Silver Spoon Antiques

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

A lovely two-handled cup by Bassé (Source: Bonhams Australia) Not one of the big names of Adelaide silversmithing, I think Frederick Bassé is underrated! His larger pieces show an elegant simplicity. Both a Jeweller and a Silversmith, Bassé produced pieces from the early 1880s until his death in 1913. His firm continued under his widow, trading as F. Bassé and Co until around 1923. An example of Bassé's hallmarks A plain but heavy silver box by Bassé

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 couple years ago, I posted about Adelaide's most prolific silversmith, J.M Wendt .  In that post, I showed pictures of two of his serviette rings.  Following I've posted a number of further examples.  As you can, he produced a variety of different types and used a number of different maker's marks.  These all date from the 1880s-1890s. A lovely example of the Aesthetic movement. Circe 1880 One modelled on a belt bucket.  These are among the most collectable Bright-cut engraving of leaves on this one.  And note this is while he had shops in Adelaide and Broken Hill.  c.1890 An bright-cut pattern. Plain serviette rings, but what great initialling! Another example showing influence from the Aesthetic Movement.

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

Australian silver is a lot rarer than its English counterparts. Although produced from the early 1800's, most Australian silver is to be found from the 1880's onwards.  There was no standardised system of hallmarking, but pseudo British marks were often used.  One of the most prolific Australian silversmiths of the second half of the nineteenth century was South Australian, JM Wendt.   Example One - Wendt Serviette Ring circa 1890 Joachim Matthias Wendt (1830-1917), silversmith, was born on 26 June 1830 in Holstein, Denmark (now part of modern day Germany). He was apprenticed to a watchmaker and learned the silversmith's craft. He migrated to Adelaide in 1854 where he set up as J. M. Wendt, watchmaker and jeweller. The success of his business allowed him to move into a new shop in Rundle Street. In 1860s and 1870s, Wendt won numerous awards for his work, including first prizes in the Dunedin Exhibition, New Zealand (1864 and 1865) and the Paris Universal Exhib

It is always worth having a look at each spoon in a boxed set...especially if they don't quite match. Here we have a boxed 'set' of golf club teaspoons and a pair of sugar tongs. Silver plated and priced at $45. What would you think? I picked up each one and each was marker as APEX silverplate. Except the last one! It was hallmarked as Australian Sterling Silver, made by Fairfax and Roberts. Not the 'Stg' for sterling as the third mark. I asked the dealer his best price for the set...$30. A nice 1920's-30's Australian sterling silver teaspoon. In itself well worth a price of $30.