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

Circa 1580

10187 Elizabeth I Antique Silver Bottle
Sold

A fantastic little collector’s item. A rare 16^th 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 16^th 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.
1665
William Goodwin
9117 Antique Charles II Miniature Silver Wine Taster
Sold

A rare early English toy wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. Very sweet size. This little cup has a circular form with simple wirework handles and an embossed leaf and flower design. Weight 13 grams. Height 1.5 cm approx. Diameter of top 5 cms. Spread across handles 7.6 cms. London 1665. Makers mark “W.G” (see Jacksons page 123*), possibly William Goodwin free 1654, died 1703 (attribution by Dr David Mitchell “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”).
Circa 1670

8131 Charles II Miniature Silver Wine Taster
Sold

A rare early English toy two-handled wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. With a simple plain form and wirework handles. This little cup has an excellent patina and hammered finish. Contains 10 ml approx. Weight 12 grams. Height 2 cms. Diameter of top 4.5 cms. Spread across handles 6.7 cms. Marked underneath with the makers mark only “WH conjoined, mullet below”. Mark entered 1670 (see Jacksons page 130*).
Circa 1680

10325 Antique Silver Table Trivet
Sold

An unusual 17th century miniature table of rectangular form standing on cabriole legs. A perfect display for a small tea set or pair of candlesticks. The solid wood top, with inset armorial plaque, is mounted with a silver framework. The underside still has the original claws to hold the wood in place and the pretty little wing nuts for the silver plaque; the remains of an old collector’s label can be seen in the corner. Top measures 26.2cm x 16.4cm. Height 6.3cm. Maker “GJ”. English, circa 1680. Provincial silver. Probably East Anglian.
1683
Samuel Hawkes
9523 Charles II Silver Wine Taster
Sold

A rare early English two-handled wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. With a simple plain form and wirework handles. Excellent patina and faint signs of the hand hammered finish. Owners initials inscribed underneath. Weight 27 grams, just under 1 troy ounce. Height 2.2 cm (bowl), 3.5 cm (to top of handle). Diameter of top 6.5 cm. Spread across handles 9.2 cm. London 1683. Maker’s mark “SH” within a heart shaped shield, probably Samuel Hawkes (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”).
Circa 1685 - 1720
George Manjoy
9764 Antique Silver Miniature Candle Snuffers
Sold

A delightful little collector’s piece. A rare antique silver wick trimmer miniature, also called a candle douter. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 6 grams, 0.19 troy ounces. Length 4.8 cm. Width 2.2 cm. Circa 1700. Maker George Manjoy (c.1685-c.1720), specialist toy maker (see Jackson’s Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland p.141).
Circa 1690
Mary Elliott
9630 William & Mary Antique Silver Nutmeg Grater
Sold

A William and Mary teardrop shape silver nutmeg grater with steel rasp. With a hinged lid either side. One lid is engraved with a tulip flower, the other has no engraving. Weight 37 grams, 1.1 troy ounce. Height 2 cm. Top 4.2 x 3 cm. Spread across the hinge 4.5 cm. Stamped inside of the lids with makers mark only “ME” conjoined between pellets, bird above, cinquefoil below, in lozenge shaped widow’s shield. Probably Mary Elliott. Circa 1690. Mark references Jackson 1989 p.144.04, David Mitchell “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”
Circa 1690

9638 William & Mary Antique Silver Miniature Porringer
Sold

A delightful little collector’s piece. A charming little antique silver cup with two side handles and the tulip decoration typical of the William & Mary period. The body has a border of hand chased fish scale and impressed tulip ornament, the base also has the tulip design within a prick dot circle. This is an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 30 grams, 1 troy ounce. Height 3.3cm, 3.6cm to top of handles. Spread 6.3cm. Diameter 4cm. Unmarked. No makers mark. English. Circa 1690.
Circa 1695

8202 Antique William III Miniature Silver Coffee Pot
Sold

A charming little antique silver toy coffee pot. This beautiful little side handle pot has a cylindrical tapering body, a conical lid surmounted by a ball finial, and a low spout akin to those more usually found on a chocolate pot. Engraved to the upper handle are the owner’s initials “C.P”. The pot looks like an exact copy of a full size original and the great attention to detail and slightly larger size than normal toys of this period indicate that it may well have been a traveller’s sample. Contains 20 ml. Weight 60 grams, 1.9 troy ounces. Height 8 cms. Spread 5 cms. Diameter of base 3.5 cms. Marked on the body with makers mark only “WP”* – noted for making toy cups and porringers (see Jacksons Welsh and Unascribed English Provincial section, page 521). Circa 1695.
1708
William Fleming
9443 Antique Miniature Silver Porringer
Sold

A delightful little collector’s piece. A charming little antique silver cup with two side handles and the typical half ribbed decoration of the Queen Anne period. The body has a border of fish scale and engraved flower ornament. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 19 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 3.3cm. Spread 7.5cm. Diameter 4.5cm. London 1708. Maker William Fleming.
1711
George Manjoy
9761 Queen Anne Miniature Silver Teapot
Sold

A delightful little collector’s piece. A rare antique silver teapot miniature with a simple scroll handle and pull off cover. Britannia standard silver*. Original lightly hammered finish. Weight 17 grams, 0.54 troy ounces. Height 4.9 cm. Spread 5.9 cm. London 1711. Maker George Manjoy, a specialist toy maker (see Jackson’s Silver & Gold Marks of England, Scotland & Ireland p.141).
Circa 1720

8223 Antique German Silver Spirit Funnel
Sold

A charming little antique silver funnel of single piece design without a pierced strainer. Funnels of this type were smaller in size and used for decanting liquor, or possibly perfume. Of plain form and having a simple band of hand engraved decoration around the top edge. Weight 32 grams, 1 troy ounce. Height 5.3 cm. Diameter 5.4 cm. Marked around the edge with German silver marks for the town Augsburg. Maker ‘S’ under 2 stars (Rosenberg page 202) Circa 1720.
Circa 1720

8869 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Chamberstick
Sold

A lovely little antique silver toy chamberstick with the long handle typical of the period. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Length 7.2 cms. Diameter 2.7 cms. Marked underneath with a Dutch makers mark*. Hoorn, Netherlands. Circa 1700.
1722
William Fleming
9414 Antique George I Miniature Silver Mug
Sold

A charming little antique silver toy mug or tankard of plain form with a simple scroll handle. Engraved to the front with a lion crest. The mug looks like an exact copy of a full size original and the great attention to detail and slightly larger size than normal toys of this period indicate that it may well have been a traveller’s sample. Weight 78 grams, 2.5 troy ounces. Height 6.1cm. Spread 7.3cm. Diameter 5cm. London 1722. William Fleming
Circa 1725
David Clayton
8861 Antique George I Silver Miniature Kettle
Sold

A charming little antique silver toy tea kettle. This beautiful little pot has a a circular form, a pull off lid and a hinged, raffia covered, carrying handle. The pot looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 36 grams, 1.1 troy ounces. Height 4 cms to top of lid, 6 cms to top of handle. Spread 6.8 cms. Marked underneath for David Clayton, specialist toy maker. Circa 1725.
Circa 1730

10115 George II Antique Silver Miniature Brandy Pan
Sold

A charming little antique silver toy saucepan of circular bellied form with a pouring lip and ebonised wooden handle. The pot looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Owner’s initials engraved underneath. Weight 14 grams, 0.5 troy ounce. Height 3cm. Spread 7cm. Diameter at the top 5.5cm. Maker’s mark “duck”. English. Circa 1730.
1764
Samuel Herbert And Company
9628 George III Antique Silver Sweetmeat Basket
Sold

A classic style antique sterling silver basket with swing handle. Small size, possibly a Georgian epergne basket. Attractive cut work design incorporating scroll, ring, star and flowerhead motifs. Hand engraved monogram to the centre. Weight 127 grams, 4 troy ounces. Height 4.2/10.5 cm. Length 14 cm. Width 12 cm. London 1764. Maker Samuel Herbert & Co.
1766

9623 George III Silver Sweetmeat Basket
Sold

A very pretty antique sterling silver swing handle basket of small size. Possibly a Georgian epergne basket. Lovely pierced design decorated with flowerheads and foliage. Cast and pierced handle. Owners initials engraved to the underside. Good weight 183 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Height 4.5/12 cm. Length 16.2 cm. Width 13.1 cm. London 1766. No visible makers mark.
1770
Sarah Buttall
9877 George III Silver Sweetmeat Basket
Sold

A very pretty antique silver swing handle basket of small size. Possibly a Georgian epergne basket. Attractive cutwork design decorated with flowerheads and other motifs. Cast and pierced handle. Weight 111 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Height 5.2/12.8cm. Length 15.2cm. Width 12.5cm. London 1770. Maker Sarah Buttall. Sterling silver.
1776
James Stamp
9631 George III Silver Sweetmeat Basket
Sold

A classical style antique sterling silver basket with twist design swing handle. Small size, possibly a Georgian epergne basket. With a cut work border and applied harebell swags with tassles. Weight 127 grams, 4 troy ounces. Height 5 cm/12 cm. Length 14.1 cm. Width 10.5 cm. London 1776. Maker probably James Stamp.
Circa 1790

10123 Dutch Antique Silver Miniature Kettle
Sold

A lovely little antique silver toy hot water kettle with a pull off lid and folding handle. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Height 4.2cm (handle extended), 3.2cm (handle folded). Probably made in the Netherlands. Circa 1790. Unmarked silver.
1793
Charles Aldridge & Henry Green
9639 George III Silver Sweetmeat Basket
Sold

An elegant antique sterling silver basket with twist design swing handle. Small size, possibly a Georgian epergne basket. With cut work borders and harebell trails. Height 4.9/12 cm. Length 15.4 cm. Width 13 cm. London 1793. Maker probably Charles Aldridge & Henry Green.
Circa 1820

10128 Dutch Antique Silver Miniature Coffee Pot
Sold

A lovely little antique silver toy coffee pot with a pull off lid and shaped wooden handle. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Height 7.5cm. Probably made in the Netherlands. Circa 1820. Unmarked silver.
1850

6412 Continental Silver Miniature Wager Cup
Sold

An antique silver model of a marriage cup having a queen in a crinoline dress with attractive decorative skirt and apron. Excellent quality and good weight. Small size. Parcel gilt. Weight 44 grams, 1.4 troy ounce. Height 10.25 cms. Diameter of base cup 3.5 cms. Stamped on the bottom of the skirt with continental silver marks. The small cup is stamped “13”. Circa 1850.
Circa 1850

10119 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Jug
Sold

A lovely little antique silver toy jug. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Height 2.5cm. Made in the Netherlands. Circa 1850.
Circa 1850

10133 Antique Dutch Silver Miniature Teapot
Sold

A lovely little antique silver toy teapot. It looks like an exact copy of a full size original. Weight 10 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 4cm. Spread 4.4cm. Made in the Netherlands. Circa 1850.
1898
Cornelius Saunders & Francis Shepherd
8348 Antique Miniature Silver Teapot Pepper
Sold

A nice little silver pepper pot in the form of a Victorian teapot. Typical late 19th century shape with oval tapering sides and straight spout. Gilt inside. The lid pulls off to fill with pepper. Weight 28 grams, just under 1 troy ounce. Height 4 cms. Spread of handle to spout 7. 2 cms. Base 4.2 x 3.4 cms. Chester 1898. Maker Saunders & Shepherd.
1900
Cornelius Saunders & Francis Shepherd
8347 Antique Miniature Silver Childs Toy Horse Pepper
Sold

A very rare example of a novelty silver pepper pot in the form of a child’s pull along toy. A very charming piece of collectors silver and fully functional. The pepperette is filled with pepper by removing the head. The pepper is poured from the chest of the horse. Even the wheels turn. The head and saddle are engraved with prick dots. Weight 21 grams. Height 5.2 cms. Length 4.2 cms. Chester 1900. Maker Saunders & Shepherd.
Circa 1900

10178 Antique Silver Miniature Chandelier
Sold

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.
1901
Cornelius Saunders & Francis Shepherd
8349 Antique Miniature Silver Coffee Pot Pepper
Sold

A nice little silver pepper pot in the form of a Queen Anne side handled coffee pot. Typical circa 1700 design with oval tapering sides, straight spout, and turned wooden side handle. Gilt inside. The lid pulls off to fill with pepper. Weight 26 grams, just under 1 troy ounce. Height 7.5cm. Spread 6.3cm. Diameter of base 3cm. Chester 1901. Maker Saunders & Shepherd.
1901
Horton & Allday
8392 Antique Silver Throne Pin Cushion
Sold

An unusual antique sterling silver pin cushion in the form of the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey in London. This was made in 1296 for King Edward I to enclose the famous Stone of Scone; the original is made of solid oak and stands on 4 gilt lions. Height 4 cms. Width 2.5 cms.Depth 1.25 cms. Birmingham 1901. Maker Horton & Allday. Sterling silver.
Circa 1920

6281 Miniature Silver Bird Cage
Sold

A pretty little silver bird cage with a model bird on a perch, complete with tall stand. A dolls house item. Weight 36 grams, 1.1 troy ounce. Height 13 cms. Unmarked silver. Probably continental. Circa 1920.