Table Silver

Antique silver is one of the oldest and most rewarding collecting fields. What could be more enjoyable than to gradually build a selection of quality silverware to use at mealtimes and decorate the dining table?

There is a dazzling choice of antique silver bowls, dishes and baskets to choose from in many differing styles from baroque, rococo and classical through to Regency and Victorian. Dinner plates and serving trays were usually made for grand households and often come with finely engraved coats of arms. Smaller pieces such as silver sauce boats and condiments are an ideal starting point for the collector and items such as table salts, silver peppers and mustard pots are always popular.

Silver table cutlery is available in a wide variety of patterns and can be bought in complete sets or built up piece by piece. Before the 18th century the only items of table silver made in any quantity were spoons. Forks were rare prior to the 18th century and sets of table cutlery only started to become available from the late 18th century.

In many countries the art of table decoration is highly prized and nothing can be more beautiful than an antique centrepiece bowl filled with fresh flowers or a silver table epergne gracefully decked with sweets and candies. Smaller accessories, such as menu holders, napkin rings, cutlery rests and spoon trays, will add the finishing touches to a table display. Silver table birds make a marvellous talking point.

Table Silver

1625
Robert Profit
9989 Charles I Antique Silver Bowl
£5,950

An extremely early date. A rare antique silver porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. The straight sided shape with a simple rim is the earliest type and in keeping with the early date. Small proportions and very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Prick marked on the edge of the rim with the initials “MC”. Weight 108 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Diameter 10.3cm. Height 3.5 cm. Spread 14cm. London 1625. Maker “RP” possibly Robert Profit (David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”).
1643
Arent Verstege
10201 Antique Dutch Silver Jug
£3,350

An extremely rare antique silver jug dating from the 1600’s with a cast, shaped handle and superb decoration with embossed cherubs’ heads and bunches of fruit. Very heavy quality and feels good in the hand. Deep bright gilding throughout. Originally an altar cruet jug for wine and/or water. Weight 226 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 15cm. Spread 10.3cm. Foot diameter 6.7cm. Haarlem 1643. Maker Arent Verstege. 17th century.
1667
William Norman
9673 Charles II Gilt Silver Salver on Foot
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An outstanding piece of early English silver. A rare antique silver tazza, dating from Charles II period, having a plain form, thick gadroon borders, and a bright gilt finish. To the centre is a large, hand engraved coat of arms within a plumage feathers cartouche, very typical of the period. The quality of the piece is excellent and the finish is very crisp. Weight 1135 grams, 36.4 troy ounces. Diameter 33cm. Height 6.2cm. Sterling silver. London 1667. Maker “WN ”, probably William Norman* (courtesy of Dr David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). Maker “WN ”, probably William Norman* (courtesy of Dr David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). There is a gilt salver on foot by Norman in the Duke of Portland’s collection catalogued in 1935.
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.
Circa 1680

9855 17th Century Continental Silver Pomander
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A fascinating piece of history contained in a small silver globe. This antique silver pomander of spherical form has all-over chased decoration of flowers & leaf-scrolls in low relief. The screw top unturns to release the six numbered, hinged segments with sliding covers, the interior with hand engraved flowers. The foot unscrews to reveal a secret hollow compartment. Weight 89 grams, 2.8 troy ounces. Height 6.5cm. Spread 9cm fully extended. The pomander is made of unmarked silver It is quite usual for a small article of this date to be unmarked. Probably Dutch. Circa 1680.
1680
Thomas Cory
9904 Charles II Silver Bowl
£2,850

An early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form and shallow bellied shape. Small proportions and very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets.The handle is prick marked “I*C 1681 M”. Weight 104 grams, 3.3 troy ounces. Diameter 10.4cm. Height 3.6 cm. Spread 15.4cm. London 1680. Maker Thomas Cory. Sterling silver.
1683
Samuel Hawkes
9523 Charles II Silver Wine Taster
£1,750

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

9779 Antique Dutch Silver Brandy Bowl
£1,650

An antique Dutch silver bowl with lobed decoration and cast pierced handles showing three children climbing on a grape vine. Good large size. Weight 213 grams, 6.8 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Spread 24.21cm. Diameter 14.3cm. Dutch silver marks for Haarlem 1740.
1689

9261 Antique Silver Trefid Spoon
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A good antique sterling silver spoon, the oval bowl with incised and beaded rat tail heel, the flat stem with a trefid pattern terminal. William & Mary period. Hand hammered finish. Owners initials to the front and back. Weight 51 grams, 1.6 troy ounces. Length 20cm. Bowl 7×4.6cm. Makers mark ‘IL’ over a mullet, within a shield. London 1689.
1689
Seth Lofthouse
9940 William & Mary Antique Chinoiserie Silver Porringer
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A fascinating and rare piece of chinoiserie silver. This early English antique sterling silver porringer, or side handled cup, is flat chased with an exuberant oriental scene incorporating Chinese people and exotic birds. The large bowl, of circular form with flared lip, is ideal for use as a drinking cup or for displaying flowers. Weight 482 grams, 14.4 troy ounces. Height 12.3cm. Diameter 14cm. Spread across the handles 21.5cm. London 1689. Maker Seth Lofthouse. Sterling silver.
1690

9997 William & Mary Antique Silver Nutmeg Grater
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A charming little late 17^th century silver nutmeg grater of teardrop form, one side fitted with a serrated rasp. Each side has a hinged lid with stand-away hinge. Both covers are hand engraved with simple foliate decoration. Weight 29 grams, 0.9 troy ounce. Height 2.5 cm. Top 3.7 x 2.9 cm. Total spread across the covers 8.3cm. Unmarked silver. English. Circa 1690.
Circa 1690
Heinrich Eichler
10107 Antique German Silver Wine Taster
£950

A pretty little 17th century silver dish of oval form with scalloped sides and shaped side handles. Gilt finish to the interior and outside top rim. The centre, with the flower decoration typical of the period and embossed star design, retains a silver finish. Weight 76 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Top measures 11.1 x 9.9cm. Width across handles 13.2cm. Height 2.2cm, 3.1cm to top of handle. Augsburg, Germany. Maker Heinrich Eichler. Circa 1690.
1696
Thomas Jenkins
9781 William III Silver Bowl
£3,750

An early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. Very charming with the original hand beaten finish. The shaped and pierced handle has initials hand engraved to the centre. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Weight 285 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Diameter 12.8 cm. Height 9.8 cm. Spread 14.5 cm. London 1696. Maker “TI two escallops between”* attributed to Thomas Jenkins (see Jackson’s “Silver & Gold Marks” and David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). Sterling silver.
1696
St John Hoyte
9964 William III Antique Silver Caster
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A late 17th century antique sterling silver muffineer in the traditional lighthouse design with a bayonet fitting, so typical of these very early casters. Excellent size and heavy quality, it feels good in the hand. Lovely patina. The base is plain styled with a gadrooned base, the top is simply pierced, the holes are quite large as crushed loaf sugar was still in use at this early date. Uninscribed.Weight 304 grams, 9.7 troy ounces. Height 19.5cm. Diameter of base 6.3cm. London 1686. Makers mark for St John Hoyte. Sterling silver
Circa 1698

9935 17th Century Silver Capstan Trencher Salt
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A rare antique Dutch silver salt cellar, late 17th century, of square base form with canted corners. The waisted stem is beautifully engraved and chased with scroll and scalework detail, with the engraved date ‘1698’ above and initials ‘I T’. The base and circular bowl have the embossed fluting typical of the circa 1700 period. Weight 111 grams,3.5 troy ounces. Height 6.3cm. Width of base 9cm. Probably Dutch. Makers mark “HS”. Circa 1698.
1702
Edward Ironside
9863 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tazza
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A very charming early silver footed salver with a thick gadroon border to the top and foot. Britannia standard silver*. There is a hand engraved crest of a stag to the centre. Weight 285 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Height 6.2cm. Diameter 20.1cm. London 1702. Maker Edward Ironside.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Bowl
£12,500

A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior. Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm. London 1706. Maker Isaac Dighton. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1709
Nathaniel Lock
10208 Queen Anne Antique Silver Dish
£5,500

An early English antique silver bowl with scalloped edge and unusually deep bowl with 16 segments. This form is usually called a strawberry dish or salad dish. Hand engraved to the centre is a family armorial, incorporating a swan, within a decorative cartouche. Britannia standard silver. Superb colour. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Height 5cm. Diameter 23.3cm. London 1709. Maker Nathaniel Lock.
1717
Samuel Hitchcock
9902 George I Silver Kitchen Pepper
£650

An early antique silver kitchen pepper with simple plain styling, having a ring handle, pull off lid and centre horizontal band. Weight 61 grams, 1.9 troy ounces. Height 8cm. Diameter of base 5.5cm. London 1717. Maker Samuel Hitchcock. Britannia standard silver.
1720
John Chartier
9746 Antique George I Silver Serving Dish
£9,750

A large and important piece of early English Britannia standard* silver. A Georgian silver meat plate, or serving platter, of shaped oval form with a broad applied gadroon border and decorative motifs. Made by John Chartier, an important Huguenot silversmith; his French influence is seen in the fleur de lys motifs around the border. Superb colour. Hand engraved to two sides with an armorial for Manners impaling Tollemache. Hand hammered finish on the back of the applied borders. Weight 2753 grams, 88.4 troy ounces. Length 52.5 cms. Width 37.5 cms. London 1720. Maker John Chartier.
Circa 1720 - 1740

9883 Early German Antique Silver Tazza
£2,750

An antique silver footed salver of plain circular form with a simple moulded border and a waisted pedestal foot. Excellent heavy quality. Hand engraved to the centre with a coat of arms flanked by a pair of dogs, surmounted by the coronet of a Count. The foot, with the original detachable screw, is now permanently attached to the top for stability. Weight 642 grams, 20.6cm. Diameter 23cm. Height 5.3cm. Stamped underneath to the centre with German silver marks for Hanover Altstadt, 1720-40. Maker’s mark “P.P”
1722
Joseph Clare
8155 George I Silver Bowl
£2,750

A charming antique sterling silver bowl with an applied wire rim and raised on a spreading foot. Good size. Very plain styling and excellent original colour. To one side there is a hand engraved crest of a boar and thistle. Underneath the bowl there is a scratch weight and owners initials “MF”. Weight 281 grams, 9 troy ounces. Height 8 cms. Diameter 16.8 cms. London 1722. Maker Joseph Clare I.
1723
Joseph Clare
9329 Antique George I Silver Salver
£1,850

An early English sterling silver salver of square form raised on shaped feet. This dainty size is often known as a waiter, perfect for standing a wine bottle or glass. To the centre is a hand engraved crest encircled by the motto “Ne Cede Malis”. Good colour. Weight 153 grams, 4.9 troy ounces. Width 14 cm. London 1723. Maker Joseph Clare.
1724
David Tanqueray
9622 Pair of George I Silver Chargers
£55,000

An outstanding lot. A rare pair of George I silver sideboard dishes of plain circular form with wide borders. Large size and good heavy weight. *Britannia standard silver. Excellent patina. The centres are finely engraved with armorials within a baroque cartouche of strapwork and foliage, a shell above, a bearded mask below. The arms are those of Lane. Diameter 51cm, 20ins. Total weight approx. 6,950 grams, 224 troy ounces. London 1724. Maker David Tanqueray. A highly esteemed Huguenot maker.
1724 - 1728
Johann Christoph Treffler
9884 Early 18th Century German Silver Ecuelle and Cover
£6,750

A rare and highly desirable antique silver bowl with matching lid, the cast side handles with face masks and foliate scroll work. Handy size, suitable for serving vegetables. The cover, applied with portrait medallions and three scroll and dolphin feet, can be inverted for use as a bowl stand or a spoon tray. The rim of the bowl and cover are hand engraved with decorative strapwork designs. The centre top has a large monogram with intertwined initials in old fashioned script, repeated to the outside of the bowl (worn). Weight 391 grams, 12.5cm. Height 6cm (bowl), 9.1cm (bowl and lid). Diameter 8cm. Spread 22cm. German silver marks for Augsburg. Maker Johann Christoph Treffler 1724-28.
1726
William Darker
8488 Antique George I Octagonal Silver Sugar Bowl
£3,950

A rare early English silver sugar bowl of octagonal form. Lovely plain style and heavy gauge silver. Good colour. Weight 132 grams, 4.2 troy ounces. Height 5.5 cms. Diameter 10 cms. London 1726. Maker William Darker.
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.
1728
William Darker
9866 George II Antique Silver Octafoil Salver
£4,750

A rare antique silver octofoil salver with a scalloped border and standing on 3 curved panelled feet. Weight 631 grams, 20.2 troy ounces. Diameter 26.7 cm. Height 2.6 cm. London 1728. Maker William Darker. Sterling silver. These 8 sided salvers generally date between 1710 and 1730 and are extremely sought after. .
1728
James Savage
9958 George II Antique Silver Serving Spoon
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A massive antique sterling silver spoon in the popular Hanover pattern. Very useful long handled serving spoon. To the reverse of the handle terminal there is an intricate hand engraved armorial. Weight 271 grams, 8.7 troy ounces. Length 39.5cm. Bowl 12 x 7cm. London 1728. Maker James Savage. Sterling silver..
1728
Samuel Welder
10214 Set of George II Silver Casters
£1,450

A super quality set of 3 antique silver castors with pierced removable tops. Classic plain form. Heavy gauge and chunky style. Each is hand engraved to the front with a large cypher on a matted ground. Total weight 443 grams, 14.2 troy ounces. Tall castor – height 16cm. Pair of smaller castors – height 13cms. London 1728. Maker Samuel Welder. Sterling silver. 18^th century.
1731
Charles Kandler
10207 George II Antique Silver Spoon Tray
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An outstanding piece of workmanship by this rare and sought after maker. A small gilt silver tray; the cast, scalloped border with shell motifs, the outer border and centre with fine hand engraved decoration. The armorial is for the Gilbert family with the motto “Pro Christo et Patria” below. Weight 225 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Length 17.6cm. Width 11.5cm. London 1731. Maker Charles Kandler. Sterling silver.
1732
Paul Crespin
10103 Set of George II Antique Silver Casters
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A fantastic quality set of antique sterling silver castors made by the master silversmith Paul Crespin. Classic plain style with pierced removable tops. Extremely large size, thick gauge and heavy in the hand. An unusual feature is that one small caster has been fitted with a plain inner sleeve, this is known as a “blind caster”, the earliest form of mustard pot. Height 21.5cm and 16.6cm. Weight 1056 grams, 33.9 troy ounces. London 1732 (large), 1733 (small). Maker Paul Crespin.