A British Bulldog Club antique sterling silver trophy spoon, which is in excellent condition. The spoon features a well modelled bulldog head, above legend "THE BRITISH BULLDOG CLUB". The spoon is based on a single struck Kings pattern, but was specially commissioned by the club who wanted to present a more useful trophy than a medal. The club was established in 1892, and still operates today (although I doubt they still have such beautiful silver spoon trophies!). The hallmarks are clear, this spoon was made in Birmingham in 1906 by J A Restall & Co, who worked between 1881 and 1934.

An interesting coin silver American Fiddle pattern tablespoon, made by Samuel Kirk in 1822. The spoon has original owners script initials JMC. The spoon has 4 hallmarks, makers mark S.Kirk in script in rectangular punch for Samuel Kirk, Baltimore Coat of Arms shield mark in clipped corner rectangle (quality mark), date letter F for 1822 and Head of Liberty mark. This dates to a very interesting period in US silver history, Baltimore between 1814 and 1830 was the only place and date where hallmarks were required on silver in the USA. The State Legislature of Maryland passed the Assay Act of 1814, which set the quality standard at 917, the Act was repealed in 1830 due to opposition by the affected silversmiths, including Kirk, who petitioned for its repeal. Thomas Warner was the Baltimore Assayer between 1814 and 1823, so he would have struck these marks. Samuel Kirk began working as a silversmith 1815, he founded the very successful firm of S. Kirk & Sons in 1846, it became the oldest surviving silversmithing ...

A Danish modernist silver strawberry serving spoon, in Georg Jensen style. The spoon is beautiful, and is a good weight and quality. The spoon has a large circular bowl, with a pierced strawberry leaf design, to allow the juices to be drained before serving. The handle is cast, and has 2 well designed strawberries amongst foliage, these are embossed so provide a nice grip for the handle. This spoon is a useful size, suitable for serving other items besides strawberries. The spoon has 4 hallmarks, all of which are well struck and clear. The Danish 3 tower mark and date letter 33 for 1933 indicates purity of 826/1000, the SJ assay master mark (Stadtsguardein) for Johannes Siggaard (worked between 1932 and 1960). The 3rd mark is "Haandarbejde" indicating this item was made by hand, and the 4th mark is the script F surrounded by oval dots, the assay master mark for Frederik Fabritius, who worked between 1787 and 1823. The presence of this older assay masters mark is a mystery, it has also been observed on other D...

A lovely Art Deco Norwegian silver spoon, made to commemorate the unveiling of the Mor Og Barn (Mother and Child) statue in Sandefjord. The spoon has an embossed copy of the statue, a naked mother holding her baby in front of her, standing on a plinth. The rounded bowl has a stunning embossed view of Sandefjord, the detail is exquisite, complete with boats in the harbour, church steeples, houses and trees, with "SANDEFJORD" underneath. The Art Deco look and feel of the spoon is completed with the 8 pillars at the top of the handle. The hallmarks include silver mark 830S (830 grade silver) and makers mark of a goblet in an oval punch for Thorvald Marthinsen of Tonsberg. The original bronze statue is by Norwegian sculptor Arne Durban (1912-1994), who was known for his naturalistic work, his work is featured in over 30 Norwegian towns. It was unveiled on 17 May 1950 (Norwegian Constitution Day), which celebrates Norway becoming an independent kingdom in 1814. This spoon has been described by the website www.spoo...

An Arts and Crafts silver wine label engraved WHISKEY, made by hand by the Guild of Handicraft, the Harts of Chipping Campden. The label is planished (hand hammered), is rectangular with rounded corners, and has an attractive hand engraved border of scrolls and dots. The Whiskey has been engraved by hand as well, the individual hammer strokes visible. The label has 2 eyelets on top, also hand made, and silver chain. The hallmarks are clear, including G of H makers mark.

A very interesting Norwegian silver Liberation spoon, made to commemorate the liberation of Norway from German occupation at the end of the Second World War. The spoon has a stylised well built male in Art Deco style with arms aloft holding a circular shield, with the Norwegian crown on a radiating 4 leaf clover, the figure has broken the chains of oppression which connect with the bowl. The circular bowl is embossed "NORGE 1945, BRUTT BLEV LENKER BAND OG TVANG", translated "Broken were chains, ties and constraints", a line taken from Ibsen's Peer Gynt. The back of the spoon is plain, and the hallmarks are clear - makers mark NM, 830.S (830 grade silver), goblet (makers symbol), letter N and MADE IN NORWAY. This particular spoon was made in two different sizes, this is the larger (and rarer) version, suitable for use as a serving spoon. Thorvald Marthinsen Solvvarefabrikk was based in Tonsberg. Note - we also have the smaller version of this spoon, S11410.

A rare arts and crafts silver spoon, possibly a jam spoon, made for the iconic Liberty's department store in London. The spoon is very unusual, with a design and decoration we have not seen before. The spoon is hand made, and has a very heavy gauge, this is a lovely spoon to hold and use. The spoon has a "knob" on the stem, which adds to the attractiveness but which also has a practical use in increasing the grip. The engraved decoration is very simple floral design, the circles have been punched in. The small circles, both on the handle and in the bowl, were used to simulate rivets. The hallmarks are very clear, the L&Co makers mark in diamond punch is clear but slightly worn. The spoon also has it's own unique design number, 2339, perhaps some-one with access to the Liberty archives will be able to do further research. It is also interesting to note that this spoon was made early on during the First World War, before production was diverted to the war effort. Liberty used his shop to showcase the work of le...

A beautiful pair of Salters Company silver spoons, with the Salters Company coat of arms, and motto "Sal Sapit Omnia" (salt savours all) on a banner wrapped around the stem. The gilded bowls have a traditional shell design, these are very attractive spoons. The spoons are very good quality, are a good weight, and are perfectly preserved in their original box. The box also has the Salters Company coat of arms and motto on the lid, this is also a good quality box. The Salters Company is one of the 12 great livery companies of London, ranked 9th in order of precedence. Their origins were in the salt trade of medieval London, now they are a charitable organisation, focusing on chemistry. The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company was established in 1880 at 112 Regent Street, they amalgamated with Garrards in 1952. As can be seen from the box, they carried the Royal warrant, "By appointment to H.M. the King". The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear.

A regimental silver match box cover (large size matchbox), with gold crest of the 21st Empress of India Lancers. The box is engraved "Presented by MJ Stapylton Late 21st Hussars", and stands on 4 bun feet. The box is hallmarked, but these are now worn due to over zealous polishing in the mess. The box is also engraved "Asprey London". Major Miles John Stapylton of the Yorkshire Hussars and 21st Lancers was Lord of the Manor of Eston in Myton, York. He was born in 1869 and married in 1900, he had 3 children. The regimental history is interesting. The were designated 21st Hussars in India in 1861, and in 1897 they were re-designated and equipped as 21st Lancers in Cairo. In 1898 they were the only regular cavalry to serve with the army sent to re-conquer Sudan to end Dervish rule. In the now famous Charge at Omdurman, they lost 21 men and won 3 Victoria Crosses. Winston Churchill participatedin this action as a lieutenant. As a result of the charge, they were awarded the title "21st Empress of India Lancers" by...

An interesting antique Dutch silver miniature scale, with 2 circular weighing pans mounted on 4 supports, resting on a table with a drawer with handle. Four weights of different sizes are also present, along with 2 bars, we assume lifters to move the weights. The table is rectangular, on 4 feet with a skirt, and is decorated with S shaped scrolls. The scale is 835 grade silver, typical of continental silver (and slightly lower grade than 925 sterling silver). The scale contains a number of interesting hallmarks, but as they are quite small they are difficult to decipher. The first mark is ZII, which is the Netherlands purity mark for 835 grade silver, (Tardy, International Hallmarks, pg 327). The second mark is Ad81 in a rectangular punch, this is the makers mark for Jacobus van Dam, who worked in Schoonhoven between 1849 and 1888. The 3rd mark is 835 in an oval punch (silver purity mark), the 4th mark is tiny and difficult to read, looks like "42NO". Some additional marks are present, these are indistinct, c...

An attractive and dainty Georgian silver vinaigrette of very small dimensions, definitely made for a lady. It is engraved with a Scottish thistle on the base, and has a plain but decorative grill. The lid has a tiny cartouche surrounded by leaves in an oval design, the engraving is pretty but a bit chunky. The gilded grill has an unusual pierced pattern, done by hand, and the original sponge is still present. The hallmarks are very clear on both the lid and base, the grill is also hallmarked. Poole (Identifying Antique British Silver) identifies Bettridge working between 1817 and 1834, as this box is 1837 those dates must be considered erroneous. Bettridge is known for his fine quality silver boxes.

Attractive set of pierced and engraved fish servers, with a very comfortable feel. Albany pattern handles, which are loaded. The Albany pattern was the only 19th century pattern to join the standard patterns after 1860. It was named after Queen Victoria's youngest son, the Duke of Albany, who died in 1884. Very clear hallmarks.

A lovely porringer in the style of Charles II. Spot hammered, embossed with acanthus leaves and scroll handles with dolphin head. This porringer is very good quality, amongst the best we have seen. George Fox was a member of the well known Fox family of silversmiths, who supplied some of the leading silver retailers of the day. They are particularly well known for their fine copies of earlier styles (as is this piece). Britannia silver is higher grade than sterling silver, being 950/1000, as opposed to sterling's 925/1000.

Delightful 8 piece miniature Coffee set including coffeepot, with composition handle, milk jug, sugar basin, 2 cups and saucers, and a two handled tray. The interiors are gilt, and each of the 8 pieces is clearly hallmarked (including the coffee pot lid). Saunders and Sheperd were well known for their miniatures.

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 near pair of silver golf trophies from the Manchester Old Golf Club, both won by the same person. The first was made in Sheffield in 1900 by Fenton Brothers, the second in London in 1901 by Harris & Sons. The trophies are bowls, similar in shape to rosebowls, but smaller. They both have a half fluted design. Both are engraved, the first reads "Manchester Old Golf Club, Atherton Silver Medal, 1900, Edwin Oliver, 98-15-83", the second "Old Manchester Golf Club, Silver Challenge Bowl, 1903, E. Oliver". The hallmarks on both are clear, one makers mark is rubbed but still visible.

A rare Oban silver pickle fork with Iona style St. Martin's Cross finial, made by Robert Lindsay in Oban in 1929 and hallmarked in Sheffield. The fork has splayed fat tines, so ideal for pickles or cold meats. The hallmarks are clear, and include makers mark RL in 2 circular punches, and "R.LINDSAY, OBAN". Lindsay is only recorded for 2 years between 1927 and 1929, we assume the tourist trade was insufficient to support him, so his silver is rare (as is all Oban silver, see our butter knives by Drummond S 1931). He produced small spoons, knives and forks, all with Iona crosses, alongside napkin rings. We welcome additional information on Robert Lindsay, this is a beautiful fork, he deserved to flourish!

A lovely American Arts & Crafts sterling silver caddy spoon, made by respected silversmith Katherine Pratt. The spoon has an unusual but striking curved shovel shaped bowl with a flat terminated bowl edge, most caddy spoons have rounded bowls. The bowl edges are slightly raised, this is a well made spoon. The handle is long and elegant, and very practical for use. The spoon is stamped "STERLING" and "PRATT". These are in different fonts, the Pratt font is quite distinctive and typically Arts & Crafts. Katherine Pratt (1891-1978) has been described as "America's foremost 20th century woman silversmith" although information on her is sparse and her silver is rarely seen on the market today. She graduated from the Boston Museum School in 1914, and trained under both George Hunt and George Gebelein, both leading Arts and Crafts silversmiths. She worked at the Handicraft Shop, and was recognised by the Boston Society of Arts (Craftsman 1916, Master 1918, and the prestigious Medalist Craftsman in 1931, the only fe...

Plain but pleasing Nathaniel Mills snuffbox, with gilt interior and an attractive crest. The crest, which is slightly worn, has a scalloped cartouche containing a griffin, encased by scrolling palms.

A beautiful Victorian silver sifter ladle in the style of the Aesthetic Movement, made by the important firm of Silversmiths Edward Barnard & Sons. The quality and condition are outstanding, the bowl has a pattern of 2 different types of leaves, each individually pierced and engraved by hand, clearly by a master craftsman. The bowl, which is gilded on the interior, also has a wreath around the edge, with the leaves and wreath repeated on the handle, the wreath forming a cartouche which has not been engraved. The hallmarks for London 1881 are clear, as is makers mark WBJ in shaped shield for Walter & John Barnard, who ran the firm between 1877 and 1895. Edward Barnard & Sons are the oldest manufacturing silversmiths in the world, having been founded in 1680 by Anthony Nelme, they still operate today as a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham (source Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, John Culme, page 29). The Aesthetic Movement flourished in the period 1865 - 1885, after the International Exhibition in London led to a...