Silver Spoon Antiques

Benjamin Tait was based in Dublin. He produced quite a large amount of silversmith in his relatively short career. He worked from around 1784 to 1791. His workshop was near Bride Street, in the inner city of of Dublin. His most common makers marks have a serrated edge and are clearly recognisable. Example of Benjamin Tait's maker mark He made a number of different pieces, but appears to have specialised in flatware. Below are four examples of his bright-cut pattern sugar tongs. His tongs are often much smaller than other Irish examples, the first three displayed measure between 13.5-14.5cm. The fourth pair are of a more common Irish size and measure just under 17cm. Bright-cut Sugar Tongs with rounded shell bowls by Tait Bright-cut Sugar Tongs with concave design Bright-cut Sugar Tongs with flower pattern Large pair of Sugar Tongs by Tait, in a much more typically Irish size and style

Silver from the Colonies... The British Empire sprung from overseas possessions and trading posts set-up by England from the end of the 16th century.  Although it was in the early 20th century that it was at its peak, it began being referred to as the British Empire in the nineteenth century.   A map showing the British Empire in 1886 Although the bulk of sterling silver items were made in the United Kingdom and exported to the colonies, wherever there were significant populations, gold and silversmiths were there working.  Items produced by these local silversmiths are known as 'British Colonial Silver'.   The most common (and most researched) places that British colonial silver will turn up from are India, Canada, South Africa and Australia.  Each of these have some great reference books available (let me know if you are interested in any of these, as I often have copies for sale).   An impressive piece made by Wendt, Australia (Image: Lawsons Auctio

A question often asked is ' How much is this item worth? ' or ' What value would you put on this piece?'  Indeed the climaxes on Antiques Roadshow are when values are announced, either elating the owner with a high valuer or disappointing others with a low one.  The hard thing when it comes to valuing an item is there is actually a number of values a single item can have.  Here is a list of some different types of values, from lowest to highest: Wholesale - This is the price a dealer would pay.  This value has to include room for a decent mark-up for the dealer, often 100% (this covers other overheads as well as some profit) Auction - Auctions are where the dealers and customers meet, often cheaper than retail, there is always the exception when two bidders decide they both want an item! Retail - often at least triple the wholesale price, this is because only does a dealer need to make a living, they also need to pay for other costs such as utilities, insurance,

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As I've mentioned before  Australian silver is a lot scarcer than its English and European counterparts. Although produced from the early 1800's, most Australian silver is to be found from the 1880's onwards.  Often Australian silver will be found stamped 'Stg Silver' or similar (unlike English silver which has had a legal system for hallmarks for hundreds of years).   Henry Young is one of my favourite Australian silversmiths.  I'm always keeping an eye out for pieces of his to buy for my own collection (let me know if you have any to sell!).  He had a unique style of engraving his wares, from serviette rings through to large trophies. A picture of Henry Young's shop Thomas Young, the father of Henry Young, founded his business in 1854 and by 1865 was trading as Thomas Young and Son at 47 Stephen Street, Melbourne. Henry Young and Co. was established by 1882 at 53 Collins Street East, and by June 1883 had moved to new premises at 49-51 Coll