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 set of 6 Prussian silver teaspoons, made in Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland. The spoons are a lovely shape, with long elegant pointed terminals and elongated bowls, more similar to grapefruit or fruit spoons, or lemoen lepels in Dutch. The spoons have bright cut engraving, designed to reflect in candle light, and cartouche for initials. The original owners prick engraved initials G.V. J are very faintly visible. The spoons have 3 hallmarks, most marks are clear, some partially obscured. They include Danzig town mark (2 maltese crosses below crown) in irregular shield, used between 1790 and 1799, makers mark JGS in script, and a large cursive E, we believe this is the assay master mark rather than a date letter, all suggestions welcome. We have identified a Danzig silversmith Johannes Gottlieb Stegmann whose makers mark was JGS, he worked between 1772 and 1804, but his published mark (www.agraart.pl/silver), is different, not the script style as here, so it is possible we have mis-identified the silversmith, all...

A rare Irish Provincial teaspoon in the Fiddle pattern, made in Cork by Samuel Green circa 1800, with a very rare Irish retailers mark. The teaspoon is quite long with a narrow bowl, and is hallmarked with incuse makers mark SG for Samuel Green, incuse STERLING guarantee mark, and retailers mark L.O.H in a rectangular punch, which is believed to be for Laurence O'Hagan, a watchmaker and presumably retailer in Limerick. Laurence O'Hagan, Watchmaker appears in the Hibernian Journal in 1791 on his marriage to Miss Quinn and again in 1804 on his marriage to Miss Bryan (source Silver Forums at 925-1000.com, on the Limerick and Irish Retailers marks pages). All the hallmarks are clear, especially the retailer mark, the G from STERLING is only partially struck. Irish provincial silver is quite rare, and often the hallmarks are worn or poorly punched, so this spoon is a nice example. Cork did not have an assay office, so the silversmiths adopted an unofficial STERLING mark to denote the 925 quality standard. This i...

An interesting and practical silver double stamp case, with a twin stamp compartment that swivels into a rectangular case, for easy access and carrying. The case has an engraved linear design, and ring attachment for attachment to a Albert chain. The interior compartment swivels on a pin, has a pin and hole clasp to hold it shut, and a thumbpiece for easy opening, an ingenious design. The box is clearly hallmarked, but the makers mark J&W is worn. The box is also stamped "PAT APPd FOR 18816", which indicates the makers had applied for a patent to protect their design. One of the most practical stamp cases we have seen, we really like this box.

A lovely pair of octagonal silver trencher salts, these are replicas of a highly desirable early Georgian style, circa 1720. The salts have gilded interiors, the gilding is in very good condition. The salts are really good quality, a very pleasing weight, and they both have clear hallmarks. High quality replicas of earlier styles were quite popular in the early part of the 20th century. These are almost an exact copy of the pair depicted in the "Price Guide to Antique Silver, Peter Waldron, pg 103, number 303. William Comyns & Sons is an important firm of manufacturing silversmiths, established in 1859 and still in existence today (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 93). William died in 1916, his son Charles Comyns died in 1925 while attending a Christies auction (so dedicated until the end!). An advert of 1923 recorded "Reproductions from the Antique a speciality". William Comyns & Sons also made all the coronets for the Queen's coronation (V&A website), they also hold over 30 thousand silver...

Small Liberty cymric bowl set with turquoises, probably designed by Archibald Knox. Knox was renowned for his use of semi precious stones with silver.

A Victorian silver "Mr. PUNCH" pin tray, small and dainty but with a lot of detail in the design. This design was originally used in 1849 on Punch Magazine, the artist was Richard Doyle (Punch magazine was first published in 1841, some commentators refer to this picture as from the first edition, which is incorrect). The tray is rectangular, with a shell and scroll border, embossed with "PUNCH" above Mr. Punch painting his dog Toby, surrounded by 17 different figures (monkeys, a group of musicians, and someone riding a donkey, even a devil popping out of a cornucopia!). The easel between Punch and Toby is not clear on the front, but can be clearly seen on the back of the tray, we suspect the die was worn when this was produced, rather than wear since then. The tray is stamped out of quite thin silver, and was clearly mass produced as a novelty for the Victorian market where the "Punch and Judy' show was very popular. The hallmarks are clearly struck at the base of the design, including makers mark CSFS for C...

An interesting 9 carat gold bar brooch, featuring a well modelled monkey sitting on bamboo, holding a stack of gold coins in his hand. The detail is lovely, the monkey's tail wraps around the bamboo. The brooch also has a gold safety chain with coat hanger hook, to prevent the brooch being lost. The brooch is clearly hallmarked "9Ct" for nine carat gold. This is a well made brooch with fine detail, the addition of the gold safety chain reminds us of gold brooches made in London in the first half of the 20th century. A monkey holding gold coins is considered by some as a lucky monkey, a symbol of prosperity and wealth.

An interesting Indian Colonial silver menu holder, awarded as a military trophy by the Viceroy of India. The trophy reads "Viceroy's Shield 1926". The holder is 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 shield has an attached clip at the back, to hold a menu or nametag at a dinner table, and it stands on a secure rectangular silver base with rounded front. It is engraved on the rear with the recipients details, "B" Right L/Cpl. A.H. Greatrex". The shield is hallmarked "JB&Co, Silver". the mark is legible but not clearly struck. We believe this to be the mark of J. Boseck & Company, which was established in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1922, and still exists today. J. Boseck & Company are known as manufacturers and retailers of high end gold and silver products in India, in fact they supplied the watch presented to Sir Edmund Hilary after he successfully climbed Mt Everest in 1953. They started as an Anglo Indian fi...

An interesting set of 3 Witwatersrand Agricultural Society Rand Easter Show Sterling Silver Medallions, all presented to J.B. (Barry) Orpen, of Bar Circle Brahmans, in 1961, 1962 and 1964. The first 2 were awarded to "J.D.H. Lady Jake Manso for Champion Brahman Cow/ Heifer", the 1964 was awarded to "Bar Circle 3/61 for Reserve Champion Brahman Cow/ Heifer". All 3 are well preserved in their original boxes, all marked W.A.S. on the lid, one with RMP on interior, the others with SAM interior (Royal Mint Pretoria became South African Mint in 1941, so possibly a replacement box). This medallion is described by Laidlaw as number 0144c (www.southafricanmedals.com, a site we highly recommend)he describes "Obverse: Horse, cow and calf, sheep and pig in a field flanked by sheaths of corn, behind on right, vintage car and steam engine, in the distance mine head works and chimney, radiant sun on the horizon. Legend on a ribbon above: "WITWATERSRAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY" with two small crosses at the top on each side. At...

An interesting antique Indian silver spoon, beautifully decorated with highly intricate designs, hence our attribution tp the Kutch region. The spoon is a pleasure to hold, soup spoon in size but could also be used as a small serving spoon. The handle is hollow, the dome shaped finial, with pierced sides, was made as a separate piece. The repousse decoration is very fine, clearly made by a master craftsman, it features scrolls, pillars and leaves, the finail has gadrooning as well. The bowl is also lovely, scrolls linking to handle, and a triangle and circle design around the rim. Of particular interest is that this spoon is hallmarked with maker mark DAC, on the front of the bowl rim, and another indistinguishable mark in the same place on the other side of the bowl, very easy to miss amongst the decoration. We would welcome assistance with the identification of this maker.

A beautiful Kutch Indian silver salver, wih stunning decoration, clearly made by a master craftsman. The salver has a central boss which is unengraved, surrounded by a typically Kutch style repousse (embossed) foliate design, with flowers, rims of leaves and gadrooned borders. This has hundreds of individual punch marks, so clearly made by hand. The central portion is surrounded by a pierced border, with more scrolls and flowers, and an additional cast applied border, also of scrolls, in addition to being extremely decorative this also strengthens the rim and provides grip. The rear of the salver clearly shows the repousse work, and where the cast rim has been soldered on. No hallmarks are present, as is usual for Indian silver of this period. These small salvers were used by servants to present visitors calling cards, or to serve a small drink (for example sherry). A very similar salver, made by the reknowned Oomersi Mawji, can be seen on the website "Indian Silver from the Raj" by Harish Patel, see http://s...

A set of six sterling silver teaspoons, made in 1952 and carrying the coronation hallmark used to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, The spoons are an unusual pattern, with Fiddle pattern style shoulders, notched finial (2 corners cut away), and 4 engraved bands between notches, overall an attractive pattern. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.

An early Keswick School of Industrial Arts silver caddy spoon, instantly recognisable as Keswick from its distinctive arts and crafts design and finish, with planished bowl, fish tail handle and mock rivet punches. The Keswick silver hallmark was only registered in 1905, so this is one of their earliest silver spoons. Close inspection shows the rivets are not evenly spaced, so clearly struck by hand. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark KSIA in oval punch. The Keswick School of Industrial Arts was established in Keswick, Cumberland in 1884 by Canon Rawnsley, Vicar of Crosthwaite and Canon of Carlisle, and his wife Edith, as a metalwork class following the teachings of John Ruskin and William Morris. Many famous artists, including Harold Stabler and Leslie Durbin, were part of the faculty. Hand finished metal work proved a difficult competitor to machine finished work and the School closed in its centenary year, 1984. Although they produced furniture and furnishings, it is for their metalwork t...

An interesting set of 6 Danish silver coin bowls, each with a different 2 Kronor Danish coin. The bowls have a textured gadrooned rope border, and sit on a small circular foot that protects the coins. The bowls are 830 standard silver. The coins range in date from 1875 to 1958, and include: 1. Christian IX 1875, 2. Christian IX 1903, 1863-1903 , 3.Christian IX / Frederik VIII 1906, 4. Christian X 1870-1930, 5. Christian X 1912-1937, 6. Frederik IX Princesse Margrethe 1958. All 6 bowls are clearly hallmarked "SKAARUP 830S". Jacob Skaarup worked in Copenhagen between 1927 and 1948, given one of the bowls is 1958 we assume the business carried on beyond 1948.

Two interesting pairs of sterling silver wine labels, we have grouped them together as they are almost identical in style and we believe they were made by the same maker. All the labels are kidney shaped, and have a double reeded border. The first pair are gilded, chains are also gilded, the chains are shorter on this pair. They are engraved "Tia Maria" and Mandarine", both names are unrecorded in the book "Wine Labels 1730-2003", although "Mandarinette" is recorded. The second pair are engraved "Chartreuse" and "Kirsch", the engraving has black fill, the chains are longer on this pair. All 4 labels are hallmarked "925" indicating sterling silver, no other marks are present.

A rare sterling silver cooks measuring spoon, we have not encountered one of these before. The spoon has the traditional measuring spoon shape, with circular spherical bowl and long flat handle. The spoon has an interesting triple rat-tail joining the bowl to the handle. The hallmarks are on the front of the spoon, and are well struck, they could not be better. The detail on the sterling lion passant and London town mark leopards head is fantastic, please see the photographs.

An interesting pair of Cape Silver Old English pattern teaspoons, by the rare maker J De Jongh. The spoons have a Continental feel, with a rounded drop and strong overhang at the end of the spoons. They are stamped with full makers mark "J.DE.JONGH" (Welz mark 43, pg 148, Cape Silver), and are also stamped with initials IFP, the initials here being individually struck, as can be seen from their irregular pattern. Welz provides no details for De Jongh, saying only it appears on silverware as though it was a makers mark. David Heller (History of Cape Silver, pg 77) refers to De Jongh as a "seldom found" maker, indirectly connected to the Lotter family (relation of Hendrik de Jongh, married to Johanna Combrink in 1795, sister to silversmith Johannes Combrink). The initials IFP are retailers marks for Johan Frederik Pollnitz, of the firm Wagner & Von Pollnitz, who retailed silver amongst other goods from Longmarket Street between 1837 and 1847 (Morrison, The silversmiths and goldsmiths of the Cape of Good Hope, ...

An interesting Irish Silver dish commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising (Irish: Eiri Amach na Casca), also known as the Easter Rebellion or Sinn Fein Rebellion. The dish is circular with a scalloped edge, and contains a sterling silver medallion, with the burning Post Office "AIS EIRI na CASCA", 1916-1966. The back contains 7 signatures who were the signatories of the proclamation, all were executed by the British. They include: Tom Clark, Sean MacDermott, Thomas MacDonagh, Padraig Pearse, Eamon Ceannt, James Connolly, Joseph Plunkett. All were members of the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Their graves in the former military prison of Arbour Hill in Dublin is now a National Monument. The dish has 5 hallmarks in the bowl, including maker's mark RISL for Royal Irish Silver Limited, Hibernia, Harp Crowned, date letter Y and the Sword of Light 1916-1966 Jubilee mark, only used in 1966 to celebrate the anniversary. The medallion is also hallmarked, including mak...