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”).
1641

10277 Charles I Antique Silver Wine Taster
£4,950

An early English silver taster of a rare boat shaped form with simple shaped side handles. The decoration is typical for the period, the body having a fluted design with punched dots and a flower head to the centre. Dishes from this period are occasionally referred to as sweetmeat dishes. Weight 88 grams, 2.8 troy ounces. Length 15.2cm. Width 9.6/12.5cm. Height 2.2/3.9cm. London 1641. No maker’s mark. Sterling silver. 17th century.
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.
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.
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
£1,950

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.
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
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
1697
William Fawdery
10235 William III Antique Silver Cannon Handle Spoon
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A massive antique sterling silver hash spoon with the long tubular handle and a large deep bowl with a rattail extension to the underside. This elegant form is known as a Cannon handled spoon and can be used as a basting or stuffing spoon. Very useful size. To the reverse of the handle terminal there is an intricate hand engraved armorial. Weight 234 grams, 7.5 troy oz. Length 44.5cm. Bowl 10.4 x 7.5cm. London 1697. Maker probably William Fawdery. Britannia standard 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.
1699
Samuel Hood
10257 William III Antique Silver Tazza
£3,950

An excellent early English silver footed salver with a broad gadroon border to the top and foot. Britannia standard silver*. To the centre is a hand engraved armorial for the Scott family within a decorative cartouche. Weight 395 grams, 12.7 troy ounces. Height 7.3cm. Diameter 24cm. London 1699. Maker Samuel Hood. *Britannia standard silver. 17^th century.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Monteith 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.
1712
Ozee Lhommedieu
10312 Queen Anne Antique Silver Caster
Reserved

An excellent quality antique silver castor from the early 1700’s having a baluster shape and the desirable octagonal panelled design. Made of heavy grade silver it feels good in the hand. The pull off top and the base are both made of cast silver and its unusual features include a top finial in the form of sugar caster, and a gilded interior. Hand engraved to the front is a star crest. Total weight 214 grams, 6.8 troy oz. Height 17.6cm. London 1712. Maker probably Ozee Lhommedieu. Britannia standard silver*. 18th century.
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”
Circa 1720

10307 George I Antique Silver Tazza
£550

A charming little 18th century footed salver with a simple reed border and pedestal foot. Beautiful plain style typical of the period. Good weight. Hand engraved to the centre is the name of the owner “H Clarke” in old fashioned script. The underside is initialled “R over IM”. Weight 186 gm, 5.9 troy oz. Height 4.4cm. Diameter 14.7cm. Unmarked silver. Maker “TA”, unattributed. Probably British circa 1720.
1721
John Bache
10263 George I Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
£9,500

A handsome antique silver monteith bowl with the original castellated collar mounted with little lion heads. Excellent size and proportions. The bowl design is typical for a monteith of the period 1700-1720 with its plain form on a built-up foot and the large hand engraved coat of arms. To the reverse is finely executed crest. Weight 1561 grams, 50.1 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 21.4cm (without collar). Diameter 27cm (collar), 25cm (bowl). London 1721. Maker John Bache. Britannia standard silver – 95.8% pure. 18^th century.
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.
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, 12.5 troy oz. Height 6cm (bowl), 9.5cm (bowl and lid). Diameter 13.4cm. 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.
1727
Thomas Tearle
10237 George II Antique Silver Bowl
£485

An attractive antique silver 2 handled cup (or porringer) with bands of ribbing and bright cut engraving. Useful neat size. Weight 62 grams, 2 troy ounces. Height 6.7 cm. Diameter 8 cm. Spread 12.5 cm. London 1727. Maker Thomas Tearle. Sterling silver.
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
Samuel Welder
10214 Set of George II Silver Casters
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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.
1728
Gabriel Sleath
10283 George II Antique Silver Caster
£675

An excellent quality antique silver castor with a pierced removable top. Classic plain form. Heavy gauge and chunky style. Hand engraved to the front is a large cypher. Total weight 195 grams, 6.2 troy ounces. Height 16.3cm. Diameter of base 5.2cm. London 1728. Maker Gabriel Sleath. Sterling silver. 18th century.
Circa 1730 - 1754

10252 Set of 4 Antique Silver Trefid Spoons
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An excellent quality harlequin set of antique silver serving spoons with shaped handle terminals known as “trefid” form. Bright gilt finish. All with a deeply chased pattern of scroll and foliate designs on a stipple engraved ground, and a hand engraved crest of a lion holding a rose. These spoons were expertly remodelled during the 19^th century from plain Hanoverian pattern spoons and fitted into a presentation box. Total weight 216 grams, 6.9 troy ounces. Length 20cm. Bowl 7×4.6cm. Different makers. London c.1730-1754. Sterling silver.
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.