Silver Spoon Antiques

 A recent post in a specialist group introduced me to a mark for an unknown silversmith. The stamp on the silver fork was 'G.PALMA' over 'SMIRNE'. Smirne is an alternative for Smyrna. The city of Smyrna has a long history of thousands of year and is mo dern day   İzmir (since about 1930).  Palma is a surname of Italian origins (indeed Smirne is the Italian version of Smyrna). There was a large population of Italians in Smyrna in the nineteenth century.  A number of pieces by G.Palma have been found, including larger items such as vases and small salvers. There is also a few variations of his mark, some including 'SMIRNE', some not. Three versions are pictured below.  The style of his silver appears to be catering to the Italian market rather than Ottoman.  At this stage there doesn't appear to be more information about G.Palma...another research project for someone! 

 I haven't seen any research or pieces of silver made in the Danish possessions in India. This is an interesting example for someone looking for a project!  (Sold by Dore and Rees 2023) A LARGE TUREEN ON STAND, DANISH COLONIAL, POSSIBLY TRANQUEBAR, C.1820. A very large circular lidded tureen on a plate shaped stand, with lion mask ring handles. The ball finial surrounded by fluted chasing. The mark appears to refer to the standard of the alloy 14 Lod 8 Gr. (90.25%), along with a maker's mark FK. Most likely made by a Danish silversmith working in one of the Danish colonial possessions in India, the largest being Tranquebar where a Danish assay office and mint was located.  32.5 cm. high 3668 g. (inc. stand)

We have been looking for an example by the silversmith, F.Saurier, for a number of years and we sadly missed out on seeing a piece earlier this year.  Examples have some to auction, but neither auction has photographed his mark. The both appear to be stamped 'F.SAURIER' . If anyone has a piece by him, we would love to see it and the mark.  The two silver pieces known by him (both pictured below), are pieces of hollowware - the first a beaker/julep cup, the second a mug. 

 Up for auction a number of years ago was a group of memorabilia related to King Henri I of Haiti.   On March 28, 1811, a former slave and now revolutionary leader, Henri Christophe, had declared himself King Henri I of the Kingdom of Haiti. He established a monarchy and attempted to modernise the country through various reforms, including building infrastructure, promoting education, and encouraging agricultural development. Christophe is also known for constructing the Citadelle Laferrière, a massive fortress that remains a symbol of Haitian resilience and ingenuity. In this lot was a spoon that was later resold through another auction house. It is crested with Henri's crest and has an unknown maker's mark struck three times ( Crowned LS or IS ) on the back of the spoon. This maker is probably an unidentified Haitian silversmith. There is still much research and work to be done on the silver and goldsmiths of the Caribbean Islands, as well as other colonial decorative arts i...

 As mentioned in a previous post, it is suggested that after Greece received its independence Greek silversmiths began marking their silver with just a maker's mark. Although a national hallmarking system was discussed, it was never implemented. This post is just a short list of some of the names seen on silver objects.  K.GEORGIADES - ' Κ.ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΔHΣ '     Seen on a pair of salvers, a large salver and flatware M.SOTIERIOU - ' Μ.ΣΩΤΗΕΡΙΟΥ '     Seen on a beaker THERAPON - ' ΦΕΡΑΠΩΝ '     Seen on flatware

 The nineteenth century was one of big changes in Greece. We haven't been able to find a reference book on silver made in this period. Much was unmarked, even though the Ottoman Empire had an assay system for silver. There have been a few examples of pieces stamped just with a maker's mark. These probably date to the time of the newly independent Greece (from 1832). National hallmarks seem to have been proposed between 1832 and 1860, but were not put into use. One maker seen is 'K.GEORGIADES' ( Κ.ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΔHΣ). It has been noted on a large silver tray and a set of forks and spoons. Any info anyone has would be appreciated.  Tray sold a Sothebys, stamped twice with maker's mark Example of maker's mark on set of forks

Corfu is one of the Greek Ionian islands. Although not the largest island geographically, it has been the one with the largest population for centuries. The British began to occupy the Ionian Islands after the defeat of Napoleon and reached Corfu in 1815. The period of English rule was generally a prosperous period for Corfu because the Greek language became official, new roads were built, the water supply system was improved and the first Greek University was founded in 1824. Although Corfu was never under the control of the Ottoman Empire, its inhabitants helped the rest of Greece financially during the Greek Revolution. On the 21st of May, 1864, the Ionian Islands were donated by the British to the new King of Greece, George I, annexed to the modern Greek state and have been an official part of it ever since. There hasn't been a lot of published research on the silver production of that period, but there are various attributed marks. These marks all include a ship with initials,...

 We haven't been able to find much information on artist and silversmith Catherine L Charles.  She exhibited a self-portrait (pictured below) at the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition, 1928. She exhibited from 1928-37 in Edinburgh, Scotland and was quite active until at least 1946. At the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, she exhibited at least eight pieces and one other was shown at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Other examples by her include a winter mill scene and a still life of a vase with roses She was producing sterling silverware in the Arts and Crafts style in Scotland in the 1940s. A number of examples of her work can be found. Her maker's mark is 'CLC'. We have a number of pieces by her currently in stock.  A sterling butter fork by CL Charles Catherine's maker's mark and hallmarks for Edinburgh 1944 PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST, 1928.  (Courtesy Mellors and Kirks Auction via Invaluable)

Thomas Henry Raysmith started his business in 1876 in Newcastle, New South Wales as Watchmaker, Jeweller and Engraver.  He appears to have also been a silversmith. His work was quoted in the newspaper regarding "the immense number of Masonic jewels, medals, badges, and other trophies manufactured by him bearing testimony to their quality ". By the end of his career, he was know as Jeweller and Silversmith.  Below is a nice heavy colonial sterling serviette ring stamped 'RAYSMITH', made probably circa 1890-1900.  He closed his shop in the 1920s.  He passed away 1935 aged 77. Below is a gold pocketwatch by Raysmith. 

Various spoons have appeared with an interesting set of colonial pseudo hallmarks. So far only fiddle pattern teaspoons have been seen. Interestingly there are at least two sizes of teaspoons. Most have be found in Australia (although it has also turned up in England as well).  All of the spoons are found with four pseudo marks: A bird - most likely an emu or ostrich A crown Gothic letter C Leopards Head Also, a number of them are found with a maker's mark 'JM'   There have been some attempts to attribute this mark, but most confidently it can be said to be possibly Australian.  The engravings on the front of the various spoons seem to show a variety of engravers. Below are two examples. 

Elizabeth Bainbridge is the only nineteenth century Dublin female silversmith we've come across. Her work comes up reasonably often, but aside from her name and that she was a watchmaker, we couldn’t easily find any other information.   It appears Elizabeth was the wife of long time Dublin watchmaker George Bainbridge. They married in 1768, with an entry in FAULKNERS DUBLIN JOURNAL: 1768, 2nd July. Marriage. Mr.George Bainbridge, an eminent Watchmaker to Miss. Meares, an agreeable young lady, with a handsome fortune.  George Bainbridge was working at 54 Bolton Street, Quarter-brother from approximately 1766 until his death in 1800. Although a record of his will exists on the indexes, it was destroyed by the 1922 Four Courts fire.  Elizabeth registered her mark with the Dublin Assay office around 1802.  Example of Elizabeth Bainbridge's makers mark along with Dublin sterling hallmarks It appears also she kept running the business from the same location, with a li...

Royal Doulton was already popular in New Zealand by the start of the twentieth century. This was largely thanks to John Shorter across the Tasman who although based in Sydney, ensured that New Zealand was also provided with a wide choice of Royal Doulton products.   With both the New Zealand Exhibition in 1906 and 1907 and with New Zealand achieving dominion in 1907, a special design was launched inspired by Maori Art. This was largely produced in the series ware in china, but there was also a range produced by the Lambeth factory in stone ware. First introduced in 1907, it may also have been revived again in 1925. There appears to be two main combinations found: a gloss blue glazed based decoration and a matt brown base with green decoration, also seen is a green based gloss glaze.  Known shapes: Jardinieres 19cm high, 20cm wide - pattern number 6783 19cm high, 21cm wide - pattern number 6291 16.5cm high, 21cm wide - pattern number 6301 (?) 11.5cm high, 16cm wide Vases S...

Lots of presentation pieces are lost over the years, a number remain in family possession, some have been given away, a lot sadly were melted down. We thought it would be good to list some of them, just in case they turn up somewhere. :)  The SS Gothenburg was shipwrecked off the coast of QLD in the 1870s. It was on a voyage from Palmerston (Modern day Darwin) to Adelaide. Of the 22 survivors, three were awarded gold bravery medals. We have a great image of the medals from the newspaper at the time, but no sign of them since them. Inscribed "for bravery at Wreck of the Gothenburg 24 Feb 1875". Hopefully they are still in the family rather than lost or melted down. We would love to hear if anyone knows that they still exist.  The three recipients for the medal were: Mr James Fitzgerald Mr John Cleland Mr Robert Brazil From left: Robert Brazil, John Cleland and James Fitzgerald in 1875

 Henry Newman opened his business not long after he arrived in Melbourne in 1852. He exhibited jewellery in 1866 at the Intercolonial Exhibition. In 1903, his advertisement lists him as watchmaker, jeweller, silver and goldsmith, optician, lapidary, diamond setting and opal merchant...quite a skill set!  Henry and his son, Fred, were also involved in the pearling industry in Western Australia - they were partners with an Adelaide gentleman in a big pearling fleet. He died in 1913 and the business was continued by his sons.  An adveristing card for Henry Newman, 1910 Source: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-77779355 As well as a gold mark of a Newman bell, his jewellery and silver is often stamped 'NEWMAN'.  Below is an example of Henry's work colonial silver work. A small silver pill box. Inscribed for Nov 1898, it is stamped on the inside of the lid with 'ST.SILVER' and 'NEWMAN'.

There has not been a lot of material published on New Zealand Jewellers. In our silver travels, we come across a number of jewellers who also made sterling silver items. We will continue to provide a brief bio and example of the maker's marks of various NZ jewellers as we come across them.  Alex L Cooke took over the jewellery business of AG Barlett in 1895. The business was located on Devon Street, New Plymouth. He closed his business in 1927 when his shop was required by the Taranaki Amusements Company. Advertisement for AL Cooke in the Taranaki Herald, 30 Oct 1895 Below are three examples of his silver work and maker's mark, "A.L Cooke".  Sterling and Greenstone Souvenir Spoon by AL Cooke (images courtesy Dunbar Sloane Auctioneers) Set of serveitte rings and maker's mark A.L Cooke.  Presentation Trowel dated 1905 (Image courtesy Cordy's Auctions)

F & W Stewart, Jewellers, was established at 147 Charles Street, Launceston, in 1879 by brothers Frederic and William Stewart. The Stewart brothers are considered Tasmania's first medallists. The business prospered, and was listed as a shareholder in the Princess River Gold Mining Company in 1887. In 1902 the brothers purchased a property at 100 Charles Street, where the business remains to this day, still in family hands. According to Roger McNeice, it was described as a 'palatial jewellery establishment' and one of the finest in Australia. The company struck 'quite a few' medallions and medalets for local events and exhibitions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The issues are of importance because they cover five major events: the Launceston Industrial Exhibition of 1886-67, the Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1887, the Tasmanian exhibition of 1891-92, the Centenary of Launceston 1906 and the Australian Natives' Association Exhibition, Launcest...

The Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW was a guild of artists in New South Wales, Australia established in 1906 by 6 craftspeople. The Society held its first exhibition in 1907 and continued to hold annual exhibitions into the 1930s, with works of metalwork, jewellery, pottery, china painting, weaving, embroidery and pokerwork displayed and sold. Henry Farmer was a former mayor of Manly and with his wife Rachel had two daughters, Helen and Marjorie. The two Farmer sisters were involved in the Society in the late 1920s-early 1930s. Helen already had a reputation as an artist, being well known for her etchings. Her younger sister Marjorie was more of a jack of all trades and is recorded as creating a number of different pieces in different mediums. She also served on the executive in 1928. After the death of their parents, both sisters moved out to Bathurst in 1936 and lived there for the rest of their lives. A description of some of the work noted by Miss Farmer and other members....