A novelty pincushion of a chick, with original pincushion intact, and generally in very good condition. The chick is realistically modelled with fine detail and is good quality, as is usual for items made by Sampson Mordan. The hallmarks are very clear, including makers mark SM&Co.

A set of 6 Art Nouveau silver buttons, with a typical Art Nouveau style female head with long flowing hair. The detail is good, and the hallmarks are clear on all 6 buttons. The buttons are still in their original fitted case, which is intact and in working order, but scuffed on the outside and faded and worn in the interior.

An exceptionally large Danish serving spoon, the largest we have ever seen. The spoon is Fiddle and Thread pattern, and has an hourglass shape. An attractive stylised design is engraved on the back of the handle. The hallmarks are clear, being the Danish Copenhagen towers with 89 underneath (indicating 1889), the makers mark ROST and the assaymasters mark (SG entwined) for S. Groth, who was in office from 1863-1904. This is a good solid spoon, ideal for regular use, especially if you are feeding an army!

A set of Indian Colonial silver Dessert spoons in the Fiddle pattern, with rare hallmarks from little known Calcutta goldsmiths. 3 spoons are by RS and 3 are by BG (both makers are listed but unidentified by Wilkinson in his book "Indian Colonial Silver"). The hallmarks are clear but a little worn, BG with tally mark 14 (Wilkinson, pg 27) and RS with the Fish tally mark (Wilkinson, pg 116). Tally marks are thought to be the mark of the indigenous workman who finished the piece. The tally mark 14 also appears on silver from Twentyman & Co. This set was probably put together when new in Calcutta circa 1830, as they all have the same initials DI, exhibiting some wear. Given the differential wear to the bowl tips, we can only assume that the 3 by BG are softer, higher grade silver than the 3 by RS.

Interesting double lidded snuffbox with trellis and diaper engraving and a crest, by well known silversmiths. Both the box and both lids are clearly hallmarked.

A pair of Scottish Arts and Crafts silver napkin rings, with a wonderful planished (hand hammered) surface. The rings are a very pleasing quality and weight, and the condition is excellent. Both rings are clearly hallmarked with small hallmarks on the interior, one is 2003, the other 2006 but they match perfectly. The are also marked "STERLING 925". The rings are accompanied with original box marked "Eric N Smith Goldsmith Designer". Eric Smith was an award winning designer and Jeweller, based in Glasgow for over 50 years until his retirement in 2018. He also completed a project to restore the Glasgow hallmark in 2013, which had not been used since 1963.

A pair of Scottish sterling silver Millenium napkin riings, elliptical in shape, with the Millenium hallmarks struck as part of the design. The rings are good quality and a very pleasing weight, and do not appear to have been used. The hallmarks have been arranged around the special 2000 cross hallmark, used to celebrate the millenium. Eric Smith was an award winning designer and Jeweller, based in Glasgow for over 50 years until his retirement in 2018. He also completed a project to restore the Glasgow hallmark in 2013, which had not been used since 1963.

A fabulous pair of Garrard silver napkin rings, of exceptional quality and weight, amongst the heaviest we have encountered, at 85 grammes each (3 ounces each). They are plain, and are engraved with a family armorial and motto "FUGIT", which translates as "It passes". The armorial has 2 parts, the first 3 nags (or horses) heads, with 3 stars and crescent moon, the second a sunflower on barred background (indicating a marriage between 2 families). The napkin rings are perfectly preserved in original box, which reads "By Appointment to HM THE QUEEN, Goldsmiths & Crown Jewellers, Garrard & Co Ltd, 112 Regent Street W1". The hallmarks are very clear on both rings. The arms are those of the family of Borwick impaling Sola, described as "Argent three escarbuncles fesswise sable between three bears' heads erased of the last muzzled or a crescent for difference (Borwick), and Azure a sunflower proper (de Sola)". The armorial commemorates the marriage of The Honourable George Borwick (1922-1994) to Ester Ellerman (nee...

A fabulous and interesting Royal silver souvenir spoon, commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The detail, quality and condition are exceptional, we love this spoon. The bowl depicts the coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey in 1838, it is a faithful copy of the famous painting by Sir George Hayter, which the Queen herself commissioned and was delighted with, now in the Royal collection. Both the front and back of the handle are richly decorated, the front with a bust of the Queen below crown, above "Peace Commerce" above 2 ships (the naval ship HMS Thunderer), above "Electricity", represented by Greek mythology messengers Iris and Hermes next to a telegraph pole. Below "Rifle Volunteers" with soldiers being inspected by Britannia, above "Steam" above a detailed steam locomotive, above "Penny Postage" and a mailman. The rear has crossed Royal flags with rose, shamrock, leek and thistle, above the Order of the Star of India, with motto "Heavens Light Our Guide", above a Royal ...

A set of 4 Queens (also called Rosette) pattern egg spoons, 2 made by William Chawner in 1825 and the other 2 by George Adams in 1870 (of Chawner & Co.). The 4 spoons match perfectly, double struck with honeysuckle heel. All four spoons have the same engraved family crest, a leopard with whiskers above a a coronet, so belonged to the same family, but the crests were engraved at different times (so we assume the 1870 spoons were added to the earlier set). The spoons are fabulous quality, just over 30 grammes each, a pleasure to hold and use. The egg spoons have the traditional shovel shaped bowls with distinct shoulders, where they meet the stem, so quite different to teaspoons. The bowls are gilded, as is usual for egg spoons, to prevent corrosion from salt associated with egg. The hallmarks are clear on all 4 spoons. Queen's pattern is similar but heavier to Kings pattern, the shell at top front is convex (Pickford, Silver Flatware, page 124).

A Brittannia 958 standard silver miniature fish eagle, complete with fish in it's talons. The eagle is realistically modelled, with lovely texture and detail. It is hallmarked 958, indicating Brittania standard grade, so purer than sterling. It stands freely without a base. Stylistically it is quite similar to those produced by Patrick Mavros, so perhaps done by one of his apprentices, almost certainly from Zimbabwe or South Africa where fish eagles are located.

A sterling silver caddy spoon, with the engraved armorial of the South African Mint (Suid-Afrikaanse Munt). The spoon is substantial, a pleasing weight and good quality. The armorial has the coat of arms of the Union of South Africa (1910-1961), with the symbols of the 4 provinces (Hope with Anchor for the Cape, 2 wildebeests for Natal, orange tree for Orange Free State, and wagon for Transvaal), with motto "Ex Unitate Vires", translated Union is Strength. This is surrounded by 2 wreaths with South African Mint in both English and Afrikaans (the 2 official languages at the time), a building which we think could be the SA Mint building, and strangely a small armorial which appears to be the old Transvaal Republic coat of arms. (explanations welcome!). This spoon is identical in shape and form to the caddy spoon produced by the Pretoria Royal mint between 1923 and 1941, (see examples on our website, S1362 and S 1652), when the Mint became the South African Mint, with the armorial replaced to reflect the change ...

A Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) silver pendant by the famed Murrle Bennett & Co. The pendant is hammered silver, set with a turquoise cabochon, flanked by eight studs and four cut out scrolls. The pendant has the MB&Co makers mark, and 950 standard mark (incuse). Murrle Bennett was founded by Ernst Murrle and JB Bennett, they specialised in high quality but reasonably priced jewellery in the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) style. They were London based, but production took place in Pforzheim, Germany. They had their own catalog and shop, but also sold through Liberty & Co.

A lovely Irish soup ladle in the Fiddle pattern, with an attractive, naive tulip crest. The handle is beautifully curved, so much that the top of the handle is at right angles to the bowl, which makes holding this ladle a pleasure. The bowl, which is quite large, is shaped with high edges which assists pouring the soup out of the ladle. The hallmarks are very clear. Sawyer worked from Fishamble Street from 1797 - 1812, when he died - meaning this ladle was one of his last works.

An interesting sterling silver wine taster, made to commemorate 1000 years of English Monarchy between 973 and 1973. The taster is circular, set with a cast replica coin featuring King Edgar the Peaceful, with inscription "EADGARRE" between two maltese crosses, and head and shoulders of the King. The taster also has a fabulous cast silver handle, rectangular in shape with circular cut away, the handle is textured with a sun ray pattern, both top, bottom and sides, this has a lovely feel in the hand. The taster also has a circular foot, and engraved crown above 1000 and the dates 973-1973. It is a good weight and size, it holds 175 millilitres, so is a good size. King Edgar the Peaceful was crowned at Bath in 973, it was the first British coronation ceremony, other British Kings pledged allegiance. He strove successfully to unite the English and Danes, he also recalled St Dunstan from exile and made him Archbishop of Canterbury. The hallmarks are clear, including makers mark GGM, thers is slight wear to the f...

A pair of Indian Colonial silver salt and pepper castors, cylindrical in shape standing on a raised circular foot, with removable dome shaped lids. Each castor has 3 gadrooned rims, and retain their original engraving "salt" and "pepper". The pepper castor has smaller holes in a different pattern (salt having larger holes for shaking), the pepper also has its original interior gilding. A similar pair is depicted on page 152 of "Indian Colonial Silver" by Wilkinson, who describes their shape and design as being unique to Indian Colonial silver (pg 165). The hallmarks include makers mark TB&Co, 2 pseudo marks (crowned lion passant and lion rampant holding a crown, pg 155 Wilkinson). The lion rampant mark is a reproduction of the crest of the HEIC (Honorable East India Company), which may have indicated official patronage (Wilkinson, pg 155). Twentyman & Beck, who worked between 1822 and 1826 from 4 Tank Square, Calcutta, were also the only Indian Colonial firm to use a crowned lion passant. The 2 castors also h...

A set of 3 Cape silver tablespoons by Johannes Combrink, who worked in Cape Town between 1814 and 1853. These spoons are excellent quality and robust, well suited for use. The spoons resemble the Old English pattern, but are Continental in design, with a V shaped drop, strong lip on tip and flattening to the top half of the handles. Given the Continental style of these spoons, which is confined to early Cape flatware, we can assume they were made early in Combrink's career, probably between 1814 (when Combrink started producing silver) and 1820, when the English 1820 settlers arrived in the Cape, bringing with them English styles. Each spoon has a small identification nick on the back at the top of the handle (1-2 mm). The makers mark IC (Welz mark 32) is clearly struck on all 3 spoons.

An Irish Georgian silver punch ladle, quite small in size, identical in form to the larger punch ladles, we are not sure if it is intended for punch or another liquid (bowl very similar in size to Scottish toddy ladles, so perhaps an Irish Whiskey toddy ladle?). The bowl is circular, with a substantial pouring lip, and angled handle, the turned wooden handle is stained black. The wooden handle is securely fastened with silver pin, we believe this to be original, with no repairs. The interior of the bowl has 3 hallmarks, makers mark J.T in rectangular punch, partially struck (due to curved surface) harp crowned for Dublin, and clearly struck duty mark for William IV, the punch with 4 indents, this punch was only used in 1831 and 1832. This particular makers mark is interesting, J.T in rectangular punch, it is not recorded by Bennett in his book "Collecting Irish Silver (highly recommended), it is recorded by Jackson (page 655) preserved on a pewter plate, but listed as unknown. Amongst the most likely candidat...

An interesting sterling silver Puritan spoon made by the celebrated Arts & Crafts jewellery designer and silversmith Amy Sandheim. This is a replica of a Commonwealth period (1649-1660) Puritan spoon, when the United Kingdom was run as a Republic under Oliver Cromwell, after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. The spoon has a plain rectangular stem and ovoid bowl, without adornment, reflecting the Puritanical nature of the period. The hallmarks are clear for London 1933, the AS makers mark is only lightly struck, but still clearly visible, with some scratch marks over the punch. Amy Sandheim worked between 1923 and 1943 from Notting Hill Gate, she is primarily remembered for her Arts & Crafts jewellery, where she was regarded as a pioneer, alongside Sibyl Dunlop and Dorrie Nossiter, She also made silver spoons in the Arts & Crafts style (see Artists Spoons by Simon Moore, pages 391-396), but was clearly also interested in 17th century styles.

A rare Cape silver tablespoon in the Old English thread pattern, we have only noted 2 examples of Cape silver in this pattern in the body of literature. The spoon is the usual Old English shape, but with a double thread around the edge, this is double struck (occurs on the front and back of the spoon). The spoon is engraved with original owners initials IM in script. The spoon is hallmarked with makers mark IC, the mark is slightly blurred, we assume the punch was worn when it was struck. The spoon is also hallmarked with the "Cape Stub", 4 pseudo - English hallmarks (lion passant, date letter, duty mark and leopard's head) struck mechanically in a fly press (see article on Cape Stub in "The Finial, 2007, and in the articles tab above), these marks have some wear but are still clearly visible. We believe this spoon was made by hand, you can see differences in how the thread has been applied. Please note our condition report, this spoon has been well used. David Heller, in his book "History of Cape Silver Vol....