by Bill Jackman
Dutch model of an elf with a barrel, no recognisable markings. Possibly
made in Schoonhoven, 20th century. Courtesy of eBay seller Mattachewey. 84
Sleigh pulled by horse. Markings, FAL over a dot. All enclosed in a
diamond. Made in Schoonhoven, Holland, poss. 19th c, L: 70mm, 22gm,
ac: Mar. 2008, P: £35, AC. 84
Horse and driver pulling log wagon, silver, blackened with age and grime,
no maker’s mark, typical of toys made in Amsterdam, early 19th c, L:
90mm, 34gm, ac: Feb. 2008, eBay, P: £110, AC. 84
Large sleigh with driver. Pulled by two oxen and led by a man. Inside the
sleigh are three figures inc. a woman with umbrella. The seat has red velvet upholstery, c. 19th c., made in Holland, figure ‘1’ stamped on sleigh, town mark
and maker’s mark, L: 78mm, 51gm, ac: Feb. 2005, P: £60, AC. 85
Fine and rare example of 19th c. Dutch craftsmanship. Royal coach pulled
by six horses. Marks: rampant lion, maker’s mark and date stamp 1851.
L 80mm, 83gm, ac: Nov. 2010, P: £300, AC. 85
Circus tableau showing a clown and a horseman about to jump a high wire.
M: Leendert Hoogwinkel (1749–1831), Dordrecht, Holland, 55gm, ac: Oct.
2009, P: £56, AC. 85
Horsedrawn water carriage for irrigation purposes inc. driver. No maker’s
mark, poss. early 20th c, Dutch, L: 80mm, H: 50mm, 33gm, ac: July 2005,
P: £13, AC. 86
Riderless horse carriage. Markings: epose france printed underneath,
otherwise no markings, L: 74mm, H: 34mm, 26gm, ac: Aug. 2009, P: £14, AC. 86
Classic sleigh tableau, showing mid 19th c Dutch marks, with Dutch year
letter O (1847) and ‘xxx’ mark. Maker’s initials DR. L: 80mm, 37gm, ac:
Nov. 2010, P: £90, AC. 87
20th c teapot, M: David Hollander & Son, Birmingham, 1977, H: 30mm,
12gm, ac: Feb. 2008, P: £25, AC. 87
Toy tennis racket, no markings, L: 45mm, 2gm, ac: Dec. 2004, P: £5, AC. 87
Silver bowl, M: Horace Woodward & Co., Birmingham, 1884, 12gm, H:
24mm, ac: Nov. 2010, P: £40. AC. 88
Kettle on stand with burner, M: Levi & Salaman, Birmingham, 1905, H:
57mm, 16gm, ac: Sep. 2009, P: £85, AC. 88
Long silver tray with cups, saucers, cream, and sugar bowls, M: Saunders & Sheperd, Birmingham, 1905, L:140mm, 32gm, ac: Nov. 2009, P: £225, AC. 88
Miniscule 8-piece tea service inc. tea strainer and sugar tongs, M: Don Henry, Canada, 2010, L: 55mm, 28gm, marked, ac: Sep. 2010, P: £410. AC. 88
Displayed version of tea service described in Figure 28. 89
Jersey cream jug, M: W. Griffiths, Birmingham, 1904, H: 42mmm, 11gm,
ac: Jan. 2009, P: £50, AC. 89
Three-piece tea service on tray, M: Saunders & Sheperd, Birmingham, 1905,
34gm, ac: May 2009, P: £230, AC. 89
Dutch miniature village musicians: 20th century copy. P: €130. Courtesy of
Holland House of Silver Toys. 89
Three wise men and moveable star, made in Holland. H: 90mm, D: 3mm, 45gm;
similar version in V&A. Year mark D 1838, ac: May 2009, P: £148, AC. 90
Two-handled pot, Birmingham, 1927, M: unrecognised, H: 40mm, 9gm,
ac: Mar. 2009, P: £40. AC. 91
Hanua silver watering can, imported, Chester, 1904, M: Samuel Boyce
Landeck, 24gm, ac: Mar. 2009, P: £60. AC. 91
Pair of bedchamber sticks, Birmingham, 1866, D: 35mm, H: 15mm, 13gm,
ac: June 2008, P: £132, AC. 91
Lord Clapham’s sword and scabbard, London, 1690–1700. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 91
Miniature silver tankard, London, 1715–16. M: George Manjoy. Courtesy
of Victoria & Albert Museum. 92
George III miniature teapot, M: Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard I, London,
1809, H: 3.3”, 116.8gm, valued at £2350. Property of AC Silver Antiques. 92
Pair of Victorian chambersticks, Birmingham, 1892. M: William Comyns,
14gm, ac: Feb 2011, P: £181. AC. 92
English miniature salver, London, 1709-10. M: David Clayton. Courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum. 92
Walking the dog, Dutch, poss. Hoorn, no markings, typical mid 18th c, 8gm,
ac: Nov. 2010, P: £34, AC. 93
Spinning wheel, Dutch, poss. Schoonhoven, no markings, mid 19th c, H:
53mm, 16gm, ac: Oct. 2009, P: £24, AC. 93
Dutch chair, 18th c, no markings, four similar chairs in V&A, H: 44mm,
9gm, ac: Mar. 2008, P: £40, AC. 93
Windmill, Dutch, mid 19th c, poss. Hoorn (renowned for their quality toy windmills) no recognisable marks, H: 80mm, 41gm, ac: Jan. 2011, P: £35, AC. 93
Sedan chair, probably Dutch, no markings (exempt), H: 43mm 12gm, ac:
Jan. 2007, P: £48, AC. 94
Rickshaw with passenger, no details, H: 65mm L: 75mm, 30gm, ac: May
2009, P: £25, AC. 94
Miniature two-handled cup, London. 1714–15. M: William Looker. Courtesy
of Victoria & Albert Museum. 94
Pair of English miniature toast racks, Birmingham, 1919, hallmarked, 4cm
x 6cm. P: £81. Courtesy of Gwenysgems. 94
Wicker basket, M: Montague Fiedlander, Chester, 1899, H: 65mm, 8gm, ac:
Aug. 2010, P: £58, AC. 94
Brazier, Dutch, 18th c, poss. Schoonhoven, no markings, H: 28mm, 6gm, ac:
Dec. 2010, P: £38, AC. 95
Sailing boat with crew, Dutch, poss. Hoorn, 1975. H: 120mm, 44gm, ac:
June 2006, P: £78, AC. 95
Cup or trophy with lid, M: William Devenport, Birmingham, 1913, H:
78mm, 18gm, ac: Jan. 2010, P: £40. AC. 95
Modern model of 800 silver medieval mortar, marked, H: 45mm, 112gm, ac:
Nov. 2010, P: £63. AC. 95
Dutch tankard, 18th c, unfortunately over-embellished with Victorian cherubs, many
marks on base, inc. import Chester, H: 52mm, 22gm, ac: Sep. 2007, P: £75, AC. 96
Miniature silver table, no markings, made in Dutch style, 17gm, ac: Sep.
2010, P: £57, AC. 96
Two-handled bowl, good quality, M: Mappin & Webb, Sheffield, 1897, Di
(bowl): 60mm, H: 50, 64gm, ac: Jan. 2008, P: £47, AC. 96
Miniature silver mug, M: Saunders & Sheperd, Chester, 1895, clear markings,
H: 20mm, 3gm, ac: Sep. 2010, P: £40, AC. 96
English miniature saucepan, London, 1720. M: David Clayton. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 96
Bucket, marked 900 silver, otherwise no markings, believed Irish, H: 55mm,
Di: 55mm, 26gm, ac: July 2009, P: £27, AC. 97
Basket, Birmingham, 1901, no makers’ mark, L: 79mm, H: 65mm, 32gm, ac:
Sep. 2009, P: £15, AC. 97
Basket, Rotterdam, 19th c, D: 35mm, 18gm, ac: Oct. 2009, P: £81, AC. 97
Magnificent filigree rocking chair, Continental, no markings (exempt),
exquisite workmanship, H: 50mm, 11gm, ac: June 2008, P: £55, AC. 97
Tiny cut-glass Cayenne pepper bottle in silver frame, complete with silver
cayenne spoon, M: Saunders & Sheperd, Chester, 1897, H: 60mm, 16gm, ac:
Aug. 2008, P: £175, AC. 98
Two chairs, Birmingham, 1901, H: 42mm, 11gm, ac: Feb. 2007, P: £75, AC. 98
Pepper shaker, M: Levi & Salaman, Birmingham, 1897, H: 60mm, 23gm, ac:
Oct. 2009, P: £44. AC. 98
Filigree sailing ship, no markings. H: 77mm, L: 80mm, 16gm, ac: Mar. 2011,
P: £10. AC. 98
Dutch 19th c. preserving pan and cover, L: 115mm, 28gm, ac: Jan. 2010, P:
£130. AC. 98
Table set, Amsterdam, marked ‘xxx’ and S2V; cup: D: 17mm H: 11mm,
4gm; saucer: D: 29mm, 7gm; plate: D: 32mm, 5gm; spoon: L: 45mm, 3gm,
ac: Nov. 2010, P: £41, AC. 99
Dutch spinning wheel, poss. 19th c, no marks, H: 90mm, L: 80mm, 54gm, ac:
Oct. 2010, P: £50, AC. 99
Pair candelabras, Amsterdam, 1905, maker’s mark: single bushy top tree and sword, H: 47mm, W: 42mm, ac: Feb. 2005, P: £10, AC. 99
Dutch, manually operated bridge: date letter B = 1836, rampant lion, maker’s
mark (JV and hammer) all in rectangle, and a head facing left inside a circle;
H: 90mm, L: 80mm, 71gm, similar version in V&A, ac: Sep. 2009,
P: £50, AC. 100
Dutch model, 19th c, of man on toboggan; markings unclear. Courtesy of eBay seller Eleanor. 100
Dutch three-masted schooner in full sail with three crew, M: J. van Dijik
(active 1901–39), Hoorn, 20th c, H: 115mm, L: 115mm, 51gm, ac: Aug.
2007, P: £75. AC. 100
Dutch two-masted sail boat on plinth, 20th century, probably Hoorn or Schoonhoven, marked 925 silver, L: 95mm, H: 114mm, 73 gm, ac: Jan. 2011,
P: £75. AC. 100
Dutch snake cup, very rare, even as a copy, which this is. Made 1838. Clear maker’s marks: two reversed crescents, but maker unknown. H: 47mm, 24gm,
ac: Apr. 2011, P: £120. 101
Dutch linen press, unmarked, 18th c, no markings; the linen press was popular among Dutch silversmiths; examples by Arnoldus van Geffen, Daniel van
Strant of Amsterdam, 1754, Jan Bonket and Abraham Effemans (script from Christie’s auction catalogue, 16 Nov. 2010); copy in V&A; H: 89mm, 32gm,
ac: Jan. 2011, P: £120, est. value: £1200. AC. 101
Silver filigree platter, maker and country unknown, unmarked. ac: Feb. 2011,
P: £30. 101
Dutch silver miniature toy teapot, Amsterdam, 1767, maker’s mark unclear, H: 45mm. Est. auction value: £1000–£1500. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 101
Crossbow, 800 grade silver, no makers name, ac: Jan. 2011, P: £110. AC. 102
Two modern silver chairs, hallmarks not clear, H: 63mm, 27 gm, £35. AC. 102
Dutch silver miniature toy coffee urn, early 18th c, marks unclear, on three
scroll feet with three taps, est. auction value: £1500–£2500. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 102
Rare pair of William III or Queen Anne Scottish silver miniature toy thistle
cups, only one handle. Glasgow, c.1700, mark of Thomas Cummings, original
est. auction value: £2000–£3000. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 102
Dutch silver miniature toy teapot, Amsterdam, c. 1720. M: Fredrik van Strant
I, est. auction price: £1200–£1800. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 102
Dutch silver miniature toy cruet stamped 10 with crowned circle, poss. 19th c.
W: 88mm. Est. auction price: £1500–£2500. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 103
Pot stand; marks on base: 6702 and three-legged table with number 800. Di: 45mm, H: 25mm, 21gm, P: £25. AC. 103
Dutch miniature Pijpencomfoo, 1737. M: Frederick van Trant II. Vendor’s
price: €2275. Courtesy of Holland House of Silver Miniatures. 103
Settee marked ‘London, 1896’. Quite possibly imported into this country from Holland as it is stamped with the F import mark and has been embellished all
over with babies and cherubs by a Victorian silversmith. Maker’s initials
appear to be RN. L:50mm, H: 55mm, 19gm, P: £65. AC. 103
Miniature silver coffee pot, London. M: David Clayton. Courtesy of Victoria
& Albert Museum. 103
English miniature jug, London, 1688–89. M: George Manjoy. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 103
Selection of miniature silver, London, 1720. M: David Clayton. Courtesy of Victoria & Albert Museum. 104
20th c English made coffee pot, part of a four-piece set, Sheffield, 1902, M:
J & J Maxfield Ltd, who specialised in silver toys; H: 45mm, 15gm, ac: Feb
2010, P: £40. 104
Dutch working spinning wheel, markings, London import, H: 77mm, 33gm,
ac: Feb. 2011, P: £57, AC. 104
Dutch silver toy frying pan, 1750, M: Johannes van Somervil 1. Vendor’s
price: €950. Photo courtesy of Holland House of Silver Miniatures. 104
Dutch 18th c corner chair with London import marks, 1901, H: 3mm, 13gm,
ac: Feb. 2011, P: £47, AC. 104
Dutch toy jug, c. 1810, clear but unidentifiable markings on base, H: 47mm,
28 gm, ac: Feb. 2011, P: £35, AC. 105
Cabinet on stand, London, 1703–4. M: George Manjoy. 105
Dutch horseless carriage, with passengers and driver. No markings, 19th c,
30gm P: £100. AC. 105
English condiment set, London, 1730–1. M: David Clayton. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 105
Two-handled jug, Birmingham, 1918. M: Levi & Salaman. 106
Miniature spoon marked with owner’s initials, L: 81mm, 3gm, P: £96. AC. 105
Dutch doll’s house silver candle snuffers, c. 1740. M: unknown. Vendor’s
price: €670. Courtesy of Holland House of Silver Miniatures. 105
Silver miniature table, London, 1750, M: Edward Medycott. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 106
Dutch skittle player, possibly Schoonhoven, 1848. 106
105. Pair of miniature candlesticks, London. 1720. M: unknown. Courtesy of
Victoria & Albert Museum. 106
106. Dutch toy tea kettle, 1765, Amsterdam, M: Master Arnold van Geffen.
Vendor’s price: €2100. Courtesy of Holland House of Silver Miniatures. 106
107. Bequest to Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, by Lady Henriques, 1953: Clockwise
from top centre: 1. Coffee urn, Amsterdam, H: 7cm. 2. Silver miniature coffee
urn on three legs, Amsterdam mark incorporating a letter N; maker's mark, Johannes Adrianus van Geffen (active 1766-98), H: 7.5cm. 3. Silver miniature spherical hot water urn on four-footed base, unmarked, H: 5cm. 4. Silver
miniature coffee pot on three feet, Amster-dam mark uncrowned, H: 5.9cm. 5. Silver-gilt miniature coffee urn on three legs, marked ‘AP’, H: 6.1cm. 6. Silver miniature coffee urn on three feet, unmarked, H: 7.7cm. 106
108. Bequest to Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, by Lady Henriques, 1953: L-R, top to bottom: 1. Cylindrical jug with reeded sides, London, 1832–3, H: 5.1cm, M: Samuel Whitford II. 2. Plain jug, maker’s mark: TC, H: 5.6cm. 3. Miniature
silver jug, unmarked, H: 1.7cm. 4. Toast rack, London, 1833–4, M: Charles Rawlings and William Summers, L: 5.2cm. 5. Miniature silver cream jug, unmarked, H: 2.7cm. 6. Miniature silver fork, unmarked. 7. Miniature silver
knife, Sheffield, 1832, M: Atkin & Oxley, L: 11.8cm. 106
1 A Short History of Silver
The first monarch on record to show an interest in standardising silver was King John (1167–1216). He brought into the country silversmiths from Germany to work with ours so that together they could come to a conclusion as to how pure silver could be best turned into a workable metal, as silver on its own was too soft and needed something mixed with it to give it rigidity and yet retain its malleability.
It was hoped that by combining the skills of two countries’ silversmiths the solution could be obtained. It was found, after the silversmiths had carried out their experiments, that copper was the ideal base non-ferrous metal to alloy with pure silver. It was agreed that the ideal mixture should be 925 pure silver to 75 base copper. Apart from a small break in 1697–1720, these figures have remained the same for hundreds of years, and are still the same today.
Nowadays in England, we pride ourselves on our silver being the best in the world and we refer to it as sterling silver. The English called the German silversmiths Easterlings because they came from the east of Germany. Gold and silver coins were also known as Easterlings. Over the years the word has been modified to what it is today – sterling. The phrase sterling silver is a recognised stan
dard of high-quality silver. Silver is the most workable of fine metal. It can be beaten into sheets and drawn out as wire. It is so ductile that a troy ounce of silver can be drawn out into a wire 40 miles long. It is a wonderful conductor of heat and electricity and as it is self-sterilising, germs cannot survive on its surface; that is why for hundreds of years it has been used for medical and dental equipment
However, having defined exactly what sterling silver would consist of by law, it was difficult to ensure that all silversmiths complied with these standards and that they weren’t tempted to add a little extra copper to the mixture or take a little silver out, human nature being what it is. When the wrought plate went to be melted down for coinage, it was discovered to be approximately 20% short of what the Royal Mint expected.
By the late thirteenth century it was found that new problems were being encountered in this country. In 1238, because of the many frauds that were taking place among the goldsmiths of England, Henry III commanded the Mayer and Alderman of London to select six of the most reliable goldsmiths to watch over and supervise the craft of goldsmiths. When Edward I became king we find them being referred to as gardiens. It was their task to assay all silver objects before they were passed from the makers and mark them with the leopards head. They would also go from shop to shop and any vessels of gold or silver that were found without the lions head would be confiscated and returned to the King’s Treasury.