial (3 turreted castle supported by lions, it has lovely detail), and city motto "FREIE UND HANSESTADT HAMBURG", the obverse has German eagle and "DEUTSCHES REICH 1911 DREI MARK". The bowl is also engraved "UBERSEE-KAFFEE, Hamburg", Ubersee Kaffee (translated Overseas Coffee) was a large German coffee business focussed on the export market, we assume this was a corporate gift. Given the size of their building it must have been a substantial business (see photo). The hallmarks are clear, the German silver half moon and crown used after 1888, 835 standard mark, and a script makers mark von Hafen, for Juwelier von Hafen, a Hamburg Jeweller established in 1902, they still exist today, specializing in jewelry with a nautical theme.

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 collection of 10 sterling silver Royal souvenir spoons. Six spoons have enamel finials, 1 has enamel bowl as well. Six spoons are English, 3 are Canadian and 1 is Dutch. 4 spoons commemorate coronations. The spoons include: 1. Edward VII in commemoration of the Coronation, Westminster Abbey 1902, Birmingham 1901, Henry Griffiths & Sons, Abbey in bowl 2. Edward VII, Birmingham 1901, S Blanckensee & Sons, Edward in bowl, pierced cast Edward handle, gilded, a lovely spoon 3. Victoria Queen and Empress, London 1898, Saunders & Shepherd, imported F mark, gilded 4. King George V, Mary Queen Consort, Crowned at Westminster June 22 1911, Birmingham 1910, BH Joseph & Co, coronation chair in cast handle 5. Elizabeth II, Crowned 1953, Birmingham 1952, Mappin & Webb, coronation hallmark, "Fire Triumphs over Materials" for JK Smit & Sons, diamond drilling company 6. Royal visit to South Africa, King George VI and Queen Mother, South African coat of arms, Dutch dagger hallmark and makers mark for Van Kempen 7. Roy...

An Art Nouveau antique silver mustard pot, complete with original green glass liner. The pot is oval in shape, and has traditional Art Nouveau stylised flowers on the 4 corners, repeated on the lid thumbpiece. The glass pot sits on a circular support, which is also hallmarked (as is the main body and lid). The hallmarks are clear, and include registration mark RD 436134, meaning Walker and Hall registered this design to prevent copying by competitors.