A fabulous pair of Cape Silver lemoen lepels, (orange spoons), in excellent condition, and with very clear makers mark. The spoons are typical of the Cape lemoen lepels, with pointed terminal and bowl, the bowl itself eye shaped and quite deep. The spoons have typical Cape engraving, with a 4 petal flower and wrigglework along the edges of the handles. They also have a distinctive V joint connecting handle to bowl, the 2 v joints are quite different in angle and style, reflecting their hand-made character. The IC makers mark on both spoons is well struck and clear (Welz mark 32 with canted corners). Welz describes orange spoons as"probably the most attractive type of spoon made at the Cape, derived from Dutch spoons", pg 95. He also notes that all known examples are by Cape born silversmiths of the early 19th century (so not made by the more prolific English immigrants who arrived after 1815). As far as we are aware, only Jan Lotter and Johannes combrink made lemoen lepels, probably between 1800 and 1815.

An interesting set of good quality sterling silver teaspoons, with an unusual Art Deco stylised floral design. The design has 3 leaves on a long stem between 2 bars, with balls (berries?) above and below the bars, oval above and round below. The top of the spoons has an oval shield and pointed terminal, this is quite an elegant design. All 6 spoons have clear hallmarks on the back of the bowl, with makers mark O.W&S, we believe Owen Williams & Sons of Sheffield. Any information about this design would be most welcome.

Small Arts and Crafts basket, possibly Norwegian, with swing handle. The basket is spot hammered and has an attractive embossed 5 dome design. The base is stamped 830, and both the interior and the handle are hallmarked with a script V, the Dutch import mark (post 1906).

A Chinese Export silver dessert fork in the Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern, one of the most popular Fiddle pattern variants. The fork is excellent quality and gauge, easily comparable to an English Georgian example. The hallmarks are excellent, and include pseudo duty mark, pseudo crowned leopards head (London town mark pre 1821), pseudo date letter P in incuse rectangle with cut corners, pseudo lion passant and makers mark WE WE WC. This is an imitation of the makers mark for William Eley, William Fearn and William Chawner. The Chinese Export silver collectors guide (4th edition, pg 763-767) says this maker remains unidentified, but was responsible "for an astounding production of silver items, almost all in the European neo-classical style. The work of WE WE WC is par excellence, it can rival the best of English, European and American silversmiths of the Georgian era. There is no such thing as a poor piece of WE WE WC silver. To have the wherewithal to create silver that rivaled the finest European and Ame...

A fabulous pair of Scottish silver Hanoverian tablespoons, made in Edinburgh in 1753. The spoons have the traditional central rib, and double drop, the spoon bowls are oval in shape. These are quality spoons, around 75 grammes each.Both spoons are engraved with a family crest and motto, the crests are worn from polishing but still legible. The crest is a "broken terrestrial globe surmounted by a rainbow issueing out of clouds", above motto "AT SPES INFRACTA", translated "Yet my Hope is Unbroken". Above the globe is an Earls coronet, showing these spoons were owned by John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, who lived between 1704 and 1781, he became Earl in 1742. The hallmarks on both spoons include makers mark K&D for Ker & Dempster, who worked between 1749 and 1771. This is followed by castle town mark, assay master mark HG for Hugh Gordon, who worked between 1744 and 1758. The 4th mark is date letter Y for 1753, this is slightly worn but still visible. Hopetoun House, which was completed by the 2nd Earl, still exi...

A magnificent and rare pair of silver-gilt Victorian Bacchanalian pattern grape scissors, in excellent condition. The scissors are completely silver gilt (apart from screw), and are completely sterling silver (no steel inserts). They are the traditional shape, and are decorated with the rare Bacchanalian pattern, designed by Stothard for the Royal Goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, originally made by Paul Storr, pieces are still in the Royal collection today. This is one of the rarest English silver flatware patterns, it shows Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, riding a lion, whilst a topless Diana looks on, with another figure asleep at her feet. The back is also beautifully decorated, with tilted amphora of wine, bunches of grapes and vine leaves complete the decoration. Bacchanalian pattern is shown in the book "Silver Flatware" by Pickford (pg. 127), where an identical pair of grape scissors is shown, made by Wakely and Wheeler. The hallmarks are very clear, and include makers mark HJL for Henry John Lia...

A rare and interesting Victorian silver vesta case, with an enamelled Malta Blue twopence halfpenny stamp, used between 1885 and 1890. The vesta itself is rectangular in shape, with striker in base, and silver ring attachment (for attachment to Albert chain). The vesta is hallmarked in the usual place, along the inside top rim, with Lion Passant, anchor, date letter P (only in use from May to July 1890, after the duty mark was retired), and partial makers mark C. in shield punch, possibly Charles Usher of Usher Manufacturing Company. This vesta previously sold at Sotheby's London in 1988, their description stated "very rare, the only example we have seen", they also described the "superb enamelled representation of the Malta 1885-90 2&half d blue".

An antique silver whisky noggin, also called a Chota Peg, complete with antique silver whiskey wine label. The noggin is the traditional conical shape, with cut glass star base, glass handle and silver pouring collar and lid with thumb piece. The hallmarks are clear on both the rim and the lid. The noggin comes with a small kidney shaped wine label with original chain, engraved "Whiskey", also with clear London hallmarks for 1908 and Hukin & Heath makers mark, a respected firm. Whisky noggins were popular in Edwardian times, they contain a 1 gill (30 ml) measure, so a generous double tot, and were made to be taken to bed. They were also popular amongst British expats in India during the Raj period, where they were called "Chota Peg", or little drink, also "go to bed" drink. Joshua and John Maxfield, founded in 1855 in Sheffield, were celebrated at the Jewellers Exhibition of 1913 for "the extent and variety of novelties which they have placed on the market" Culme, Gold & Silversmiths pg 319. They had a showro...

A fabulous Arts & Crafts silver child's spoon, with a hedgehog finial, made by Francis Cooper, son of the famous John Paul Cooper, who was one of the leaders of the Arts and Crafts movement. Silver by Francis Cooper is quite rare, and is seldom seen (see www.antiquesilverspoons.co.uk for a beautiful tea strainer by Francis Cooper). The spoon has a well modeled hedgehog finial, mounted on a disc with 6 supports, one support is part of the spoon stem detail. The bowl is hand hammered at the back but smooth in front, with the drop and rat-tail part of the bowl. The spoon is exceptionally well made, and given it's superb gauge is a delight to hold (if you have small hands!). The hallmarks are very clear, and include gothic script FC makers mark and the Queens head Silver Jubilee mark for 1977. Francis Cooper (1906-1980, so this spoon was one of the last he produced) worked for his father as a metalworker from 1924 until his death in 1933. John Paul Cooper was an architect turned metalworker, who headed up metal...

An interesting 17th century traveling knife and fork, in leather sheath, with matching pin in the front of the sheath (for attachment to belt?). The knife, fork and pin have lion heads with open mouth, made in brass or bronze above mixed material handles, dark grained wood, lighter carved wood, brass pins, circular plugs (yellow material), diamond steel, quite an attractive design. The steel blade has a distinctive makers mark, II IS with a cross in-between, with dots in triangular shape either end, some dots above and below as well (we welcome assistance with identification, thanks). The blade also has a hookat the handle end. The fork is 2 pronged, with a pierced heart shaped connection to handle, with engraving. The leather sheath is also lovely, finely decorated with scrolls, dots and zig-zags. This is not our area of expertise, but we have seen similar sets in the book "Eight Centuries of European Knives, Forks and Spoons by Klaus Marquardt, for example the 16th century Italian examples have very simila...

A rare and unusual Victorian silver double lidded twin stamp box, one of the most practical designs we have seen on a stamp box. The box is rectangular, and is good quality, a pleasing weight, with gilded interior with 2 sloped compartments, and twin lids on separate hinges. The lids have separate silver frames which hold the glass in place covering the representative stamp. The box is clearly hallmarked, both lids and both frames are hallmarked as well. Cohen & Charles worked between 1890 and 1974, founded by Albert Cohen and Charles Solomon. They were the sole English agents for the leading French firm of Baudet Freres & Cie, so were a prestigious firm (Culme, Gold & Silversmiths, pg 88).

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 ...

Magnificent pair of Arts and Crafts spoons by Sibyl Dunlop, one of the leading female practitioners of the Arts and Crafts movement. The spoons are in the shape and style of 16th century spoons, with fig shaped bowl, hexagonal stem and shaped finials. The spoons are cast, with hand hammered bowls, and have a cast finial that resembles a pineapple with scrolls on either side, resting on 3 rings. A furrow runs down the front end of the shaft of each spoon. These spoons are very good quality, with pleasing weight, lovely to hold and use. The hallmarks on both spoons are very clear, including the SD makers mark. Dunlop (1889-1968) was born in Scotland, trained as a jewellery designer in Brussels, and opened a shop in Kensington Street, London. She specialised in Arts and Crafts silver and jewellery, often naturalistic in style. These spoons have been depicted and described in the book "Artists' Spoons" by Simon Moore, page 383, where they are described as "finely crafted, in classical mood (15/16th century) with ...

A magnificent Elkington silver salver, of very generous proportions, circular with a cast border decorated with 4 faces (the 4 seasons), and an elaborate shell and scroll border. The salver is exceptional quality and weight, weighing 4.65 kilogrammes (164 ounces), so this is a very large and heavy salver. The salver rests on 8 shell feet (4 double feet). It has very clear hallmarks, and is also stamped "Elkington & Co, 31921", which is probably a pattern number. The four faces are as follows: 1. Old man with flowing beard 2. Young woman with wheat sheaves 3. Young woman with roses 4. Young woman with vines and grapes. The border is cast, as can be seen in the photograph of the back of the rim.

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.

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...

A Cape silver Fiddle pattern tablespoon, with a rare makers mark. The spoon has engraved initials CJP, these are original and Colonial, the P slants at an angle. The hallmarks are excellent, makers mark DH in serrated punch, surrounded by 2 circular punch devices, Welz mark 56. The serrated edge was not shown by Welz, but it is shown by Heller Vol II, page 122, mark NMM 19. This is significant as no other Cape silversmith used a serrated edge punch. Daniel Hockly is one of the few Cape silversmiths trained prior to arrival in the Cape, whose work is known from both areas. Hockly trained in London, was registered as a smallworker in 1810, and is known for high quality wine labels (Grimwade mark 470, 473, page 548). He emigrated to the Cape in 1819, one of the "1820 Settlers", he arrived in Algoa Bay (now Port Elizabeth) in 1820 on board the SS Chapman, with 256 other settlers, his wife Elizabeth and 3 children, their 4th child Fanny Chapman was born onboard. The family remained in the Eastern Cape, spending ti...

A rare and unique cast silver wine label, engraved with the name "Mulberry Wine", an unknown name which is not recorded in the master list of names on silver wine labels (Appendix 1, Wine Labels 1730-2003, page 385, which lists 2353 different names). Mulberry wine is generally a home made, so we imagine this label was specially commissioned. The label is curved rectangular shape, with central peak topped with the Royal crown, and beautiful applied lion supporters on each side. The label is lovely quality, quite heavy, a pleasure to hold. These wine labels were distributed by the wine merchants Saccone & Speed, as can be seen in the photograph of the advert (courtesy of www.steppeshillfarmantiques.com). The hallmarks are very clear, and include the coronation mark, and makers mark LGD for Leslie Durbin. Leslie Durbin was one of the most admired silversmiths of the 20th century, his silver is in the Royal collection, he was also honoured with a 1 man exhibition at the Goldsmiths hall entitled "50 Years of Silv...

An interesting pair of Scottish sterling silver miniature triangular bowls, intended as salt cellars, reproductions from the Traprain Treasure. The bowls have a large beaded rim, and rest on a circular foot, these are miniatures of the set we have (S 1099). They are quite heavy and well made. The hallmarks are very clear, Scottish thistle, Edinburgh castle and date letter X for 1928, along with "Brook & Son, Edinburgh. The bowls also have an additional hallmark, stylised S in diamond punch, this mysterious S in diamond punch is also present on other Traprain treasure reproductions, so we assume it was used by Brook on the Traprain reproductions. Brook and Son were the leading Scottish silversmiths in the early 20th century, they operated between 1891 and 1939 from 87 George Street, they had a Royal Warrant from King George V (Hamilton and Inches today). The bowls are reproductions of a Roman bowl that was part of the Traprain Law treasure hoard, which was discovered by George Pringle at Traprain Law, East Lot...

An interesting pair of Scottish sterling silver triangular bowls, reproductions from the Traprain Treasure. The bowls have a large beaded rim, and rest on a circular foot, the bowls are quite deep, so useful for a number of items. They are quite heavy and well made. The hallmarks are very clear, Scottish thistle, Edinburgh castle and date letter D, along with "Brook & Son, St George St Edinburgh, and "Traprain Treasure 1919, Authorised Reproductions". Brook and Son were the leading Scottish silversmiths in the early 20th century, they operated between 1891 and 1939 from 87 George Street, they had a Royal Warrant from King George V (Hamilton and Inches today). The bowls are reproductions of a Roman bowl that was part of the Traprain Law treasure hoard, which was discovered by George Pringle at Traprain Law, East Lothian, in 1919. The hoard dates from 400 AD, and consisted of 160 pieces, mostly cut up ready for melting. William Brook was the silversmith involved in conserving and trying to reconstruct the origi...