Miniature Items
Browse our collection of antique silver Miniature Items – Boxes, Dishes, Toys, Models, Kitchenware and Musical Instruments
Silver toys originated in Europe during the 17th century and were made initially for the children of kings and queens. At that time England was still suffering under Puritanism and it wasn’t until the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 that silver toys were made available in this country. The earliest English silver toys date from 1665 and were made in London; it was uncommon for toys to be made in the provinces. The Dutch were the leading manufacturers of silver toys, their most prolific period being 1725-1750, and by then wealthy royalty, landowners and business men were buying toys for their own pleasure as well as that of their children’s.
The Traveller’s Sample would be an exact copy of a full size original. The great attention to detail and slightly larger size than normal toys of this period generally indicates this purpose.
Miniature Items
Browse our collection of antique silver Miniature Items – Boxes, Dishes, Toys, Models, Kitchenware and Musical Instruments
Silver toys originated in Europe during the 17th century and were made initially for the children of kings and queens. At that time England was still suffering under Puritanism and it wasn’t until the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 that silver toys were made available in this country. The earliest English silver toys date from 1665 and were made in London; it was uncommon for toys to be made in the provinces. The Dutch were the leading manufacturers of silver toys, their most prolific period being 1725-1750, and by then wealthy royalty, landowners and business men were buying toys for their own pleasure as well as that of their children’s.
The Traveller’s Sample would be an exact copy of a full size original. The great attention to detail and slightly larger size than normal toys of this period generally indicates this purpose.
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Circa 1580
10187 Elizabeth I Antique Silver Bottle
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A fantastic little collector’s item. A rare 16th century silver bottle, tiny size, probably for perfume oil or holy water. The detachable screw top contains a space inside for either a cork or dip stick. The body is finely engraved with hatched ornament typical of the mid to late 16th century. Weight 20 grams. Height 6.5cm (to the top), 4.3cm (to top of body). Base measures 3.2cm x 2.2cm. English. Circa 1580. Unmarked silver.
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1673
8394 Charles II Silver Porringer
£1,750
A rare early English silver porringer of small size having 2 side handles and belly shape. Lovely original hand beaten finish. Weight 69 grams, 2.2 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 6 cms. London 1673. Maker IC* listed in Jacksons.
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1673
George Watkins
10182 Charles II Antique Silver Wine Taster
£2,750
A rare early English miniature wine taster from the reign of Charles II. Very charming size. This little cup has a circular form with simple wirework handles and embossed grape decoration. Weight 21 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 2 cm approx. Diameter of top 6.1cm. Spread across handles 8.9cm. London 1673. Made by George Watkins. Sterling silver.
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1675
Isaac Dighton
9172 Antique Charles II Silver Boxes
£6,950
A very rare matching pair of early antique silver boxes of octagonal form, with pull off tops, dating from the reign of King Charles II. Sterling silver. Simple plain form with a large hand engraved crest within tied plumage, very typical of the date. Superb antique colour. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service. Total weight 239 grams, 7.6 troy ounces. Height 3.5 cm. Width of top 9 cm. London 1675. Maker Isaac Dighton, London.
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Circa 1690
Anthony Nelme
9371 17th Century Antique Silver Boxes
£3,750
A pair of early English antique silver toilet jars with lift off lids. Plain octagonal form. The tops have a hand engraved armorial within plumage feathers, typical of the Charles II/James II period. These unusual miniature toilet jars are very charming. Superb antique colour. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service. Total weight 148 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Diameter of lid 3.8cm. Makers mark only for Anthony Nelme. Circa 1690. Sterling silver.
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1693
George Manjoy
9539 William & Mary Antique Silver Miniature Mug
£2,350
A delightful little collector’s piece. This rare miniature (or toy) mug is an exact copy of a full size original. Of globular form it has a reeded and incised neck, and double scroll handle. This style was only made for a short period at the end of the 17th century and is the earliest type of mug you are likely to come across. The body is engraved with an exotic bird and leafy branches. Weight 14 grams, less than 1/2 troy ounce. Height 3.5cm. Spread 4.9cm. London 1693. Maker George Manjoy, a specialist toy maker.
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1737
Willem Van Strant
10116 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Teapot
£1,250
A Dutch silver toy teapot of pear shaped form with swing handle and detachable lid. Very good condition. Excellent patina. Weight 45 grams, 1.5 troy ounces. Height 5.5cm (to top of handle), 4.4cm (to top of knob). Made in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Date mark “C” for 1737. Maker Willem Van Strant.
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Circa 1900
6425 Antique Miniature Silver Mandolin
£165
A pretty little model silver mandolin. To the front there is a country scene with a horse and cherub. On the back there is a cherub fishing scene. Weight 41 grams, 1.3 troy ounces. Length 10.75 cms. Width 3.5 cms. Continental silver – unmarked. Circa 1900.
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Circa 1900
6426 Antique Miniature Silver Double Bass
£285
A large and very heavy antique silver model double bass. Very pretty with flowers, ladies and cherub decoration. Excellent modelling. Weight 182 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Length 16.5 cms. Width 5 cms. Continental silver – unmarked. Circa 1900.
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Circa 1900
10178 Antique Silver Miniature Chandelier
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This toy chandelier is an exact replica of a full size 9-candle original and the design is typically Dutch. Weight 50 grams, less than 2 troy ounces. Height 7.2cm. Spread 7.2cm. Unmarked silver. Probably Dutch. Circa 1900.
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Circa 1800
Joseph Taylor
9856 George III Silver Caddy Spoon
£235
A charming little antique silver spoon with wire scroll handle, the bowl fashioned as a leaf. Weight 8 grams. Length 7cm. Width 3cm. Lion mark only. This type of spoon was generally made in Birmingham. Maker probably Joseph Taylor. Circa 1800.
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1675
Simon Romney
8739 Antique Charles II Silver Porringer
£7,500
A rare piece of early English silver. A large 2 handled antique silver porringer of plain form. The matching cover has a capstan shaped finial so that the lid can be turned upside down and used on its own as a saucer. This has the form of a typical early Restoration porringer, with bellied shape and the lid sitting over the upper rim. There is a small silver support either side next to the handle for the lid to sit on. Hand engraved to the front, and repeated on the cover, are the arms and crest for the Yong family of Medhurst, Sussex. Weight 375 grams, 12 troy ounces. Height 14 cm (total), 10 cm (cup), 4.5 cm (lid). Diameter 10 cm. Spread across the handles 17 cm. London 1675. Makers mark “SR”* in a shield (there are 2 similar marks in Jacksons, see page 124 and 129, bottom of the page), probably Simon Romney.
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Circa 1728
Abraham Marshoorn
8965 Antique Silver Spoon
£450
An excellent antique Dutch gilt silver spoon. Cast silver. The finial is modelled with a seated figure holding a baby and accompanied by a cherub, an allegorical representation of maternal love. The back of the bowl is inscribed with the owners initials. Weight 61 grams, just under 3 troy ounces. Length 18.3 cms. Bowl measures 7×5 cms. Amsterdam, Netherlands. 1728.
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1770
Margaret Binley
9287 Antique Silver Wine Label
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A classical style antique sterling silver bottle ticket of half moon design with feather edge border. The word “HOCK” is hand engraved to the front. Weight 6 grams. Measures 4 x 4.2cms. Makers mark only. Margaret Binley. Circa 1770.
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