Textiles and Stuff 

This is a delightful silver caddy spoon, hallmarked and dated for 1835. It bears the king’s head, date letter, London mark and a maker’s mark in the form of an oblong containing three pairs of initials and a star. The first two sets of initials are indistinct but the third pair CL is clear and I think refer to John, Henry and Charles Lias of London. It is engraved in the bowl with a spotted bird, a thrush perhaps, sitting on a vine and surrounded by grapes and leaves. It has a fiddle pattern handle which bears the monogram S E. It is in very good condition, with a few marks of use commensurate with its age.

This is a delightful Edwardian teether with a silver rattle attached. The teether is made of some sort of composition and the silver rattle, which is decorated with cherubs, is hallmarked for Birmingham for the year 1909 with the maker’s mark A & L Ld. which I believe is for Adie & Lovekin Ltd., 1894-1927. The ring measures just over an inch in diameter and the rattle is 1 1/2 inches long. There is a length of old silk ribbon attached. This teether is in very good condition and would make an excellent antique gift for a new baby or be added to a collection of silverware.

This is a very attractive set of six place card holders in Continental silver with the 800 mark. They are in the shape of a flute made of a scrolled sheet of silver to hold a posy or flower and the base is a scallop shell. Positioned on the shell is a small ball (a pearl?) with a small slit to hold the guest’s name. Next to the 800 mark is another mark which seems to contain figures, but I am unable to decipher it. The place card holders measure 2 1/2 inches high (6.4 cms.) and the base is 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cms.) wide. They are in very good condition and would lend elegance to any dining table - a wonderful Christmas present for the hostess with style!