A Boer War silver belt buckle, with pith helmet above 2 crossed rifles with bayonets attached, surrounded by a wreath with the British national flowers (rose, thistle, shamrock and leek). The engraving is quite attractive. Unfortunately we have not been able to identify the regiment, we have seen nurse's buckles similar to this, but feel the presence of rifles makes a nursing attribution unlikely.

A Victorian silver miniature replica of a porringer, probably intended as a toy. The porringer is typical 17th century style, with gadrooned and punched dot decoration, and scrolling handles. Daniel and John Wellby specialised in fine copies of early pieces (Pickford, Jackson's Hallmarks). The hallmarks are clear with the exception of the makers mark, which is partially worn but still identifiable.

A lovely antique silver oar, a rowing prize for the Weymouth Regatta of 1870. Silver oars were popular prizes at regattas during early to mid Victorian times in England. The oar has good detail, including textured blade and locking pin. The oar is engraved "Weymouth Regatta, 1870, H.B. Winter, BOW", and has small but clear and well struck hallmarks. The original box has it's retailer label, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths, Lincoln Inn. Thomas Bartlett worked from St. John street in Clerkenwell, where he specialised in gold pens (Culme, Gold and Silversmiths). The Weymouth Regatta still exists today, although now it is a sailing event, held in Weymouth Bay and Portland harbour, the sailing venue for the 2012 Olympic games. Weymouth has a current rowing club, who row Cornish pilot gigs at sea - these craft were used to take pilots out to oncoming ships in the Atlantic approaches. We imagine this prize was awarded for traditional flat water rowing on a river, probably the river Wey.

A lovely set of 6 miniature silver teacups with matching saucers, both cups and saucers are decorated with a hand engraved zig zag pattern. This is around the rims and centre of the saucers, and both inside and outside the rims of the teacups. All 6 saucers have 2 hallmarks, firstly makers mark "H goblet" in a 6 sided punch, we have not been able to identify the maker (we would welcome assistance, thanks!). All 12 pieces are hallmarked with the Dutch silver sword used on small items, this particular mark was used between 1814 and 1905.

A well modelled silver equestrian medal, showing a horse rider with hounds on the front, and 3 horses in a field with a tree on the rear. It reads "Hunters Improvement and National, Light Horse Breeding Society, 1932". The medallion was modelled by Frank Hyams Ld, as indicated by his signature.

A Cape silver konfyt (preserve) fork in the Fiddle pattern, with 3 tines. The only hallmark is the makers mark J.B which is clear, mark 16 in Cape Silver by Welz. Beyleveld was born in the Cape in 1792, he worked from Waterkant and Loop Street.

A Cape silver tablespoon in the Fiddle pattern, with pseudo English hallmarks. The spoon bowl is long and elegant, and the spoon is good quality and is pleasing to hold. The hallmarks are very clear (Welz mark 148 in Cape silver) and nicely detailed, even hair is visible on the duty mark, and the flag is visible on the castle. The base of the duty mark is cusped, and the makers mark LT is also clear.

A rare Cape silver berry teaspoon, in the Fiddle pattern, with gilded berried bowl and decorated handle. The spoon must be well travelled in it's early life, as the spoon was made in Cape Town circa 1830, and probably "berried" in London in mid to late Victorian times, when the practice of "berrying" was popular (this practice is unknown in Cape silver). Plain Georgian silver spoons were embossed and chased with fruit and foliate scrolls (Pickford, Silver Flatware, pg 70), and the bowl was gilded to complete the effect. The hallmarks are very clear, makers mark FW and pseudo English hallmarks (leopards head, date letter a, duty mark and lion passant), these are mark 163 (Cape silver by Welz). These are the same punches used earlier by Twentyman, Waldek took over Twentyman's shop and workshop in 1836.

Plain Cape saltspoon in the Fiddle pattern with gilded bowl, and very clear pseudo English hallmarks and makers mark.

A rare and unusual Victorian silver sovereign case, which holds 5 gold sovereigns. The case is circular and is beautifully designed, it opens on a central swivel, into a semi-circle, with slots for 5 sovereigns. The case has a loop, for attachment to a watch chain (Albert), it can also be worn as a pendant. Both sides of the case are decorated with scrolling foliage, and a tulip like flower. This case is good quality, we have not seen this design before. The hallmarks are clear. Edward and Noble Haseler were established in 1883, they had London premises at 94 Hatton Gardens (Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, pg 220).

An interesting armorial silver spoon, with armorial of Robert Burns, who is widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland, also "Scotland's Favourite Son", also voted "Greatest Scot of all Time" (Wikipedia). Burns night is celebrated on 25 January, with haggis on the menu, and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne". The armorial features a seeded holly bush, under shepherds pipe and crook, with a woodlark perched on a sprig of bay tree, and "Wood Notes Wild" from Milton's Allegro. The bottom of the shield has the motto "Better a wee bush than nae bield" (a small bush is better than no shelter at all), which Burns used to seal his letters.

A lovely commemorative Scottish silver box, beautifully engraved on the lid with 3 different armorials. The sides of the box are decorated with an attractive flower, leaf and bow design, and the interior is silver gilt. The inscription reads "From Friends at Archers Hall to Charles Stewart, Match Secretary, 1891-1901, 22nd October 1901." Archers Hall was built in 1777 for the Royal Company of Archers, the oldest surviving company of longbowmen in Britain. Today a private club, they provide the bodyguard for the sovereign in Scotland (ceremonial today). Members must be Scottish, and are drawn from politicians, military officers and nobility. They compete annually for the "Edinburgh Arrow". The central coat of arms, with motto "Nobilis Ira" (Noble Wrath), has the shield topped with Peers helmet and demi lion rampant. This is the coat of arms of the Stewarts. The armorial to the left is the Royal coat of arms as used in Scotland, but unusually with the English motto "Dieu et Mon Droit" (God and my Right). The 3...

A lovely and unusual set of 6 silver teaspoons, with an embossed stylised Fleur-de-Lis on the front, and picture back Fleur-de-Lis surrounded by a branch on the back of the bowl. They have a slight "Fiddle" at the base of the stem. The spoons are a good gauge, and a pleasure to use. Given they were made in 1918 at the end of WW1, perhaps they were intended to celebrate France returning to peace. John Yeomans Cowlishaw was highly regarded for his fruit and dessert knives, the firm existed from 1862 to 1950. Cowlishaw unfortunately committed suicide in 1895, the business was carried on by his son. The hallmarks are clear on all 6 spoons.

Set of 12 Fiddle pattern dessert spoons and forks, made by Hamilton & Co, the "Garrards of India". All 12 have a crest and set of initials (AD), the crest (which are worn but visible) is a dove with an olive branch in its beak, under the motto "Nil Nisi Fidum" (translated "Nothing but Trust"). All are clearly hallmarked with maker mark, elephant, the capital letter A and a variety of tallymarks.

A set of Edwardian replica Apostle spoons, with gilded Apostles and gilded fig shaped bowls, in original felt and silk lined box. The spoons are quite large, suitable for use as serving spoons. The practise of reproducing earlier styles of silver was common at the turn of the century. These spoons are very fine quality. The Apostles appear to be: 1. The Master (Saviour) with orb and cross. 2. St Peter with key. 3. St James the Greater with pilgrims staff. 4. St Matthew with purse. We are not sure of the significance of a boxed set of 4 Apostles, perhaps originally a Christening present. Wakely and Wheeler (originally Lias & Son) were manufacturing silversmiths, who supplied many leading dealers in their day. The hallmarks on all 4 spoons are clear.

Lovely set of twisted stem Apostle spoons, with cast silver Apostle finials, complete with nimbus (halo), signifying a saintly head. The spoons are very good quality, the cast Apostles have good detail, unlike the many sets of Apostle spoons mass produced later in the 20th century. The nimbus is engraved with Saint Esprit (Dove of the Holy Ghost), which signifies the descent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostle. The Esprit nimbus is frequently present in early (16th century) Apostle spoons. The hallmarks are clear on all spoons. Thomas Bradbury & Sons was a well known firm, in existance from 1769 to 1943, who mostly exported to the USA.

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...

An Austrian silver cigarette case, with an interesting commemorative double sided medallion by Lauer of Nuremberg, celebrating a 400 year jubilee (1488-1888), set in the lid. The case is ribbed, and has a gilded interior, and gold thumb piece. The case is fabulous quality, very heavy and beautifully made, the hinge is almost invisible, clearly the work of a master craftsman. The medallion is double sided, it was struck to commemorate Kaiser Frederick III, King of Prussia and German Emperor, who came to the throne in 1888, who is on the back of the medallion, in full armour wearing a crown. Unfortunately he died 99 days later of throat cancer, so it was a short reign. He was a liberal and was married to Princess Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, historians have speculated that had he remained on the throne longer the Great War might never had happened.The front of the medallion depicts the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III (same name) Archduke of Austria and King of Germany, in crown and armour, with...

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...

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...