Miscellaneous

Here is the place to look for the unusual item which doesn’t “fit” any other category. This section also contains a selection of clocks, large decorative pieces and non-silver objects.

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Miscellaneous

Here is the place to look for the unusual item which doesn’t “fit” any other category. This section also contains a selection of clocks, large decorative pieces and non-silver objects.

Circa 1524

9787 Antique Italian Gilt and Silver Monstrance
£12,500

A rare medieval copper gilt and silver monstrance with a steeple top. The central section has a glass hinged door flanked either side by two niches containing the figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; the pillar tops are detachable. The knopped stem is mounted with 4 saint figures. The hexafoil foot, beautifully engraved and chased, is mounted with 3 silver discs engraved with Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint Sebastian. The underside bears an engraved inscription in old Italian, dated 1524, for the Italian church of San Piero di Porto di Legnago, near Verona. Height 38.5cm. Width 14.8cm. Italian. Date circa 1524. There are no silver marks which is normal for a religious article of such an early date.
Circa 1600

9461 Antique Continental Silver Processional Cross
£12,500

A rare early silver processional cross. The embossed silver has applied plaques to the front and reverse and a “corpus” (figural image of Christ’s body). Bright parcel gilt finish. Bronze terminals enhance the ornate form of the cross. Height 48.5cm including the metal rod support, 40.5cm without. Width 29cm. Unmarked. Probably Italian circa 1600.
Circa 1600 - 1620

10349 17th Century Antique Silver Pomander
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An intriguing piece of history contained in a small silver sphere. The antique silver pomander was worn round the neck or suspended from a belt and was intended to protect the wearer from sickness. The exterior of this example is hand engraved with royal portraits, probably English, based on engravings by Simon de Passe (c. 1595 – 6 May 1647). The screw top unturns to release six hollow, hinged segments to contain dried flowers, spices and scented oils. The interior is decorated with scroll and hatched engraving. A similar example formed part of the prestigious David Little collection. Weight 22 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 3.9cm. Spread 5.6cm fully extended. Unmarked silver. Probably English. Circa 1600-20.
Circa 1650

10381 17th Century Silver Skull Pomander
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A fascinating piece of early silver steeped in history and symbolism. Modelled in the form of a skull, this early German silver pomander has a segmented interior to contain fragrant spices. Originally a talisman to ward off sickness and noxious odours, this exquisite item of jewellery could be worn round the neck or suspended from a belt. The skull opens into 2 hinged compartments, one side divided into 6 segments beneath a gilded cover engraved with spice names – Citron, Rosmarin, Rosen, Citron, Schlag, Canel, Negeln, the other side to contain a sponge soaked in the perfumed oils/spices. The screw post, on a later chain, holds the piece tightly together. Weight 31g, 1 troy oz. Height 3/2.2cm. Spread 4cm open, 3.1cm closed. Probably German. Circa 1600-20. Unmarked silver.
1675 - 1679
Marx Schaller
9789 Antique German Silver Tea Cannister
£6,500

A 17^th century German parcel-gilt silver caddy of barrel shape. With a screw top lid and drop ring handle. Beautifully made and very tactile to hold. Suitable for tea and sugar. Raised on four ball feet, the box is decorated throughout with silver lobes against a matted gilt background. Weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces. Height 11.5cm (to the top), 15cm (to top of handle). Stamped on the top and underside of body with German silver marks and assay scrape for Augsburg, Germany. Maker Marx Schaller II. Circa 1675-79. See Rosenburg German silver marks for Augsburg page 127.
Circa 1690
Charles Eystone
10394 William & Mary Antique Silver Miniature Chamber Pot
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A charming little doll’s house piece. This rare miniature antique silver potty is made of hand beaten sheet silver with a simple scrolled handle. It dates to the second half of the 1600’s. Weight 13g, less than half a troy oz. Spread 4.9cm. Diameter 3.4cm. Height 2.5cm (to top of handle). London, circa 1690. Maker Charles Eystone. Sterling silver.
Circa 1690 - 1710

10424 Late 17th Century Antique Silver Scent Bottle
£975

A charming little continental silver scent bottle in the form of a medieval pilgrim flask complete with pull off stopper and hanging chains. Made of unmarked silver, circa late 17th/early 18th century, with traces of the original mercury gilt finish. The oval body is chased with birds and bouquets of flowers; the top is cast in the form of a basket of fruit. Weight 51g, 1.6 troy oz. Height 7.8cm, 3ins. Continental, probably German. Circa 1700. Unmarked silver.
1691
Benjamin Bathurst
10172 William & Mary Antique Silver Mirror
£6,750

A large antique silver toilet mirror of rectangular form with a traditional gadroon border and smart, clean lines. Excellent size. Would look amazing as a wall mirror. The reverse side has wall hanging hooks and also the wooden easel stand for use as a dressing mirror. Height 54cm. Width 46.8cm. London 1691. Maker Benjamin Bathurst. Sterling silver.
1701 - 1720
David Greene
10384 George I Antique Silver Bell
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A rare early English silver hand bell from the early 1700’s. Lovely plain style with concentric bands around the centre and bottom rim. Heavy cast silver. Weight 207g, 6.6 troy oz. Height 13.3cm. Diameter 6.7cm. Owner’s initials “MP” engraved to the top of the handle. London circa 1701-1720. Maker David Green. Britannia Standard silver, 95.8% purity.
Circa 1710

9091 Antique Queen Anne Silver Pilgrim Flask
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A rare early English silver drinks flask of small size in the form of a medieval pilgrim flask. Plain form and heavy gauge silver with a screw-on top and pendant chain. There is a large decorative cartouche hand engraved to both sides with an armorial to the front (probably for Underhill of Stratford-upon-Avon) and a crest of a stag to the reverse. Weight 173 grams, 5.5 troy ounces. Height 13 cms. Width 8 cms. Unmarked English silver. Circa 1710. Illustrated in Michael Clayton’s Pictorial History of English & American Silver (see photos).
Circa 1720 - 1730

10437 George I Antique Gold Snuff Box
£8,750

A sumptuous early 18th century gold box of cartouche form with a hinged lid. The top panel is chased with the classical goddess Diana reclining in a forest setting with an Apollo mask above. The shaped side panels are decorated with dogs and birds. There is an old German or Austrian collector’s label attached inside. Supplied with later fitted blue box.
Weight 68g, 2 troy oz approx. Width 6.5cm, 2.5ins. English, Dutch or German. Circa 1725. Solid gold, high grade probably 18 or 22ct.
Circa 1750

9674 Antique Silver Perpetual Calendar Snuff Box
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An 18th century silver snuff box with rotating dials to both sides. Very charming and retains the interior gilding. The panels have scrolled flower and chased decoration. The top side has the rotatable “Calendarium Perpetuum” which shows the days of the week (in old German script, and marked with their planetary signs) against days of the month. The reverse side has seven readout windows described by the headings on the rotatable disk (in old German script) – 1) month of the year with its number of days, 2) the important saints’ and feast days in the month, 3) sun’s Zodiacal position (represented by amusing little hand engraved zodiac symbols), 4) length of day, 5) length of night, 6) time of sun rise, and 7) time of sunset. A good example in very good condition. 126 grams, 4 troy ounces. Length 8.4cm. Width 5.5cm. Height 2cm. German. Probably 18^th century circa 1750. Unmarked silver.
1752
Samuel Herbert And Company
9504 George II Silver Caddies in a Box
£6,750

An excellent quality pair of antique sterling silver tea caddies and matching covered sugar bowl with gilt interior. All with cast silver bird finials and contained in a fitted Sheraton period wooden box with coloured flower and foliage inlays. The deeply embossed and chased silver decoration is particularly attractive and each caddy has a fine hand engraved coat of arms to the front. Heavy weight. The two caddies, for green and black tea, have the original lift off tops now drilled with holes to convert them into sugar shakers (muffinieres). Total weight of 3 boxes 882 grams, 28.3 troy ounces. Sugar casters height 15.5cm. Sugar bowl height 14cm, diameter 10.3cm. London 1752. Maker S Herbert & Co..
Circa 1780

10236 18th Century Antique Silver Etui
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An attractive little travelling set in a clip top silver case of tapering rectangular form. The embossed decoration is very charming with a village scene, 2 dogs and a goose. The interior is fitted with a penknife, scissors and pencil. Length 8.8cm. Width 3.3cm. Unmarked. Continental. Circa 1780.
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 18^th 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.
Circa 1800

7091 Georgian Cut Steel Purse
£145

A delightful little cut steel purse with excellent quality metalwork. To each side there is an ornate, pierced and engraved steel panel and to the front there is an inset polychrome painting on glass with a maritime scene. The interior is made of red leather and silk. This piece has suffered damage over the years but still remains a very charming and collectible piece. Length 7 cm. Width 5 cm. Unmarked. Circa 1800.
1815
Phipps Robinson & Phipps
9452 Georgian Silver Horns
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Of sporting interest. A rare pair of sterling silver mounted hunting horns, each bearing the crest of a lion on an oval plaque. The mouthpieces are probably later. They play beautifully. Spread 26cm. Top measures 7×5.8cm. London 1815. Maker Phipps, Robinson & Phipps.
Circa 1840

10124 Antique Silver Plated Table Lamps
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A handsome pair of 19th century antique silver on brass oil lamp bases, now mounted as electric table lamps. Excellent quality design with Corinthian capitals, tall reeded columns and square plinths applied with laurel wreaths. The bases retain their original cast iron stability weights. Early Victorian. Height 58cm (63cm with electrical fitting). Width of base 16.5cm. Circa 1840. Unmarked. These lamps are being sold as decorative items only and have no electrical wiring.
Circa 1850

9718 Antique Silver Dog Collar
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A 19^th 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.
Circa 1850

10276 Antique Silver Whistle
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Of nautical interest and highly collectible. An antique silver bosuns whistle of traditional curved design with a hand engraved wriggle work design. Complete with suspension ring. Weight 13 grams. Length 10.2cm. English, circa 1850. Sterling silver. 19^th century.
Circa 1860

9624 Antique Scottish Silver Snuff Mull
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An antique horn snuff mull with a broad silver mount embossed with thistles. The hinged lid is inset with a large citrine gemstone. Spread 14.5 cm. Diameter 6.5 cm. Unmarked silver. Probably Scottish circa 1860.
1863
Pittway Brothers
9842 Antique Silver Shaving Brush
£375

A good quality gentleman’s silver shaving brush which dismantles for travelling. Beautifully engraved. Real badger hair brush. The workmanship is excellent and the piece dismantles and screws back perfectly. Total weight 58 grams (includes the brush), under 2 troy ounces. Length 8.8cm, 14.5cm extended. Diameter 2cm. London 1863. Made by Pittway Bros.
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.
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.
Circa 1880

10411 Antique French Gilt Lorgnette
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A very attractive antique eye glass (or lorgnette) with an intricate decorated handle. Can be worn on a chain. Length 7.5cm. Width 4.2cm. Gold cased (gold on metal probably brass). Unmarked. French. Circa 1880.
1881
Hunt & Roskell
9721 Victorian Silver Gilt Mirror
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A fine antique silver gilt dressing mirror of waisted form surmounted by two large putti flanking a monogrammed cartouche. The whole frame has magnificent applied decoration in the rococo revival style; the cast pendant floral sprays to the border are particularly stunning. The wooden easel back has hanging hooks and wire. Height 58.5cm. Width 41cm. London 1881. Maker Hunt & Roskell, late Storr & Mortimer. Numbered 8158. Sterling silver.
Circa 1883

9569 Victorian Presentation Shovel
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Excellent quality antique commemorative shovel with ebonised and carved wooden handle. Silver plated. Life size. Presentation inscription to the front of the spade. The decorative mounts have intricate engraved borders, the deeply chased decoration with flowers and leaves. Length 89 cms. Width 18 cms. Stamped on the reverse with silver plate marks for S. Hart & Co. Circa 1883.
1884

9646 Antique Enamel Opera Glasses
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A beautiful pair of antique opera glasses made of gilt brass metal and enamel. The binocular tops and extension knob are made of real mother of pearl. The pink enamel barrels are covered in gilt stars and have beaded cartouches and borders containing hand painted sprays of multi coloured flowers. The underside is inscribed “REG Armstrong 14.August 1884”. Measures – width 10.4 cm, closed height 6.3 cm, extended height 8.5 cm. Probably French. Circa 1884. Retailer’s mark Sharman D Neill, Belfast.
Circa 1890

9629 Antique German Silver Spice Tower
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Of Jewish interest. A large continental silver spice box in the form of a medieval tower with a turret surmounted by a cockerel. All over gilded. The top 2 sections, each containing a bell, sit above the spice box which has pierced and engraved decoration. The box has a drop-down door with scroll catch. Weight 286 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 32 cm. Continental silver marks. Possibly Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890

9905 Antique Gold and Enamel Pencil
£225

A good quality late Victorian small 9 carat gold and enamel telescopic propelling pencil with attached suspension ring, a deep blue coloured guilloche enamel sleeve, and bullet shaped telescopic pencil with reeded barrel. Length 3cm (closed), 6.1cm (open). Maker “E.B”. England. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890

9947 Antique Silver Mounted Ostrich Egg
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A 19^th century silver mounted ostrich egg with pedestal foot; the top having a finial in the form of a model ostrich bird. The silver is lavishly decorated with flowing scrolls, rosettes and foliate detail. Height 29cm to top of finial. Unmarked silver. Probably Indian circa 1890.
Circa 1890
Gebruder Gutgesell
10140 Antique Silver Owl Decanter
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A fantastic antique coconut cup finely modelled in the Renaissance style as an owl with hinged wings and figural strapwork. The silver head, with large cut paste eyes surrounded by tuffs of feathers, is detachable and can be used as a drinking cup. The silver base is intricately modelled as a rocky outcrop mounted with applied insects and amphibians. Total weight, including coconut, 1025 grams. Height 29.5cm. Spread across the wings 19cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890. Maker Gebruder Gutgesell. Silver grade 875/1000.