Specialist Collecting

1876

8099 Antique Russian Silver and Niello Cigarette Case
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A good quality antique silver cigarette case with niello decoration and original gilt interior. The top has a spirited picture of a 3 horse drawn troika. Weight 155 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Top measures 11 x 6.75 cms. Height 3.5 cms. Marked inside top and bottom with Russian silver marks. Dated 1876.
Circa 1880

8831 Antique French Gold Metal Magnifying Glass
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A decorative antique eye glass or monocle with a swivel end. Can be worn on a chain. Length 8.3 cms. Width 4.1 cms. Gold cased (gold on metal probably brass). French. Circa 1880.
1880

6762 Antique Continental Silver and Rock Crystal Reliquary
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A 16th century style silver church reliquary (often called a philatory when transparent) of tall slim design with an oval shaped rock crystal container. With decorative borders and interesting applied mounts of bears, lady’s head masks and cherubs. Height 26.5 cms. Diameter 8.25 cms (top), 10.75 cms (base). Marked with continental silver stamps (indistinct) to the top and underneath. Probably Nuremberg, Germany. Circa 1880.
Circa 1880

6854 Antique Silver Dog Whistle
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A very charming novelty silver whistle modelled with the head of a dog, probably a bulldog or a pug, complete with a collar and a small chain loop. With the name “Elise” engraved to the whistle end. Weight 21 grams. Length 4.6 cms. Unmarked continental silver. Circa 1880.
Circa 1880

6958 Antique Silver and Cranberry Glass Cup and Cover
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A beautiful antique Bohemian glass vase with engraved panels around the body with architectural scenes. The front panel contains the figure of a Greek deity and there are names etched below the panels. The silver lid is mounted with an entwined serpent and an inset piece of mother of pearl. Height 15.5 cms. Diameter of top 7.5 cms. The lid is marked on the edge with “TF”. Austro Hungarian. Circa 1880.
1880
John Septimus Beresford
9994 Antique Silver Tea Caddies
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A magnificent pair of antique silver tea caddy boxes of cannister form with lift off lids. Large size and good gauge silver. Gilt finish. Britannia standard silver. The body is beautifully ornamented with cherubs, swags, acanthus leaf and other classical motifs on a hand chased matted background. Each box has an armorial engraved to the front and a monogram of old fashioned initials to the reverse. Total weight 841 grams, 27 troy ounces. Height 16.7m. Base 8 x 8cm. London 1880. Maker John Septimus Beresford.
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.
1881
Sampson Mordan & Co
9372 Antique Silver Frog Peppers
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A rare and excellent quality pair of novelty silver pepperettes modelled in the form of crouching frogs. The chased decoration is very fine, crisp and realistic. Bead eyes. The pepper pours from the pierced holes representing the frog’s nostrils and wind sac. The pepper is filled via a screw cover to the underside. Total weight 171 grams, 5.4 troy ounces. Length 6.7cm. Width 4.5 cm. London 1881. Maker Sampson Mordan.
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
Sibray‚ Hall & Co
8011 Victorian Presentation Shovel
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Superb quality antique silver commemorative shovel with carved mahogany handle. Very interesting railway inscription. The decorative silver mounts have intricate engraved borders and deeply chased decoration with flowers and leaves. Length 88cm. Width 19cm. London 1884. Maker Sibray, Hall & Co.
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.
1886

8613 Queen Anne Style Silver Bowl
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A handsome antique sterling bowl in the early 18th century style with lions mask side handles, typical ribbed body decoration and decorative cartouches. The shaped rim was monteith style which was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer (the top of an original monteith is also detachable). To the front there is an engraved crest of a standing cat with the motto “Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove”*. To the front there is a presentation inscription**. Weight of silver 1321 grams, 42.4 troy ounces. Height 20 cms, diameter 25 cms. London 1886. Maker Sibray Hall & Co.
1888
William Neal
8297 Victorian Gentleman's Combination Whistle Vesta
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A Victorian sterling silver gentleman’s vesta case, with a vertical ribbed decoration, having a hinged lid with striker to one end, and a whistle to the other end. Weight 30 grams, 1 troy ounce. Length 7 cms. Width 2.5 cms. Marked inside lid and on the body for Chester 1888. Maker William Neale.
1888
Thomas Johnson
9402 Antique Silver Coin Tankard
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A rare antique sterling silver coin tankard with Chinese coins and an interesting inscription from (most likely) the exclusive little Bowling Club No. 49 Nanking Road, Shanghai. Contains 760 ml. Weight 622 grams, 20 troy ounces. Height 19.3 cm (to thumbpiece). Diameter 9.8 cm. Spread 16.6 cm. London 1888. Maker Thomas Johnson.
Circa 1890

8346 Antique French Silver and Enamel Lorgnette
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An attractive antique silver and niello enamel folding magnifying glass or eyeglass with a spring clip. This attractive black and white checked niello decoration originated from Russia in the 10th century. Length 12.3 cms. Spread across the lenses 10 cms. Diameter of lense frame 4 cms. Marked with the silver grade “935” between the lenses and with a French control mark on the carrying loop. French. Circa 1890.
1890
Hukin & Heath
7125 Victorian Silver Plated Travelling Picnic Set
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From a design by Dr Christopher Dresser. An antique silver plated automobile set beautifully arranged with many of the pieces slotting inside each other. All in the original leather covered carrying case. Each piece with an engraved monogram and crest. There is a similar set by Dr Christopher Dresser in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (see photos). Kettle height 9 cms (14.5 cms with handle), contains 1 pint. Teapot height 7.5 cms, contains half a pint. Stamped underneath with silver plate stamps for Hukin and Heath, a design number and a Victorian registration mark. Circa 1890.

1 kettle of cauldron form with rattan-covered handle and domed cover, containing a tea canister and a burner
1 teapot with rattan handle, containing a gilded beaker and glass container with screw cover and fitted stopper
1 flask with screw cap
2 circular boxes with screw on lids
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

9651 Antique Silver and Pearl Card Case
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A collector’s item. A fabulous Victorian visiting card case covered with iridescent mother of pearl tiles. The corners and central cartouche have engraved sterling silver mounts. Perfect to use for business cards. The front is engraved with butterflies and flowers. The push button opens the case to display a fan shaped interior (original blue satin and concertina fittings) with a separate slot for each card. Measures 11 x 7.6 cm. Height 1.5 cm. English. Circa 1890.
1890

9663 Victorian Silver and Enamel Vesta Case
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A good quality antique silver vesta case of rectangular form with flat hinged lid, the face enamelled in monochrome to resemble a calling card with the name ‘Charles H. Herbert’. The reverse uninscribed. Marked inside the flap “APPAY Palais Royal, Paris”. Weight 38 grams. Length 5.9cm. Width 3cm. Height 5cm. Similar to those made by Samson Mordan and James Fenton. English. Circa 1890. Unmarked silver.
Circa 1890

9722 Antique German Silver Jug – Napoleon
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A massive novelty silver jug in the form of Napoleon Bonaparte, the iconic French statesman and military leader. Suitable for wine, beer and water. Superb bright gilt finish and excellent quality modelling and chased detail. Napoleon is wearing full dress regalia, with epaulettes and the trademark bicorne hat, he is sitting on a military drum. Contains 1700 ml. Weight 996 grams, 32 troy ounces. Height 31.5cm. Spread 18.5cm. Diameter of drum 10cm. Stamped underneath with German silver marks (crown and moon) and the silver grade 800*. Maker “SB” crowned. Circa 1890.
Circa 1890

9886 Antique Enamel Opera Glasses
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An attractive 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 scarlet red enamel barrels each have a large hand painted portrait of a young woman, the flower head and foliate edged cartouche is painted in gilt and silver leaf. Measures – width 10cm, closed height 4.9cm, extended height 6cm. French. Circa 1890. Retailer’s mark for Chevalier, Paris.
1892
Joseph Braham
9061 Antique Silver Travelling Medical Set
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A useful Victorian sterling silver medical set consisting of a cup, pill dispenser and funnel which stack together neatly with a push on lid. Gilt interior. Weight 150 grams, 4.8 troy ounces. Height 8.5 cms. Diameter 5/3.3 cms. Cup, pill dispenser and lid – London 1892 maker Joseph Braham. Funnel London 1898.
1892
Francis Webb
9892 Antique Silver Pencil
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An antique silver propelling pencil, would have originally hung on a lady’s chatelaine or gentleman’s watch chain. Hexagonal shaped body with hand engraved decoration around the outside. The top is inset with a coloured stone. The central sliding band extends & retracts the internal pencil mechanism. Fully hallmarked on the side of the body. Length 3.9cm (closed), 5.3cm (extended). Birmingham 1892. Maker Francis Webb. Sterling silver.
1893
Mappin
8285 Antique Silver Top Hunting Flask
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An antique sterling silver mounted flask of conical shape with a fitted silver drinking cup with gilt interior. The top has a swivel bayonet fitting. Together with the original dark mahogany coloured leather case, the girth strap is attached so that the flask will sit on the near-side of the saddle. Flask height 27 cms, diameter of base 4.75 cms, contains 225 ml. London 1893. Maker John Newton Mappin (of Mappin & Webb).
1893

6292 Antique Silver Flask - Eton Harrow Cricket Match at Lords Cricket Ground
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A very collectible item. Of both sporting and military interest. A tall slim flask with a swivel top with safety lock mechanism and detachable drinking cup. This antique sterling silver drinking flask has an engraved presentation inscription “LORDS – Eton v Harrow – 1st Innings 28 – 2nd Innings 81 – 1899”. There is a personalized inscription to Francis Grenfell VC on the reverse. Weight 237 grams, 7.6 troy ounces. Height 23.5 cms. Diameter of base 4.75 cms. Birmingham 1893. Maker LG.
1893
George Unite
7083 Victorian Silver Trowel for Palmeira House in Hove
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An excellent quality antique sterling silver presentation trowel with an inscription to one side and a finely engraved image of Palmeira House (see detailed description) to the other. Would make an ideal cake slice. Length 34 cms. Width 10.5 cms. London 1893. Maker George Unite.
1896
Harris Brothers
8221 Pair of Victorian Silver Vases
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Of horse racing interest. A superb pair of large antique sterling silver presentation vases with covers. Each trophy has a tall vase shape on a pedestal foot and flying side handles. The embossed decoration is particularly fine with ribbons and swags of harebells, there is a band of acanthus leaves around the bottom. Each side there is a plaited ribbon cartouche containing, to the front, a coat of arms with crest and to the back, a presentation inscription. These vases, or chestnut urns, are very large and suitable to stand a bottle inside. Weight 1784 grams and 1705 grams, total 3489 grams, 112.1 troy ounces. Height 40 cms with lid, 29.2 cms without lid. Spread across the handles 23 cms. Stamped with a full set of matching English silver hallmarks on each vase and each lid for London 1896. Maker Harris Brothers.
1896
Lawrence Emanuel
8669 Antique Novelty Silver Vesta Case – Wild Boar
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A rare sterling silver vesta case in form of a wild boar and having a snap top hinged lid and original gilded interior. Weight 14 grams, half a troy ounce. Measures 5.3 x 2.5 cms. Birmingham 1896. Maker Lawrence Emanuel.
Circa 1896

9490 Antique Indian Silver Bowl
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A large antique silver bowl with a deep relief embossed design of musicians and dancers in a forest surrounding a palace. Excellent weight. Around the top is a presentation inscription for the Calcutta Races 1896. Underneath there is an engraved flower design. Weight 1729 grams, 55.5 troy ounces. Height 19cm. Diameter of top opening 2.7cm, 17cm (top rim). Unmarked silver. Indian or Burmese. Circa 1896.
1897
Heath And Middleton
5486 Novelty Drum Biscuit Jar in Silver and Glass
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A highly unusual and very decorative novelty silver biscuit box in the shape of a drum, the lid having a drum stick as a handle. Sterling silver with a glass body. Height 12 cms. Diameter 12 cms. London 1897. Maker Heath and Middleton.
Circa 1900
Wang Hing
8901 Antique Chinese Silver Case
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Chinese Export silver. An excellent quality antique sterling silver cigarette case. The top is mounted with a full length dragon having a serpentine shaped body and breathing out fire. Beautiful workmanship. Hand beaten silver. Push button operation. Gilt interior. Engraved initials “CFU” to the top. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Top measures 14×9 cms. With Chinese silver marks for Wang Hing, Circa 1900.
Circa 1900

8993 Antique Chinese Silver Cigar Case
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An unusual antique silver case for three cigars beautifully decorated with an embossed dragon in deep relief. Weight 114 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Length 13 cms. Width 6.5 cms. Marked on the inside clip with Chinese silver stamps. Circa 1900.