Rare Dutch Silver Miniature Fireplace Set – Dated 1853

A very nice and unusual miniature fireplace set made of solid silver from the Netherlands.  It carries the silver Dutch sword hallmark and also the date code for 1853 on each piece in the set, being made to the .833 silver standard at the time.

The fireplace itself is finely engraved with a decorative inner border, an engraved face at top center, a heraldic schield to the left of the firplace box and a crown to the right of it.  The fireplace also has a raised rope work outer border.  The fender has both a raised top and bottom border, as well as engraved decoration.  Both handled urns have the same heraldic cherubs engraved upon them.  The coal skuttle also has a line of decorative engraving around the entire opening.  

This is a wonderful and rare miniature silver set that you may never encounter again.  The set pictured will also include two items not shown and which accompanied it to my possession, a 19th century carved bone long handled ash pan, and a pair of fireplace tongs, both of which were not a part of the original set but were most likely added to the set by a later collector.

Size of the fireplace and mantle alone is 4 1/4 ” H  x  7 ” W  x  1 5/8″ D.

Size of coal suttle is 2 ” H  x  3 1/8 ” W  x  1 3/8 ” D.

Size of each urn is 1 7/8 ” H  x  1 1/2″ W.

Weight of all five silver pieces are 239.7 grams (7.71 troy ounces)

A 1350H     -     OIL    

18th & 19th century Solid Silver English Meat Skewers

Starting during the mid-18th century, English silversmiths began to hand fashion meat skewers of solid silver, which were used by wealthy families to hold meat roasts on the dining table for presentation, as well as for holding the roasts for carving.  These early silver examples can also be found in slightly shorter lengths, which would have been used to hold smaller meat items such as domestic poultry and wild game.  While the solid silver examples were only owned and used  by the wealthiest of families, starting in the second quarter of 19th century they began to appear in silver plated versions, at which time they began to be purchased by the less affluent for use in Sunday and other special dinner occasions.

  Today these skewers are collected as part of an early antique silver collection, and many general antique collectors purchase one or twoof them to use as letter openers for their home and business desks, a function they are well suited for.  Some collectors today also put them to use for the very reason they were originally designed, skewering a nice roast on the table  for a Sunday or special occassion meal.

This form is still made today by contemporary English silversmiths, with all the approprite hallmarks and date marks, but in a size today that is specifically intended for its use as a letter opener.

Rare Miniature Toy Silver Meat Skewer and a Standard Example – Dated 1800 & 1804

These two early English silver meat skewers are of the standard design of the period and made within four years of each other.  They are excellent examples of both the common and extremely uncommon within this collecting segment.

The larger skewer was made by Fuller White of London in 1804, is in a standard commonly encountered shape, is 10 3/4 ” long and weighs 79.2 grams (2.5 troy ounces).

The smaller one is literally the tiniest early silver skewer I have ever personally encountered.  It has the same commonly found shape, with hallmarks for 1800 but no makers mark, is just 1 7/8″ long and weighs a mere 1.7 grams (0.05 troy ounces).  Yet it is perfectly made with miiature hallmarks used.  Obviously made for use as a toy and purchased by the very wealthy parents of a child during that period.

Both of these would make an excellent display together to call attention to the vast contrast in size, but are priced separately for the convenience of the collector.

Miniature Silver Meat Skewer Dated 1800:

1393     –     MLT

Standard Silver Meat Skewer Dated 1804:

1352     –     NFO

Two Solid Silver & One Close-Plated Silver Meat Skewers – 18th/19th c

Three early English silver meat skewers pictured left to right:  

LEFT  

Solid sterling silver.  Hallmarked for London, 1743, but with no maker’s mark.  Size is 12 1/4″ long and heavy at a solid 4 Troy ounces of silver (125.4 grams).

A1293H     –     RRE

 Middle  

Solid sterling silver.  Hallmarked for “John Wakelin & William Taylor” in London, 1783.  Size is 14″ long and another heavy one at 4.3 Troy ounces (133.1 grams) of silver.

A1300H     –     TLH

 RIGHT  

A close plated (or clad) example which pre-dates the use of silver electroplating.  In close plating  a layer of silver foil was soldered to a metal base.  No hallmarks of any kind, just the family crest of a lion on one side.  It dates to circa 1830.  Size is 15 1/8″  long and the weight is 2.9 standard ounces.

A1320     -     MOH

Sterling Silver Spectacles -  With Original Case – London, England 1809

A pair of hallmarked sterling silver spectacles made in London England in 1809, along with a rare surviving original leather case for the glasses.  The temples fold in on themselves to make the glasses smaller for storage in the carrying case.  Other than some expected light scratches to the lenses, everything is in excellent condition.

Size:  Width of Frame is 4 1/4″ - Length of Case is 5 1/2″

A1337H     –     OEH

Excellent Large Repousee Dutch Brass Candlebox – Circa 1780-1800

Made in heavy sheet brass this candle box is richly ornamented with repousse decoration combined with prolific punchwork.  Early candle boxes are much more common in wood and tin,  but even for a brass candle box this one is an exceptional example.  Meant to hang on a wall to keep the animal fat candles out of the reach of rodents, as were common in an early home.  A highly desirable example!

Size is 10 1/2″ L  x  7 3/4″ H  x  4 1/4″ D

A268B     –     RHD

Tobacco or Snuff Box – “Industry” – American Tole – circa 1800

 A rare American tin tobacco or snuff box dating to the late 18th century or early 19th century.  Paint and tin are in exceptional condition.  The word “Industry” as well as a pictured beehive, the symbol for industry, is notable on this example.

Size is 2 1/4″ H  x  3″ L

A1315H     –     ODH

Dutch Grass Heemskerk Candlestick – circa 1730

A fine, elegant and heavy mid-drip pan candlestick with an excellent and gracefull appearance, a tulip shaped socket and no damage, dents or cracks.  Sometime during the 19th century as the peened central rod wore and the candlestick became loose, the original rod was replaced with a threaded rod.

Size is 7 9/16 ” H  x  4″ Diameter

B403C     –     EDD     –     $975