Silver Spoon Antiques

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 Squat 20cm high

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'.