Recent Acquisitions

A rare 20th Century English solid silver caviar server by Asprey & Co, London. Expertly modelled as a sturgeon, the fish features finely detailed naturalistic decoration. The body opens via a removable lid to reveal a gilt-lined interior with a removable gilt liner, designed for serving caviar in absolute style.

Hallmarked English Silver (925 Standard), London, year 1965 (k), Maker's mark Asprey & Co.

Reference Number: A00190

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

A 20th Century Thai solid silver tea and coffee service, richly worked throughout with high-relief repoussé decoration and presented complete on its matching tray. Comprising a coffee pot, tea pot, covered sugar bowl, creamer, pair of sugar tongs and a substantial serving tray, each piece is decorated with alternating panels of deities and scrolling foliate motifs within pointed cartouches. The figures are shown seated in traditional pose with hands held in prayer, set against finely textured grounds that emphasise the depth of the chasing. The coffee and tea pots are of baluster form, raised on circular stepped bases.

Both retain their domed covers with tiered finials and engraved borders. The spouts are formed as stylised mythological creatures with elongated necks and scaled detailing, and the scrolling handles are similarly ornamented. The sugar bowl and creamer repeat the same repoussé panels and shaped bodies, maintaining consistency across the service. The sugar tongs and the serving tray are also decorated, the tray with a broad border of scrolling foliage in keeping with the design of the set.

Each piece is hallmarked "THAILAND, STERLING". Items marked "THAILAND STERLING" were generally made from 1949 onwards, following the permanent name change from Siam to Thailand. Pieces stamped simply "SIAM STERLING" usually date from 1926 to 1949.

Reference Number: A00116

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 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 early 20th Century pair of large and impressive solid silver table ornaments modelled as a cock and hen pheasant. Beautifully crafted, each bird displays finely chased naturalistic detail, with accurately rendered plumage that highlights the distinctive characteristics of both the male and female.

Shown with their heads lowered as if pecking for food, the figures capture the birds in a lifelike and engaging pose. An eye catching pair, ideal as dining table centrepieces or as part of a sporting and shooting-themed collection.

Hallmarked Italian silver (800 standard).

Reference Number: A00126

A 20th Century English solid silver and shagreen cigar box, featuring a novelty artwork by H.M. Bateman set beneath glass and framed in silver on the lid. The illustration bears the inscription: 'Remember that it is no joke, If you should happen to revoke.' The box is enveloped in teal blue shagreen, and inside provides ample space for cigars. A distinctive piece, perfect for a personal collection.

Hallmarked English silver (925 standard), London, year 1929 (o), Maker's mark. C B & S (unknown).

Reference Number: J11732

Antique 20th Century English solid silver rifle shooting trophy. Featuring a solid silver Mark III Lee Enfield rifle raised above an ebonised plinth. The plinth features a blank shooting target, also in silver. Five plaques are mounted on the ebonised wooden plinth, engraved "'1933 CQMS EBBETTS','1934 SERGT THORNELOE','1933 RFN PEDDIE','1937 RFN D.F.TURNBULL','1938 RFN P.T.D.PHILLIPS'.

Hallmarked English solid silver (925 standard), London, year 1915 (u), Maker's mark S.DLD (Stewart Dawson & Co Ltd).

Reference Number: A00135

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 Indian (Kutch) solid silver dressing table set. Comprising a hand mirror, brush and oval tray, all richly worked in repoussé silver. Each piece displays high level craftsmanship and dense ornamental detail, characteristic of high quality Indian silver of the period. 

The solid silver brush is decorated with a repoussé scene depicting an elephant in combat with a lion, framed by dense floral and foliate ornament. The surrounding decoration is both repoussé and pierced, with a visible copper backing beneath; a rare and unusual feature in Indian silver, adding depth and contrast to the design. 

The hand mirror is worked in a closely related repoussé floral and foliate pattern. The central panel depicts a seated figure guru / sadhu beside a campfire, with palm trees in the background, creating a narrative scene within the decorative framework. 

The solid silver tray of an oval form is richly decorated with intricate repoussé work on a finely matted ground. The surface is covered with floral foliage with a blank centre oval cartouche. On the underneath, four spherical feet raise the tray. Marked to the base "MR". (Mawji Raghavji) an important Indian silversmith contemporary of the more prolific Oomersi Mawji, who perfectly demonstrates his rivaling ability in this magnificent piece. The brush and mirror are not hallmarked as if often the case for Indian silver, but acid tested 900+ grade silver.

Reference Number: A00117

Antique 20th Century French fine French solid silver butter service by Christofle & Cie, Paris, comprising four flower-form butter dishes with gilded interiors, accompanied by four matching solid silver & gilt butter knives. The dishes are beautifully modelled as open blossoms with radiating petal decoration and richly gilded centres, creating a striking contrast against the polished silver.

The set is presented in its original fitted case, lined in cream. The elegant naturalistic design reflects the refined French tableware produced by Christofle during the late 19th to early 20th century. A charming and decorative breakfast or luncheon service, combining sculptural floral design with practical use, and retaining its original presentation case.

The pattern is Christofle Japonais, produced from around 1890 to 1930. Examples in solid silver are particularly uncommon, as these were generally made to special order by Christofle rather than offered as part of their standard catalogue during this period. Clients commissioning pieces in solid silver usually selected more restrained designs such as Coquille or Spatours, rather than the more fashionable Japonais pattern.

Reference Number: J12127

Antique early 20th Century exceptional Burmese (Myanmar) solid silver thabeik bowl, repoussé decorated in high relief with scenes from Burmese mythology, depicting scenes from the Jataka Tales, one of the hundreds of stories recounting the former lives of the Buddha. 

This exceptional silver thabeik (offering bowl) is a superb example of Burmese craftsmanship at the height of the country’s Silver Age, a period from approximately 1850 - 1930 that coincided with British colonial expansion, the decline of the Burmese monarchy, and growing cross-cultural patronage. As royal commissions waned, elite silversmiths redirected their artistry to serve a new clientele comprising prosperous Burmese Buddhists, Indian merchants, and European expatriates. The result was a flourishing of decorative silverware, typified by ceremonial bowls such as this one.

Reference Number: A00173

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

A 20th Century Art Deco French 18K gold and diamond compact. Circular in form with an all-over engine-turned decoration. The cover is set with a stylised "Shriners" logo accented with diamonds. Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, it is an American Masonic society. Founded in 1872 in New York City, it is now headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and has over 200 chapters across nine countries. The organization is known for its Middle Eastern theme, elaborate participation in parades and festivals. A diamond baguette push button opens the interior revealing a circular mirror and powder puff.

Hallmarked 18k gold (750 standard), London (import marks), year 1929 (o), Maker's mark "LPJV" (Unknown) & marked JC (Jacques Cartier). 

Reference Number: C00142

Antique early 20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver cigar box of rectangular form, double walled and finely decorated in high relief with iris flowers emerging from water and a period bamboo Japanese bench by the waterside set against a hand-hammered ground.

The hinged lid opens to reveal a solid silver lined interior. The box is hallmarked Japanese Solid Silver (950+ standard) indicated by "JUNGIN" hallmarking in Japanese, with the Maker's mark in a Great Seal Script style translating to "Zuan".

Reference Number: A00102

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 French solid silver exceptional and highly unusual pair of pepper mills by the celebrated Parisian maker Odiot, executed to an extraordinary standard of craftsmanship and scale. Richly modelled with classical lion mask mounts, garland swags and raised on powerful tripod paw feet, the design combines impressive presence with remarkable ingenuity.

These substantial mills are not only decorative objects of the highest quality, but fully functioning mechanisms. The pepper is ground by inverting the mills and turning the tripod base, an ingenious and robust system which operates smoothly and precisely. Their considerable weight and solid construction immediately convey the quality associated with Odiot’s finest work.

Examples of this form are exceptionally rare. Comparable models are seldom encountered, and pairs rarer still, making this a particularly noteworthy survival. The bold scale and sculptural appearance allow them to stand equally well as functional tableware or as striking decorative objects. Hallmarked French Minerva (950 silver standard), Paris, Makers mark for Odiot.

Reference Number: N12171

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