Click on
Thumbnails
below

Description — clicking on underlined text brings up extra full size images of each piece

Stock number

Queen Anne Dognose fork London 1708 Isaac Davenport

A Queen Anne Dognose pattern tablefork with three tines made in London in 1708 by Isaac Davenport, initialled {CT}.

Price: £995.00

 

8855
Victorian Old English tablefork York Barber North 1838 townmark Yorkshire Club

A Victorian Old English pattern tablefork, of unusually heavy gauge (3 Troy Ounces), by James Barber and William North York 1838-9 (additionally struck with the town mark), crested with a Yorkshire rose (for the Yorkshire Club) .
Price: SOLD

The Yorkshire Club was founded in York around 1825 along the lines of the Gentleman's Clubs of London and purchased its first clubhouse at 5 St. Leonard's Place in 1839. In 1866 the Club moved to new purpose built premises with a river frontage- aptly named River House. Like many such institutions the Yorkshire Club became less popular by the mid twentieth century and they sold their silver at Christie's in 1969. Both their previous properties still stand: No. 5 St. Leonard's Place has been converted into flats and River House is now occupied by the Estate Agency Savill's and Pizza Express.

 

8020
Six George III Fiddle pattern tableforks Edinburgh 1799 Robert Wilson Duke of York's Light Dragoons Baldwin Wake

A set of six George III Fiddle pattern tableforks made in Edinburgh in 1799 by Robert Wilson (of Canongate) , engraved with the badge of the Duke of York's Own Light Dragoons and two of them are engraved with the crest of the Wake family.

Price: SOLD

The 28th, or Duke of York's Own Light Dragoons was raised in 1795 to counter the threat of the French Revolutionary government and was disbanded in 1802 following the declaration of peace between the two nations heralded by the Treaty of Amiens. Although this peace lasted for only one year, the regiment was not reformed when hostilities restarted. Throughout the short life of this regiment the surgeon attached to them was Baldwin Wake (1774-1842) and his family crest is engraved on two of these forks. In civilian life Wake went on to run the lunatic asylum in York and testified to the insanity of Jonathan Martin when he started a serious fire in York Minster in 1829.

It is reasonable to assume that the regimental silver was broken up in 1802 and two of these forks were acquired by Wake and the other four were acquired by another officer (this time one who did not engrave their crest on them). If so then this is the first time these six have been together since 1802.

More details about the regiment and Baldwin Wake are available.

Provenance of the two forks with the Wake crest: A. B. L. Dove FSA.

 

 


8675
Charles II cannon handle knife fork WP heart William Boswell A Charles II cannon handled knife and fork with silver handles and steel blade and tines, circa 1670 the handles by WP in a heart (unidentified) and the steel elements by William Boswell (active from 1669).
Price:SOLD
8068
George III three prong Hanoverian Old English tablefork Canongate circa 1770 Michael Forrest Canongate c. 1770 Brodie

A George III Hanoverian or Old English pattern tablefork with three tines, by Michael Forrest of Canongate circa 1770, crested for Brodie.
Price:SOLD

The traditional family lands of the Clan Brodie are Morayshire and Nairnshire and given Canongate's location in the centre of Edinburgh it is tempting to suggest William Brodie (1741-1788) as a possible owner of this fork.

William Brodie, now better known as Deacon Brodie, was the son of Francis Brodie who held the important post of Convenor of the Trades in Edinburgh. William went on to be a succesful cabinet maker, an Edinburgh City Councillor and Deacon of the Wrights and Masons of Edinburgh. In his high profile civic career Brodie socialised with the wealthy elite of Edinburgh and as part of his cabinet making enterprise Brodie also traded as a locksmith. This lead to his being employed widely in this capacity throughout the city.

Unfortunately Brodie was leading a double life with five children by two mistresses as well as mounting gambling debts. The need to fund this second life, and the excitement derived from the activity, meant that Brodie was also the leader of a team of house breakers and bank robbers. In 1768 his gang stole £800 from a bank vault, using keys he had copied. In 1788 Brodie was chosen as a juror in the High Court, a prestigious position, but that year also saw him arrested for an armed raid on the Excise Office, during which he was heard singing part of the Beggar's Opera. The gang escaped with only £16 when an employee returned unexpectedly, but one of them turned King's evidence and named two of his associates (but not Brodie). Nonetheless Brodie attempted to flee to America but was arrested in Amsterdam, having left letters on the boat he travelled on from London for another mistress in Edinburgh (despite travelling incognito). Initially there had been no hard evidence against him but then they found copied keys, his disguise and pistols hidden in his workshop. Brodie was returned to Edinburgh and hanged in October 1788.

Brodie was the subject of an unsuccesful play by Robert Louis Stevenson (whose father owned furniture made by Brodie) but is supposed to have inspired Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. There are pubs in New York and Ottawa named after Brodie (as well as one in Edinburgh a short distance from Canongate).

8151
Victorian King's pattern tablefork London1862 Robert Garrard Edward VII

A Victorian King's pattern tablefork made in London in 1862 by Robert Garrard, engraved with the badge, coronet, initials and Garter motto for the future King Edward VII.
Price:SOLD

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (1841-1910), the future King Edward VII, was the eldest son and second child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Although it was overshadowed by the death of his father the previous year 1862 saw the Prince of Wales reach his majority and the announcement of his engagement to Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925).

These last two events were pivotal as they meant the Prince gained his own household, independent from that of the monarch. The Prince gained the use of a London home, Marlborough House in St. James's, and Sandringham in Norfolk was purchased for him as a private country residence. In 1863 The Prince married Princess Alexandra. The Prince inherited the throne in 1901 and he reigned until 1910.

The date of this fork makes it very likely to be from the first service the Prince of Wales on the establishment of his own household (whether at Marlborough House or Sandringham). Circumstantial evidence suggests that the service may have been created piecemeal as a King's pattern saltspoon with the same engraving but made by Francis Higgins is recorded in the Royal Collection.

8395

 

Victorian Adelaide pattern fork Crown die London 1837 Mary Chawner Queen Adelaide

A Victorian Adelaide pattern tablefork with the Royal Crown in the die and initialled AR for Adelaide Regina (to show that it was part of the service created for Queen Adelaide herself) made in London in 1837 by Mary Chawner.

Price: £SOLD

Adelaide of Saxe-Meinengen (1792-1849) married William Duke of Clarence (1765-1837) in 1818. When he succeeded his brother, George IV, as King in 1820 she became his consort and was a popular monarch. On William's death in 1837 Adelaide became Dowager Queen and was a favourite of her niece Queen Victoria. Adelaide pattern is one of only two patterns named after a person or family where they are known to have owned a set- the other being Devonshire pattern of which there is a service still at Chatsworth.

This pattern appears in an internal document listing the dies used in the Chawner workshop which is now held in the library of the Goldsmiths' Company in London. The document records this pattern as 'Queen Dowager (Raised Crown)' and also lists a set of dies with 'Crown out'. This might suggest that the original dies were made for the Queen and the crown was removed to allow for sale to other customers. This pattern (with crown) is listed as number 14 in Private Die-Struck Heraldic Flatware 1780 – 1900 by Luke Delmas and Luke Schrager (published in Silver Studies 38 [2022] and in The Finial, the Journal of the Silver Spoon Club of Great Britain, volumes 33/06 [July/August 2023] and 34/01 [September/October 2023]).

 

9205
Six George III Old English dessert forks London 1811 Richard Crossley

Six George III Old English pattern dessert forks made in London in 1811 by Richard Crossley, initialled {CMR}
Price: £325.00

8334
George III three tine prong Hanoverian tablefork Dublin 1764 Alexander Richards

A George III Hanoverian pattern tablefork with three tines made in Dublin in 1764 by Alexander Richards, crested with a demi lion rampant.
Price: £295.00

 


8416
George II 3 prong Hanoverian fork London 1755 Isaac Callard A George II Hanoverian pattern tablefork with three tines, by Isaac Callard London 1755, crested with a bear's paw holding a yoke on the back of the stem and a sun over a mound on the back of the heel (very similar crests to both of these are used by branches of the Hay family).
Price: £265.00
7718
George II three prong Hanoverian tablefork London 1757 Isaac Callard

A George II Hanoverian pattern tablefork with three tines made in London in 1757 by Isaac Callard.
Price: £245.00

 


8357

William III fork dognose silver gilt cut decoration Amsterdam circa 1880

A William III of the Netherlands silver-gilt dognose tablefork with cut decoration circa 1880, engraved with arms in accollee beneath a coronet. This fork is struck with two pseudo hallmarks- E8 and an indistinct one.

Price: £225.00

In the aftermath of the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851, pioneered by Prince Albert in the face of strong opposition, there appears to have been an increase in interest in old silver in the Netherlands. This led to a lack of old pieces available on the market and silversmiths in Amsterdam and surrounding areas made objects in a traditional style but using the technology now available. They also used punches that looked, at first glance like punches from the earlier period.

9370
six George III Old English pattern dessert forks London 1817 Robert Rutland Six George III Old English dessertforks, by Robert Rutland London 1817, crested with a demi-lion rampant holding a fleur-de-lys .
Price: £225.00
7117

George II Hanoverian dessert fork three tine London 1754 Ebenezer Coker

A George II Hanoverian pattern dessert fork made in London in 1754 by Ebenezer Coker.

Price: £195.00

 

 

9250

Pair George III tableforks Old English York 1805 Prince and Cattles

 

A pair of George III Old English pattern tableforks (with the handles turning down) made in York in 1805 by Prince and Cattles, initialled {WMT}.

Price: £190.00

Provenance: Collection of A. B. L. Dove FSA

 

 

9130z
George III Fiddle pattern sardine fork Chester 1838 George Lowe Gubbins Collection

A Victorian Fiddle pattern sardine fork, by George Lowe Chester 1838, crested with a lion's head pierced by an arrow.
Price: £175.00

This fork was once part of the collection of Martin Gubbins (1916-2001) and was sold at auction in 2002 as part of lot 144.

7307
George III Hanoverian three tine tablefork London 1762 James Tookey

A George III Hanoverian pattern tablefork with three tines made in London in 1762 by James Tookey.

Price: SOLD

 

 

 

8859
Victorian front marked tablefork Hanoverian Old English Newcastle 1839 Reid

A Victorian tablefork hallmarked on the front (suitable for use with Hanoverian or Old English patterns) made in Newcastle in 1839 by the Reid family, engraved with an armorial.

Price: £165.00

The unusual position of the hallmarks on this fork suggests that it was designed to be layed on the table face down (so that the armorial is visible and the hallmarks are not).

 

 


8763
George IV Fiddle picklefork Chester 1827 George Lowe A George IV Fiddle pattern pickle fork by George Lowe Chester 1827
Price: £155.00
7296
2 forks

A pair of Old English table forks, by James Barber and William North, York 1844, initialled {F}.
Price: £155.00
2 pairs available

5095z

 

George III Old English pattern dessert fork London 1802 Thomas Dexter inscription

A George III Old English pattern dessert fork made in London in 1802 by Thomas Dexter. It is engraved {Ex Dono P. Dealtry} on the back and {S. Parr, Joanni Bartlam 1816 D[ono] D[edit]}.

Price: £145.00

The inscription on the front of this fork relates to leading Whig Samuel Parr LLD (1747-1825) and John Bartlam DD (1770-1823) and the one on the reverse to Peregrine Dealtry (c. 1762-1814).

Samuel Parr attended Harrow School but for financial reasons was unable to complete his degree at Cambridge. He taught at Harrow from 1767-1771 and, following a failed attempt to secure the post of Headmaster, founded his own school at Stanmore. In 1776 he became Headmaster of Colchester Royal Grammar School and in 1778 of Norwich Grammar School. In addition to these posts Parr held a number of ecclesiastical livings and in 1785 he became a full time parish priest and also took private pupils to supplement his stipend (just as Jane Austen's father did).

The memoirs of Samuel Parr written by William Field (published in 1828) records that:

"Dr. Parr’s love of social intercourse led him to seek the pleasures of it, beyond the limits of his own neighbourhood, by frequent excursions to the residence of distant friends; and so extensive was his acquaintance, that he found, in almost every part of the kingdom, those whose doors gladly opened to receive him. There were few of his numerous visits of which he was accustomed to speak with more satisfaction than those to Mr. Dealtry of Bradenham, Mr. Bartlam of Alcester, and Dr. Maltby of Bugden" (p. 144).

Of Bartlam, Field records that "there was no one of his friends in whom he reposed greater confidence and for whom he felt more affectionate regard ..., formerly his pupil, afterwards his almost constant domestic visitant; who devoted himself for many years, by every kind and prompt exertion of personal service, to his ease and happiness; and on whose death, which happened two years before his own, Dr. Parr said, and might well say, “that the loss of a companion so amiable, and of a friend so faithful, was to him irreparable.” (pp. 143-144).

"Thomas Bartlam [had been taught by Parr at the winter of 1786 having been] expelled from Rubgy and the Doctor applied for permission to take him as a pupil. The request was granted; and Mr. Bartlam came to Hatton, where he had comfortable lodgings in the village, and received the same instruction that was given to the other pupils of Dr. Parr. His application there was diligent; his classical learning was considerable; and his good
behaviour and good nature so endeared him to the Doctor, as to produce a friendship, which continued to the end of his life” (p. 430).

Bartlam had "expired suddenly, in the shop of Mr. Lloyd, bookseller, Harley-street, London, March 6, 1823; and so great was the shock to Dr. Parr, that he never entirely recovered from it. A party of his friends had assembled to dine with him, and the dinner was just going on table, when the distressing intelligence arrived at Hatton. He instantly withdrew into a private apartment; where he remained so long that his friends were preparing to depart, when he returned: and having previously desired that no allusion might be made to the event, he sat down; conversed with them much as usual; and maintained, in an extraordinary manner, the command over his feelings during the whole evening. He was for some time afterwards accustomed to place a vacant chair on the very spot, which Mr. Bartlam had usually occupied at his table, and often looked at it in mournful silence; but never uttered his name" (p.293).

It is not specified when Peregrine Dealtry was taught by Parr but elsewhere in Parr's memoir William Field records that he was "son of Dr. Dealtry, formerly an eminent physician at York, was distinguished by a most upright and honourable mind, and by all those qualities which form the character of the worthy and the useful country
gentleman. He was the early pupil, and the constant friend of Dr. Parr" (p. 86).

Field notes that "Mr. Dealtry, who was usually mentioned among [Parr's] numerous friends by the name of Perry Dealtry, was a gentleman of very amiable character. His manners were simple and unassuming, without the smallest foppery or parade. None of the varied lines of affectation, or of vanity, ever discoloured any part of his conduct. The good which he did, and he did much, was done without any view to publicity, or any of the common stimulants of ostentation. His mind had not been very laboriously cultivated; but he was far from being wanting in discrimination; and he possessed much sterling good sense, without any of the glitter of superior illumination. He never made any pretensions to literature; but in fact his knowledge was more extensive than it appeared to a casual observer; and his remarks often indicated sagacity, and reflection" (page 419).

This fork must have belonged to an institution or social organisation of which all three friends were a member (Dealtry in 1802 when the piece was new and Parr and Bartlam in 1816) but it has not proved possible to establish the exact nature of this.

Provenance: A. B. L. Dove FSA

9166
George III Hanoverian tablefork London circa 1770 Judith Callard

A George III Hanoverian/Old English pattern tablefork, by Judith Callard of London (active 1768-1772), crested with a fish's head .
Price: £145.00

Judith L'Abbe (b. 1731) married the spoonmaker Paul Callard in 1748 and the evidence of the Rate Books shows that the King Street premises from which Paul, and later Judith, traded belonged to her father. She inherited the business on Paul's death and the records of the Goldsmiths' Company show that she was active from 1768-1772.

7991z
5 Old English dessertforks London 1835 Walter Jorden Five William IV Old English dessertforks, by Walter Jorden London 1835 .
Price: £145.00
6898
Victorian Lily pattern sardine fork Exeter 1863 Thomas Hart Stone

A Victorian Lily pattern sardine fork assayed in Exeter in 1863 by Thomas Hart Stone, initialled {S & MR}
Price: £140.00

On page 146 of his Silver flatware (1983) Ian Pickford comments that 'The Lily pattern was first produced in 1850, the design being registered that year by Elkington. It appears in the Chawner Company pattern book as Lily. The style is a good example of mid-Victorian naturalism. Services exist but are scarce; building a service would be possible'. A spoon of 1879 is illustrated on the same page of the book.


8441
M-o-p fruit-fork A large mother-of-pearl cased folding fruit fork with silver tines, marked with a lion passant and duty mark for Sheffield circa 1800.
Price: £140.00
5048

 

Victorian King's pattern variant dessert fork private die Bartholemew Glsagow 1837 Robert Gray and Sons

A Victorian 'Scottish Variant Kings' pattern dessert fork made in Glasgow in 1837 by Robert Gray and Sons with private die crest for Bartholemew of Glasgow .

Price: £135.00

This private die was included, numbered 9, in 'Private Die-struck heraldic flatware 1780-1900' (part 2) by Luke Delmas and Luke Schrager (The Finial volume 34-01, Sep-October 2023) and in Silver Studies 38.

 

9161
Victorian Fiddle table fork York 1856 James Barber Military Train

A Victorian Fiddle pattern tablefork engraved with the badge of the 6th Troop of the Military Train made in York in 1856 by James Barber, initialled {B}.

Price: £135.00

Many attempts were made to regulate the logistics of the British Army. A Royal Waggon Train had been founded in 1802 but this had been downgraded in 1815, after the Battle of Waterloo, and disbanded in 1832. However in 1855 the Crimean War saw a renewed need for an organisation of army logistics- the Land Transport Corps. In 1856 this was renamed the Military Train. In 1888 it was renamed the Army Service Corps. In 1918 this became the Royal Army Service Corps and in 1993 this was itself renamed the "Forming Corps" of the Royal Logistical Corps.

 

 

 

8991
George IV Fiddle Thread Shell tablefork London 1826 William Chawner Northumberland 5th Regiment of Foot

A George IV Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern tablefork made in London in 1826 by William Chawner for the 5th (Northumberland) Regiment of Foot.

Price: £135.00

The unit that became the Fifth Regiment of Foot in 1751 and the the Northumberland Regiment of Foot in 1782 was first formed as one of the British Regiments sent to aid Holland against France in 1674. From 1836 the Regiment were redesignated as Fusiliers and in 1881 were redesignated the Northumberland Fusiliers (from 1935 the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers). In 1968 they were one of the regiments amalgamated to form the Royal Fusiliers.

The combat history of the regiment saw it fight in Holland (for the future William III of Great Britain) and again for him in the Irish campaign of 1689-1691. Further deployments were in both Holland and Ireland before the move to Portugal from 1707-1713 (during the War of the Spanish Succession) and then to Gibraltar. The Seven Years War (1756-1763) saw the regiment on the continent (at the battle of Kirch Dechern in 1761 they captured an entire French regiment) and they were sent to America in 1774, where they were to remain until the withdrawal of British troops at the end of the War of Independence in 1778. The nineteenth century saw the regiment back in Spain and Portugal for the Peninsular War (1807-1814), where they became known as the 'Fighting Fifth' or 'Lord Wellington's Bodyguard', and pursued Napoleon into France before being deployed to Canada (therefore narrowly missing Waterloo). Further service saw them in India, during the rebellion of 1857, and the second Afghan War (where Conan-Doyle had Dr. Watson serve with them). The Regiment, under its various names went on to serve with distinction in the Boer War, both World Wars (by the Second of which it was a designated machine gun units and Korea.

There is a museum commemorating the history of the Regiment at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.

 


8764
George IV pair of Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern dessert forks London 1826 Baron Dinevor

Two George IV Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern dessert forks, one by Charles Eley London 1826 and the other by Jonathan Hayne London circa 1830. Both are engraved with the crest of George Rice, 3rd Baron Dinevor (1765-1852).
Price: SOLD

George Rice, 3rd Baron Dinevor (1765-1852) received his BA from Christchurch, Oxford in 1783 (followed by his MA 3 years later). In 1793, when he inherited the Barony of Dinevor from his mother, George (like his mother) changed his name by Royal Licence to De Cardonnel (that of his maternal grandmother's family). Unusually the Dinevor title had been inherited by his mother from her father, William 1st and only Earl Talbot. In 1817 George De Cardonnel, Baron Dinevor used another Royal Licence to resume his former name of Rice. George served as Member of Parliament for Carmarthen from 1790-1793. He was Lord Lieutenant of that county from 1804-1852. In 1794 he married Hon. Frances Townshend, daughter of 1st Viscount Sydney and they had two sons and five daughters.

7476
Folding fork A folding Old English thread table fork with steel hinge, by CZ, France circa 1860 (struck with a French export mark used between 1840 and 1879) .
Price: £120.00
6447
Victorian Old English pattern tablefork London 1845 George Adams Lincoln's Inn Simpson

A Victorian Old English tablefork (of unusually heavy gauge), by George Adams London 1845, engraved Lincoln's Inn and {T [over] Sir TAFS} and dated 1845 .
Price:SOLD

Lincoln's Inn, one of the Inns of Court to which British barristers belong, was founded around 1310. In 1845 the Treasurer was John Augustus Francis Simpkinson (1780-1851). Simpkinson was called to the Bar in 1806, appointed a King's Council and a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn in 1831. Within the Inn he also attained the posts of Master of the Walks in 1842, Keeper of the Black Book in 1843, Dean of the Chapel in 1836 and Librarian in 1839. During Simpkinson's tenure as treasurer Queen Victoria and Prince Albert opened the Great Hall of Lincoln's Inn. Simpkinson was Knighted during their visit.

 

7842z

 

William IV Fiddle pattern table fork Cape South Africa Frederik Waldek circa 1835

A William IV Fiddle pattern tablefork made in the Cape of Good Hope, circa 1835 by Frederik Waldek, crested with two axes in saltire.

Price: SOLD

2 forks available

9196

Victorian unnamed pattern fork London 1838 Mary Chawner Earl of Cardigan Light Brigade

 

A Victorian table fork of unnamed pattern made in London in 1838 by Mary Chawner, crested for the Earl of Cardigan.

Price: £110.00

2 forks available- it is interesting to note that these forks carry two different duty marks. The punch used in 1838 was engraved by John Smith, whose eye sight had been failing as early as 1833, whereas by 1839 the new duty mark by William Wyon had been introduced.

The Earldom of Cardigan was created for Thomas Brudenell in 1661, shortly after his restoration. However arguably the most famous holder of the title was the 7th Earl, James Thomas Brudenell (1797-1868), who inherited the title in 1837. He is best known for being in command of the Light Brigade at Balaklava during the Crimean war. Even before this he had had a controversial military career.

Having joined the army in 1819 through the purchase system enabled the Earl of Cardigan to become Lieutenant Colonel of the 15th Hussars by 1832. In 1833 he was court martialled and summarily dismissed by William IV and Lord Hill, the Commander-in-Chief, for his bullying behaviour within the regiment. By 1836 he had used his connections to be allowed to command the 11th Light Dragoons, even though Lord Hill still thought him "constitutionally unfit for command". He served with the regiment in India for 2 years, of which he spent four weeks with his troops.

However on Prince Albert's arrival in Britain for the Royal wedding in 1839 it was the 11th that was chosen to escort him from Dover to London. This lead to their being styled 'The 11th or Prince Albert's own Hussars'- a mark of distinction. The regiment became a much more prestigious one and Cardigan attempted to increase the social cache of the officers. This lead to similar, but more extreme, bullying from Lord Cardigan than he had indulged in in 1832. He was even prosecuted for fighting a duel with a subordinate, Captain Tucker, in 1841.

However, by seniority, he was promoted to Major General in 1854 and served in the Crimean War- where he lead the ill fated Charge of the Light Brigade losing 107 of the 674 men in the initial charge and many more from their wounds. The exact amount of culpability attributable to Cardigan has been debated ever since the action but one theory suggests that part of the problem was the acrimonious relationship with, Lord Lucan, the commander of the Heavy Brigade(also his brother-in-law). Very few doubted his courage but many his competence. In the weeks following Balaklava the remainder of Cardigan's command was posted inland at Inkerman, making his command less effective as he was living on his yacht the Dryad and missed the first day of the battle.

However on Cardigan's return the report of the gallant charge at Balaklava meant that he received a hero's welcome but questions were soon asked. Cardigan's military career lasted until 1866, when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant General. He died in 1868 having been thrown from his horse.

 

 

 

9139

Victorian unnamed pattern tablefork London 1839 Mary Chawner

 

A Victorian table fork of unnamed pattern made in London in 1839 by Mary Chawner, crested for the Earl of Cardigan.

Price: £110.00

2 forks available- it is interesting to note that these forks carry two different duty marks. The punch used in 1838 was engraved by John Smith, whose eye sight had been failing as early as 1833, whereas by 1839 the new duty mark by William Wyon had been introduced.

The Earldom of Cardigan was created for Thomas Brudenell in 1661, shortly after his restoration. However arguably the most famous holder of the title was the 7th Earl, James Thomas Brudenell (1797-1868), who inherited the title in 1837. He is best known for being in command of the Light Brigade at Balaklava during the Crimean war. Even before this he had had a controversial military career.

Having joined the army in 1819 through the purchase system enabled the Earl of Cardigan to become Lieutenant Colonel of the 15th Hussars by 1832. In 1833 he was court martialled and summarily dismissed by William IV and Lord Hill, the Commander-in-Chief, for his bullying behaviour within the regiment. By 1836 he had used his connections to be allowed to command the 11th Light Dragoons, even though Lord Hill still thought him "constitutionally unfit for command". He served with the regiment in India for 2 years, of which he spent four weeks with his troops.

However on Prince Albert's arrival in Britain for the Royal wedding in 1839 it was the 11th that was chosen to escort him from Dover to London. This lead to their being styled 'The 11th or Prince Albert's own Hussars'- a mark of distinction. The regiment became a much more prestigious one and Cardigan attempted to increase the social cache of the officers. This lead to similar, but more extreme, bullying from Lord Cardigan than he had indulged in in 1832. He was even prosecuted for fighting a duel with a subordinate, Captain Tucker, in 1841.

However, by seniority, he was promoted to Major General in 1854 and served in the Crimean War- where he lead the ill fatedCharge of the Light Brigade losing 107 of the 674 men in the initial charge and many more from their wounds. The exact amount of culpability attributable to Cardigan has been debated ever since the action but one theory suggests that part of the problem was the acrimonious relationship with, Lord Lucan, the commander of the Heavy Brigade(also his brother-in-law). Very few doubted his courage but many his competence. In the weeks following Balaklava the remainder of Cardigan's command was posted inland at Inkerman, making his command less effective as he was living on his yacht the Dryad and missed the first day of the battle.

However on Cardigan's return the report of the gallant charge at Balaklava meant that he received a hero's welcome but questions were soon asked. Cardigan's military career lasted until 1866, when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant General. He died in 1868 having been thrown from his horse.

 

 

 

9140

Victorian King's Husk pattern oyster fork London 1846 Elizabeth Eaton

 

A Victorian King's Husk pattern oyster fork made in London in 1846 by Elizabeth Eaton.

Price: £110.00

 

 

 

9122
George III Old English table fork continental drop London 1786 George Smith

A George III Old English pattern tablefork of continental design made in London in 1786 by George Smith.
Price: £110.00

Provenance: Collection of A. B. L. Dove FSA

8269
George IV Hanoverian Old English Thread tablefork square shoulders Edinburgh 1827 JMc Campbell of Barbreck

A George IV Old English Thread pattern table fork with shoulders, by JMc Edinburgh 1827, crested for Campbell of Barbreck.
Price: £110.00

Duncan Campbell of Lochnell and Barbreck (c.1763-1837) succeeded his great uncle to the Lochnell estates in 1765 and his uncle to those at Barbreck in 1794. Campbell married twice- to the Hon. Elenora Fraser in 1792 and, immediately following their divorce, to Augusta, daughter of Sir William Murray, 5th Baronet of Ochetrye in 1808. During his successful military career, which culminated in his promotion to full General in 1819, Campbell also served as Whig Member of Parliament for the Burghs of Ayr (an area controlled by the Campbells) from 1809-1818. During his time in Parliament Campbell is not recorded as ever having spoken in a debate and rarely voted. In 1817 it was alleged that he 'never goes till late and leaves early' describing Parliament as 'no object to himself [rather] an oppression'. In 1818 he resigned his seat in favour of his nephew and stood for the non-Campbell controlled seat of Berwick but was heavily defeated.

8168
Victorian parcel gilt fork oriental design London 1875 Barnards

A Victorian parcel-gilt dessert fork decorated in oriental style made in London in 1875 by the Barnards, engraved Marjorie to the reverse.
Price: £110.00

8199
Victorian Fiddle pattern picklefork Exter  1856 John Stone A Victorian Fiddle pattern picklefork, by John Stone Exeter 1856, initialled {C} .
Price:SOLD
7315
Fruit-fork A three-tined folding fruitfork with mother-of-pearl case, unmarked circa 1800 .
Price: £110.00
5901
 fork A fiddle pattern picklefork, by Philip Weekes Dublin 1809 (retailed by [GRAYS] of Belfast) , crested with a lion passant .
Price: £95.00
6458
 fork

A Hanoverian pattern sweetmeat fork, by Frederick Rudolph Precht Amsterdam 1751 .
Price: £95.00

 

5823
Victorian diamond jubilee dessert fork London 1897 Gibson Langman

A Victorian dessertfork commemorating the Queen's diamond jubilee decorated with the Royal arms, the bust of the Queen above the initials VR and a thistle and the dates 1837-1897. It was made in London in 1897 by Gibson and Langman.

Price: £90.00

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) inherited the throne of Great Britain on the death of her uncle, William IV, in 1837. She ruled until 1901 and her reign encompassed great technological and social changes. The death of her husband, Albert, in 1861 saw her all but retire from public life and lead to complaints from her subjects. However by the time of her golden jubilee in 1887 and her diamond jubilee in 1897 the monarchy saw a renewed popularity.

8909
George III Hanoverian Old English dessert fork London 1772

A George III Hanoverian/Old English pattern dessertfork, by John Lampfert London 1772.
Price: £85.00

2 forks available

8156
Victorian pickle fork London 1841 Lewis Samuel Liverpool Hewett crest A Victorian fiddle pattern pickle-fork with four tines, by Lewis Samuel (of Liverpool) London 1841, crested with a cockatrice and initialled {HRH} for a member of the Hewett family .
Price: £85.00
6940
William III Mary Queen Anne cannon handled fork steel tines Scottish circa 1700

 

 

A William and Mary/Queen Anne cannon handled fork with steel tines, circa 1700, by ?W or M?, initialled {GD [over] MS}

Price: £75.00

The style of the initials is one normally found on Scottish silver of the early 18th century.

 

 

9113
 fork

A New Gothic pattern dessert fork by George Adams London 1867 .
Price:£75.00

The design for the New Gothic pattern was registered on December 13th 1854.

6675
George IV Thread Shell knife fork London 1827 William Elliott

A George IV Fiddle Thread and Shell pattern/ Old English Thread and Shell pattern dessert knife and fork made in London in 1827 by William Elliott (also marked on the handles), crested with a Griffin's head.
Price: £75.00

 


8451
 fork A fiddle pattern pickle fork, made in Edinburgh in 1824 by CB (unidentified), initialled {EJ} .
Price:SOLD
6468
pickle fork 1893 William Gallimore and Sons A Victorian silver pickle fork with decorated handle, assayed by William Gallimore and Sons in Sheffield in 1893 .
Price: £65.00
7116

 

George II sweet meat fork silver handle steel tines circa 1730

A George II sweet meat fork with silver handle and steel tines, circa 1730

Price: £55.00

 

 

 

 

9153
George IV Old English pattern dessert fork London 1823 Robert Peppin A George III Old English pattern dessert fork, by Robert Peppin London 1823, crested with a crescent out of a coronet and initialled {TSI} or {TSJ} .
Price: £55.00
7147
 fork A feather-edge table fork, by Thomas Barker London 1809.
Price: £55.00
2 forks available
4885
 fork An Old English dessert fork, Exeter 1840 by W. R. Sobey crested with a bird.
Price: £55.00
3732
George III Fiddle dessertfork London 1808 Edward Lees A Fiddle pattern dessert fork by Edward Lees London 1808, crested with a lion's gamb holding a a sword around the blade of which a snake is entwined all beneath the motto Forti et fideli nil Difficile- possibly used by a member of the McCarthy or O'Callaghan families.
Price: £48.00
7891

George II pistol grip dessert fork steel tines circa 1730

 

A George II dessert fork with pistol handle, the steel tines are unmarked. The handle is unmarked circa 1730, crested with a porcupine.

Price: £45.00

 

 

 

9104
 fork A picklefork of unknown pattern Birmingham, c.1850 by James Collins.
Price: £32.00
3007
 fork A small fiddle, thread and shell fork by the Lias Brothers, London 1870 engraved LMF to WJL.
Price: £35.00
8863