Animals, Birds, Fish
Beautiful lifelike models of animals, birds and fish in solid silver
Novelty items
Silverware with ornamental features taken from nature
Animals, Birds, Fish
Beautiful lifelike models of animals, birds and fish in solid silver
Novelty items
Silverware with ornamental features taken from nature
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1678
Thomas Roman
10421 Charles II Antique Silver 2 Handled Cup
£8,750>
This beautiful chinoiserie silver cup must be almost unique. The body is raised from sheet and has simple strap handles and an incised, reeded neck. This is similar in form to the earliest type of mug which was only made during a short period at the last quarter of the 17th century. The cup (or porringer?) is made completely by hand, and has a gilt silver finish. The body is stunningly decorated with a hand chased chinoiserie scene depicting exotic birds and plants in a tropical forest. Weight 254grams, 8.1 troy oz. Height 11cm (top of handle), 10.5cm (top of neck). Spread across the handles 18.5cm. Diameter 10.3cm. London 1678. Maker Thomas Roman. Sterling silver.
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1680
Ralph Leake
10419 Pair of Charles II Antique Silver Boxes
£10,750>
An outstanding pair of 17th century silver toilet boxes of octagonal form with pull off lids. Good size and weight. The charming decoration is a superb example of the flat chased chinoiserie style popular in the late 1600’s. Each box depicts a different scene incorporating two Chinese figures within a backdrop of architectural ruins and exotic plants and birds. At this date boxes of this type would have originally been part of an extensive toilet service. Weight 738g, 23.7 troy oz. Width 13.7cm, 5.4 inches. Height 7.2cm, 2.8 inches. London 1680. Maker Ralph Leake. Sterling silver.
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1683
Robert Cooper
10383 Charles II Antique Silver Porringer
Reserved
A rare early English silver cup and cover with finely engraved chinoiserie decoration to the body and lid. Large size and good heavy weight. The fantastical Chinese forest landscape contains exotic long tailed birds and spidery plants depicted in beautiful hand chased ornament. To the front there is a widow’s armorial, owner’s initials, and the date “1683”. The shaped handles are typical of this early period. Weight 575g, 18.4 troy oz. Height 11.2cm (to rim), 17.5cm (to top of finial). Spread 21.8cm. Diameter 14.1cm. London 1683. Maker Robert Cooper. Sterling silver. 17th century.
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Circa 1720
David Willaume
10362 George II Antique Silver Jug
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An interesting little antique silver cream jug formed of an auricular shell with a ribbed serpent scroll handle and raised on a dragon support. Exquisite workmanship and very heavy gauge silver. Faint traces of original gilding. Contains 75ml. Weight 252g, 8.1 troy oz. Height 10.4cm (top of handle)/9cm (lip). Spread 10.8cm. Foot 5.3 x 4.1cm. Unmarked silver. Probably David Willaume. Circa 1720.
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Circa 1750
Modin
9929 Antique Swedish Silver Beaker
£950>
Of sporting interest. An antique silver beaker of tapering form, the lower body is embossed and chased all round with a boar hunting scene. Small size. Gilded to the top rim, base and interior. Contains 150 ml. Weight 57 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Height 8.9cm. Diameter 7.5c, (top), 4.4cm (base). Stamped underneath with Swedish silver marks for Sundersvall. Maker J.P Modin. Circa 1750.
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1767
John Schuppe
10245 George III Silver Cow Creamer
£7,500>
An antique silver cream jug in the form of a model cow. The cavity below the lid is filled with cream which is poured out through the cow’s mouth using the curled tail as a handle. Simple figuring and naive expressive face. The body is all over chased with a charmingly realistic hairy finish. Weight 143 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Spread 14.7cm. Height 9.2cm (top of horns). London 1767. Maker John Schuppe. Sterling silver. 18th century.
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1773
John Lautier
8086 George III Silver Fox Stirrup Cup
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A beautifully modelled antique sterling silver stirrup cup in the form of a fox head. Fine features and lovely expressive face. Weight 147 grams, 4.7 troy ounces. Length 11.5 cm. Width 10 cm. English silver hallmarks on the rim for London 1773. Maker John Lautier.
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Circa 1795
9791 George III Old Sheffield Plate Globe Inkstand
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A rare and collectible conversation piece made in Old Sheffield plate. This elegant novelty inkstand, made to sit on an 18th century Englishman’s desk, is in the form of a globe and by pressing down the top finial the two flaps open to reveal four Bristol blue glass bottles. Two bottles are for ink, one for pounce (a fine powder to dry the ink) and a fourth to keep spare nibs. The centre rim is decorated with swags and lions masks. Height 27cm. Diameter 14cm. Bottle height 5cm. Unmarked. Old Sheffield plate. Circa 1795.
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Circa 1820
10391 Antique Silver Charger
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A magnificent antique silver platter of heavy gauge, very ornately decorated with cherubs, animals, birds and mythical creatures interspersed with classical ornament. To the centre there is a noble figure mounted on horseback. Traces of the original gilding to the outside border. Weight 2262 grams, 71.7 troy ounces. Diameter 47 cm. Height 5.5 cm. Stamped with a continental mark on the rim. Circa 1820.
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1829
Thomas Wimbush
10406 George IV Antique Silver Soup Tureen
£12,500>
An outstanding antique silver tureen with matching domed cover. Large and impressive; excellent size for serving soup, casseroles and vegetables. Fantastic weight and very fine quality. The oval bellied shape is applied with stunning cast silver handles and oak and acorn foliate shaped feet; the lid handle is cast in the form of a lion rampant. Hand engraved armorials to the front and reverse of the body and lid for the Honorable East India Company and the Bosanquet family. Heavy gauge silver. Good colour. Weight 4,735g, 152.2 troy oz. Spread across handles 43cm. Height 26cm (total, 23cm (top of handle). London 1829. Maker Thomas Wimbush. Sterling silver.
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1834
William Barber
9978 Antique Silver Jug
£695>
A magnificent antique sterling silver cream jug with a bright gilt interior; the handle formed as two intertwined serpents. To the front and back there are classical scenes of the god Neptune with sea horses and mermen. Weight 355 grams, 11.4 troy ounces. Height 9.5cm (to top of handle). Width 11.5cm. Spread 15.8cm. London 1834. Maker William Barber. Sterling silver.
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1846
Edward Barnard & Sons
9822 Antique Silver Cream Pail
£650>
A good quality antique silver cream pail with swing handle and gadroon borders. Very pretty and multi purpose. The charmingly pierced decoration shows a cow grazing in the forest with flying birds, a house, beehive, and windmill. With removable blue glass liner. Weight of silver 174 grams, 5.5 troy ounces. Height 8cm, 12cm with handle. Diameter 7.3cm. London 1846. Maker John, Edward, Walter & John Barnard (Barnard & Sons Ltd).
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1848
Charles‚ Thomas and George Fox
9413 Antique Silver Owl Mustard Pot
£3,850>
A fine and rare antique sterling silver novelty mustard pot in the form of an owl. With realistically chased plumage, a hinged cover and red glass button eyes. Fitted with a blue glass liner. Weight 184 grams, 5.9 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms. Diameter 6.3 cms. London 1848. Maker Charles Thomas & George Fox.
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Circa 1850
9718 Antique Silver Dog Collar
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A 19th century silver dog collar with green leather lining. Adjustable to 2 different sizes with a retaining padlock and two bells. Hand engraved with scroll decoration. Diameter 9.5cm and 9 cm. Unmarked silver – tested. Probably English. Circa 1850.
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1861
George Angell
8658 Antique Silver Model Chariot and Horses
£6,750>
An outstanding piece of decorative silver. An antique sterling silver pair of galloping horses pulling a wheeled chariot. All mounted on a heavy solid silver base with naturalistic decoration, standing on four turned wooden feet. Excellent quality and good heavy weight. Weight 1506 grams, 48.4 troy ounces. Height 15.5cm. Base 33 x 16cm. London 1861. Maker George Angell.
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1869
Charles Stuart Harris
9353 Victorian Silver Dog Pepper
£975>
A charming novelty sterling silver pepperette in the form of Punch and Judy’s dog “Toby”. Wearing his distinctive trademark bowler hat and the ruffle collar with tassles. Detachable head and glass eyes. Underneath there is a Victorian lozenge registration mark. Total weight 58 grams, just under 2 troy ounces. Height 10 cm. London 1869. Maker Charles Stuart Harris.
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Circa 1880
Johann S Kurz
8654 Antique Silver Knights on Horse Back
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A fantastic pair of antique German silver table ornaments in the form of large model knights in armour, each astride a galloping horse. Gilded silver (slightly worn) with jewelled beads. The knights have carved bakalite faces and helmets with hinged visors which can be opened and closed; in the right hand they each hold a jousting pole, or lance, and in the left they clasp the horse’s reins. The models are very intricate with many separate pieces assembled together. The bases have a naturalist finish. Although similar in size and stance, these models have slight differences. One horse carries a plume on the crest of its head whereas the other sports a bird figure on the head. Weight 1405 and 1411 grams, total weight 2816 grams, 90.5 troy ounces. Height 25 and 25.5cm. Spread 20cm excluding the lance. Base 16 x 8cm. Maker Johann S Kurz. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1880.
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Circa 1880
10372 German Antique Silver Beaker
£1,550>
A 19th century continental silver drinking cup of bell form, with deep embossed decoration, standing on 3 ball feet. Good gauge silver. Around the beaker is a very charming scene of Diana, the mythical Greek goddess of hunting, in her chariot drawn by a pair of stags. Contains 450ml. Weight 189g, 6 troy ounces. Height 12.5cm. Diameter 9.8cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1880.
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Circa 1880
10399 Antique Silver and Enamel Centrepiece
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A fine continental silver and rock crystal centrepiece representing the Birth of Venus. The silver has coloured enamel detail and the figural work is excellent. Fantastic large size and complete with the original leather carrying case. The central stem is modelled as a silver merman holding a rock crystal sphere containing an enamel seascape representing Venus emerging from a shell. The orb, with silver and enamel mounts, supports a merman blowing a horn. Height 33cm. Diameter of base 12.2cm. Probably Austrian. Late 19th century.
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1896
Edwin Thompson Bryant
9268 Antique Silver Model Horse and Rider
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A large and substantial figure of a silver rider on horseback. Excellent quality and heavy gauge. Original gilt finish and jewelling to the clothing and horse harness. Natural stone base. The model is very intricate with many separate pieces assembled together. The head is removable. Weight 1180 grams, 37.9 troy ounces. This weight excludes the onyx base and the two silver hallmarked screw caps. It includes the weight of the two screws soldered to the bottom of the back hooves. Height 28 cm (from base to top of head). Base height 3 cm, length 24 cm, width 13 cm. Marked on the head, harness and horse tail with London import marks for 1896, maker Edwin Thompson Bryant.
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Circa 1900
8949 Antique Bronze Dog
£950>
A striking figure of a dog raised on hind legs with one foot supported by an oval specimen of Blue John*. The modelling is very realistic. Raised on a marble resin base. Height 17.5 (total), 12.5 cms (dog) cms. Base 10.5 x 5.8 cms. Unsigned. Probably English. 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
10195 Antique Silver Fish
£7,500>
This giant silver fish box is larger than life. An excellent quality model fish, beautifully articulated, and with naturalistic engraved detail and scales. The head opens to reveal a storage box. Stunning large size. Pale gilt finish and blue enamelled eyes. The bottom fins serve also as stand supports. Weight 2180 grams, 70 troy ounces. Length 72.5 cm. Height 12 cm (to top of fin). Continental silver marks for Hanau, Germany. Circa 1900. German silver fineness is usually 800/1000. 19th century.
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Circa 1900
Georg Roth
10250 Antique Silver Model Elephant
£1,650>
A charming model of an elephant with a beautiful expressive face. Medium size. Very realistic. He’s modelled in a slow lumbering pose, very relaxed, with his trunk and tusks outstretched. The figural quality of the workmanship is excellent. Weight 247 grams, 7.9 troy ounces. Height 9cm. Spread 25.7cm. Hanau, Germany. Retailer Georg Roth & Co. Circa 1900.
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1906
Britten Gould & Co
8814 Antique Silver Hedgehog Pin Cushion
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Very collectible sewing item. A lovely antique sterling silver hedgehog or porcupine pin cushion. Cleverly designed so that you can put the pins in the holes to form the spines of the animal. It still has the original cotton wool stuffing inside. Weight 10 grams. Length 4.5 cms. Birmingham 1906. Maker Britten Gould & Co.
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Circa 1910
Georg Roth
10217 Antique Silver Table Birds
£4,450>
A fine pair of antique silver table ornaments modelled as game birds with long feathered tails and removable heads with coloured glass eyes. Large size and excellent weight. These pheasants are very realistic and have fine chased detail. Weight 1152 grams, 37 troy ounces. Male bird height 18cm, length 49 cm. Female bird height 16.7cm, length 47cm. Maker Georg Roth. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1910. 800 silver purity.
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Circa 1920
7499 Antique Estonian Silver Cigarette Case
£595>
A handsome antique silver cigarette case with a large embossed plaque of a horse to the front. Original gilt interior and stone mounted catch. Good heavy quality and useful large size. Weight 163 grams, 5.2 troy ounces. Height 11 cm. Width (closed) 8 cm. Marked inside on both flaps with Estonian silver stamps. Circa 1920.
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Circa 1950
9912 Antique Silver Ostriches
£1,650>
A pair of antique silver model birds with finely detailed feathering and beautiful modelling. Each ostrich has the typical long neck and quirky features you’d expect from this popular bird species. Good weight and colour. Total weight 925 grams, 29.7 troy ounces. Height 17cm. Spread 15cm. Marked on the feet with the continental silver mark “800”. Probably German. Maker “SWW”. Circa 1950.
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1991
Wakely & Wheeler
7145 Vintage Silver Model Horse and Jockey
£550>
A good model of a horse and rider in sterling silver. On the original wooden plinth. Height 10.5 cm. Length 12 cm. Total height including plinth 17 cm. London 1991. Maker Wakely & Wheeler.