Recent Acquisitions

Antique 19th Century Chinese Export solid silver wine ewer, impressive and exceptionally fine quality. Of baluster form, the body is richly worked with densely rendered village scenes, populated by numerous figures amid buildings and trees, and set to one side with a shield shaped cartouche. The neck is finely decorated with water buffalo among reeds, while the cover is surmounted with a warrior figure, presumably Guan Yu (关羽), shown in a martial setting.

The handle is naturalistically modelled as a water dragon. Of particular note is the rare mechanical feature ingeniously incorporated into the handle: a concealed lever operating the hinged cover, enabling it to open and close smoothly. The decoration throughout is exceptionally crisp and intricate, incorporating many of the most admired motifs and techniques found in Chinese Export silver, including engraved stylised foliage, bamboo leaves, animal forms, an applied dragon handle, and the highly sought-after village scenes associated with noble life. The circular stepped foot is further embellished with carp and aquatic vegetation.

The base is Hallmarked Chinese silver, Artisans mark 昌發 (Cheung Fat). Retailer's mark "HC" for Hung Chong & Co (11b Nanking Road, Shanghai). 

Reference Number: C5761z

Antique 19th Century European pair of five light solid silver candelabras in the nineteenth Century revival taste, combining Neo Classical and Baroque influences. The architectural diagonal base is richly decorated with portrait medallions, acanthus borders and scrolling ornament, while the elaborate central column supports boldly curved arms terminating in urn shaped sconces.

Particularly striking are the winged griffin supports beneath the central body, adding a dramatic sculptural quality associated with Victorian and Second Empire decorative arts. The mixture of classical motifs, heavy cast decoration and symmetrical form reflects the eclectic historicism popular across Continental Europe during the late nineteenth century. Hallmarked with German silver pseudo marks. 

Pseudo hallmarks from Germany are imitation silver marks used mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to resemble official British or European assay marks. Commonly associated with makers in Hanau, these fantasy marks were applied to decorative silver to give the appearance of age, quality, or prestige, although they were not official hallmarks.

Reference Number: J12120

Antique early 19th Century French Empire solid silver confiturier, created in the distinctive ‘Retour d’Égypte’ style that emerged in France following Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. Finely cast winged sphinx figures support the pierced gallery, one of the defining features of this highly recognisable design movement. Anthemion borders, Greek key decoration, and classical detailing throughout reflect the strong influence of antiquity on Empire period decorative arts.

The domed cover, surmounted by a pinecone finial, continues the classical theme, while the fitted set of twelve silver gilt spoons provides a rich contrast against the silver surface. The confiturier was made in Paris by the silversmith Augustin Desnoyers-Hubert in 1805, accompanied by a matching set of twelve silver gilt spoons by Jean-Joseph Rivet, dating to 1825.

Hallmarked French silver (950 Standard).

Reference Number: N12170

Antique 20th Century very rare WWI "artillery" cocktail shaker, attributed to the Gorham Manufacturing Company, USA. Crafted from a combination of three metals: silver plate (EPNS), copper, and brass.

The striking contrast between materials is characteristic of the high-quality workmanship seen in elite American silversmiths such as Gorham and Tiffany & Co.

Reference Number: A00249

Antique early-19th Century Exceptional Swiss 18k gold & enamel music box, of elegant rectangular form, in the shape of an envelope, featuring convex front and rear sides. The cover and base are adorned with rectangular panels of translucent blue enamel over an engine-turned ground, framed by foliate taille d'épargne borders. The cover is further enhanced with an overlapping lyre-shaped, matted gold panel mimicking an envelope flap, intricately stamped with trailing foliage and embellished with split pearls and a central turquoise. The box incorporates a concealed musical movement, wound by a key and activated by a lever discreetly located at the rear.  

Hallmarked by renowned goldsmith GR for Jean-Georges Rémond, Geneva, and bears additional prestige marks, reflecting its superior craftsmanship and provenance. Numbered 949, the movement playing a tune, with original key, Movement attributed to Piguet & Capt, Isaac-Daniel Piguet (1775-1841) was born in Le Chenit (Vaud) and is said to have moved to Geneva before 1800. He entered into partnership with his brother-in-law Henri Capt, another mécanicien, on 10 February 1802. The firm was active for a short period from 1802 to 1811. Piguet & Capt, however, were the first to make objects that combined automata and music for use in luxury objects, such as snuff boxes, jewelry, and watches.

Reference Number: A10228

This item is eligible for the Pushkin’s Promise scheme.

Antique late-19th Century very rare and highly decorative Italian solid silver three piece tea set by G. Accarisi. Each piece profusely chased with scrolling foliage and fantastical ornament, mounted with sculptural handles and finials in the form of grotesque, mythological, and winged creatures. Hallmarked to each piece "G ACCARISI, FIRENZE".

Reference Number: A00252

Antique late 19th Century Italian repoussé and chased solid silver covered urn, crafted in an elegant semi ovoid form and richly embellished with high relief decorative work throughout. The urn is fitted with a domed cover surmounted by a finely modeled child (putto) finial, while the body is flanked by a pair of dramatic figural scroll handles depicting winged female forms gracefully integrated into scrolling volutes.

The body is lavishly ornamented with intricate repoussé and chased decoration, featuring classical nude figures, cherubic putti, portrait medallions, grotesque masks, fruit garlands, scrolling acanthus leaves, and elaborate Rococo inspired motifs. The principal reserves depict finely sculpted mythological style figures framed by ornate foliage and scrolling ornament, with additional putti in flight adorning the upper sections. The domed cover echoes the richly textured decoration of the body, while the circular foot displays complementary repoussé foliate ornamentation. The urn is raised on a stemmed circular foot, which is weighted / reinforced for stability.

The upper rim is engraved "C. Calvi Roma 1874," identifying the Roman retailer or maker and commemorating the date. The side of the body and the flange of the cover are hallmarked with the French "weevil" hallmark (800/1000 grade) This import mark was applied to silver articles imported into France from contracting countries between 1864 and 1893.

Reference Number: A00253

Antique late-19th Century Indian (Madras) solid silver double handled very large sugar bowl, beautifully decorated with a repoussé frieze depicting a ceremonial procession in honour of the Hindu god Ganesh, set against a finely matted background. The shoulder of the cup is embellished with an elegant floral border, while the twin handles are expertly modelled as Indian cobras (Naja naja), a distinctive and highly decorative feature. Hallmarked to the base with a French swan silver import mark.

Reference Number: A00214

Antique 19th Century English William IV solid silver samovar / hot water kettle. This samovar is heavily worked and highly decorative. The compressed bell shaped lid has a floral and C-scroll border and is mounted with a large cast eagle finial with partially spread wings. The lid sits firmly over a spherical body divided into elaborately chased cartouches depicting hunting scenes, including stags, hounds and birds set among dense foliage.

On either side are acanthus capped double scroll handles, cast and symmetrical in form. The spigot is set centrally to the front, with an ornate mount and a wooden handle. The body rises from a knopped socle, which leads to a lobed base decorated in a similar manner to the main body, with further chased naturalistic panels. The samovar stands on four acanthus scrolled feet. The interior retains its original hot iron holder.

Hallmarked English solid silver (925 standard), London, year 1837 (B), Maker's mark sc (Sebastian Crespell II).

Reference Number: A00124

Antique mid-19th Century German (Hanau) gold box of rectangular form, the hinged lid with a finely engine turned ground framed by a border in three colour gold, delicately worked with alternating leaf and floral motifs. The lid centred with an oval reserve, the sides similarly decorated with bands of engine turned ornament and applied multicoloured gold details. The overall design combines precise geometric surface patterning with richly ornamental borders, characteristic of Hanau goldsmiths of the period.

Hallmarked German gold, Maker's mark CCS (Charles Collins & Söhne).

Reference Number: A00187

Antique 19th Century Victorian solid silver set of four cased salts with spoons, featuring a unique cowboy hat design. The set comprises four salt pots crafted in the shape of cowboy hats and four spoons styled as rifles, each with a shovel attachment at one end. A charmingly novelty and highly unusual set, it is sure to be a delightful conversation starter and an eye-catching addition to any dining table, comes in its original weather bound case.

Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), Birmingham, year 1899 (Z), Maker's mark TW (Thomas Walker). 

Reference Number: A00250

Antique 19th Century Austrian rare and unusual solid silver-gilt & enamel rock crystal ewer. The rock crystal engraved with chimeras among scrollwork, silver gilt mounts pierced and enamelled. The caryatid scroll handle with satyr head terminal. Hallmarked Austrian-Hungarian assay city letter A (Vienna), circa 1890, Makers mark RL (Rudolf Linke).

Reference Number: A9974

Antique early-20th Century English 15ct solid gold mechanical pencil by Sampson Mordan & Co., crafted from the relatively uncommon 15-carat gold standard. Unlike the more typical English gold purities of 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, or 22ct, the use of 15ct gold suggests this pencil may have been produced for export. Compact and finely proportioned, the pencil was designed to be suspended from an Albert pocket watch chain via its attached suspension ring, making it both a practical and stylish gentleman's accessory.

The pencil features a slender tubular body with a simple push action mechanism. Depressing the top extends the writing tip, allowing the pencil to be used instantly. The wooden pencil cleverly screws into the internal brass mechanism to securely house and keep the pencil in place. The wooden pencil insert is made by L. & C. Hardtmuth of Vienna, Austria (1790–1946), one of Europe's most respected pencil manufacturers. A delightful and functional antique, this mechanical pencil is ideal for collectors, everyday note-taking, or as an elegant addition to any writing desk.

Hallmarked English 15k gold (625/1000 purity), Year 1914 (S), Maker's Mark SM&Co (Sampson Mordan & Co). 

Reference Number: C1457

 Antique late 19th century Indian Kutch solid silver three piece tea set, comprising a teapot, milk jug, and sugar bowl. Each piece is richly decorated in a very unusiual high relief scrolling foliage and floral motifs over a finely tooled ground, with the bodies formed in a lobed, spiral pattern. A distinctive feature of the set is the stylised snake form handles, seen on the teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl. The teapot has a domed lid with a matching ornate pierced finial and a curved spout and loop handle. This tea set combines practical functionality with striking decorative appeal, making it the perfect addition for entertaining guests while serving as a beautiful conversation piece.

Reference Number: A00233

Antique early 20th Century French art deco solid 14k (585) rose gold & yellow gold striped cigarette case. This exquisite case features machine-engraved patterns in the distinguished “Prince of Wales” style. Created by the renowned New York, Paris, and Palm Beach jeweler Charlton & Co, it is mounted with an elegant platinum clasp delicately set with old cut diamonds.

Hallmarked on the inside rim "CHARLTON & CO", Maker's mark "KK" and hallmarked 14k (585/1000)

Reference Number: C00168

Antique early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver floral bowl, exceptional and magnificent quality, double walled on a shaped spreading base, sides applied with silver and enameled panels decorated with floral pannels. The flowers on the bowl are; large peonies (botan), which are symbols of wealth, honour and prosperity in Japanese art. Surrounding are crysanthemums (kiku), which are associated with logevity and the Imperial household. Iris flowers which is a motif linked with courage and protection. Small insects and birds are also portrayed in smaller decorative panels on the bowl surrounded by a polished smooth finish. The artist has used colour selectively to animate the principal blossoms, allowing the brilliant silver relief to remain the dominant visual feature.

The colouring of the enamel ranges from crimson, salmon pink, amber, ochre, olive green, ivory and violet grey. This balance between sculptural metalwork and delicate enamel painting is one of the hallmarks of the finest decorative Japanese silver of the late Meiji period. The enamelled scrollwork around the foot repeats the colour palette found in the floral panels, tying the vessel together visually. These scrolling arabesques, with touches of green, yellow and aubergine enamel.

The piece dates to the Meiji period (1890-1912), acid tested shows a 950+ silver standard.

Reference Number: A00125

Antique 19th Century Indian solid 22k gold bracelet, composed of six hinged panels, each decorated in repoussé with Hindu deities, including Sabaruthy, Cawlingamirthuwum, Kali, Soobramaniya, Gajenthramoatchum and Vanoogopaul, with the names engraved to the sides of each panel.

The reverse is smooth, and the clasp is hallmarked ‘ORR 22’.

Reference Number: A00131

Antique 19th Century Indian (Kutch) cream jug of baulster form, highly decorated with intricately chased scrolling foliage, flowers, and acanthus leaves set against a matted ground. The vessel is modelled in the form of a zoomorphic mythological creature, with the creature’s mouth cleverly serving as the opening of the jug. Rather than adhering to a traditional jug design, the silversmith has transformed the vessel into a sculptural work of art, combining functionality with imaginative form.

Created as an example of novelty silver, the piece reflects the tastes of collectors who valued unusual and artistic objects that elevated everyday items into decorative curiosities. The fantastical creature form draws upon Indian decorative traditions, where animals, mythical beings, and hybrid creatures were frequently incorporated as symbols of strength, protection, and imagination. It is not hallmarked but has been acid tested and shows a 900+ silver purity and dates to the 1880's.

Reference Number: T12391

Art Deco 20th Century English solid silver cocktail shaker. This shaker is crafted in the Art Deco style from heavy-gauge silver, featuring a tapered form, an integrated sieve, and design details that reflect the stylistic influences of the early 20th century. This piece would have been at the centre of social gatherings, entertaining guests and providing functionality, flare and sophistication.

Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), Sheffield 1936 (t), Maker's mark E.V. (Emile Viner, Viner's Ltd).

Reference Number: A00191

Antique early-19th Century Continental 18k three-colour gold oval snuff box, the cover finely decorated in rose, yellow, and platinum with a central musical trophy composed of instruments and sheet-music motifs, surrounded by scrolling ribbonwork and dense floral garlands in varicolored gold. The sides are similarly enriched with alternating ribbon and flower swags, and the interior is plain polished gold.

Hallmarked on the inner rim "730", likely a fineness mark or inventory number.

Reference Number: A00183