Ladle Sterling Silver
What is this 1807 Liberty half-dollar Coin spoon/ ladle?
I recently found a ladle/ spoon made from Sterling silver that has an 1807 Liberty Draped Bust Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar embedded in it. It is stamped as being made by M.W.Galt.Bro&co. It is about 4 inches long and resembles a small shovel more than an actual spoon. It is heavily engraved on the handle and the coin shows through both sides of the piece. I know it was made between 1860-1875 because I looked up the company, but I can’t find any info on Silverware with coins embedded. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated. Thanks for your time.
The spoon itself is stamped sterling.
Also on the handle is either “1889″ or if read from the other direction “688V” or “G88V”. I don’t think it’s 1889 because the company whose mark is on the piece was only around from 1860-1875.
An interesting piece! Can’t really tell you anything about it, other than that older half dollars were still common at the time because they had been hoarded and used for bank reserves during the early years of the Republic. I own several spoons, made by my ancestors of that time, which were made from silver dollars, so this was a widespread practice of the day, no doubt because, at the time, the silver in the dollar was not worth a (gold) dollar but was worth more than a (paper) dollar. However, none of my spoons actually have the coin still visible in the melt.
Are you sure the rest of the spoon is sterling? Coinage silver is .900 fine. Early American coins were 22/24ths pure. My guess is that the rest of the spoon is coinage silver, not sterling.
Ladle Sterling Silver
Sterling silver
Origin of the alloy metal
Although the origin of the word “sterling” is controversial, there is general agreement that the sterling alloy originated in continental Europe, and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany.
Etymology
The earliest attestation of the term is in Old French form esterlin, in a charter of the abbey of Praux, dating to either 1085 or 1104. The english chronicler Orderic Vitalis (1075 – c. 1142) uses the Latin forms libr sterilensium and libr sterilensis monet. The word in origin refers to the newly introduced Norman silver penny.
The most plausible etymology is derivation from a late Old English *steorling “[coin] with a star”, as some early Norman pennies were imprinted with a small star.
There are a number of obsolete hypotheses. One suggests a connection with starling, and another supposed connection with easterling, a term for natives of the Baltic or the Hanse towns of eastern Germany. This etymology is itself medieval, suggested by Walter de Pinchebek (ca. 1300) with the explanation that the coin was originally made by moneyers from that region (OED).
A century of dining regalia: the silver craze of 1840 to 1940
19th-century Tiffany & Co. Pitcher. Circa 1871. Pitcher has paneled sides, and repousse design with shells, scrolls and flowers. Top edge is repousse arrowhead leaf design.
From about 1840 to somewhere around 1940 in the United States and Europe, sterling silver flatware became de rigueur when setting a proper table. In fact, there was a marked increase in the number of silver companies that emerged during that period.
The height of the silver craze was during the 50-year period from 1870 to 1920. Flatware lines during this period sometimes included up to 100 different types of pieces. In conjunction with this, the dinner went from three courses to sometimes ten or more. There was a soup course, a salad course, a fruit course, a cheese course, an antipasto course, a fish course, the main course and a pastry or dessert course.
Individual eating implements often included forks (dinner fork, place fork, salad fork, pastry fork, shrimp or cocktail fork), spoons (teaspoon, coffee spoon, demitasse spoon, bouillon spoon, gumbo soup spoon, iced tea spoon) and knives (dinner knife, place knife, butter spreader, fruit knife, cheese knife). This was especially true during the Victorian time period, when etiquette dictated that nothing should be touched with one’s fingers.
Serving pieces were often elaborately decorated and pierced and embellished with ivory, and could include any or all of the following: carving knife and fork, salad knife and fork, cold meat fork, punch ladle, soup ladle, gravy ladle, casserole serving spoon, berry spoon, lasagna server, macaroni server, asparagus server, cucumber server, tomato server, olive spoon, cheese scoop, fish knife and fork, pastry server, petit four server, cake knife, bon bon spoon, tiny salt spoon, sugar sifter or caster and crumb remover with brush.
Flatware sets were often accompanied by tea services, hot water pots, chocolate pots, trays and salvers, goblets, demitasse cups and saucers, liqueur cups, bouillon cups, egg cups, sterling plates, napkin rings, water and wine pitchers and coasters, candelabra and even elaborate centerpieces.
In fact, the craze with sterling even extended to business (sterling page clips, mechanical pencils, letter openers, calling card boxes, cigarette cases), to the boudoir (sterling dresser trays, mirrors, hair and suit brushes, pill bottles, manicure sets, shoehorns, perfume bottles, powder bottles, hair clips) and even to children (cups, flatware, rattles, christening sets).
A number of factors converged to make sterling fall out of favor around the time of World War II. The cost of labor rose (sterling pieces were all still mostly hand-made, with only the basics being done by machine). Only the wealthy could afford the large number of servants required for fancy dining with ten courses. And changes in aesthetics resulted in people desiring simpler dinnerware that was easier to clean.
Hallmarks
Over the years, most countries in the world have developed their own systems of hallmarking silver. The purpose of hallmark application is manifold:
To indicate the purity of the silver alloy used in the manufacture or hand-crafting of the piece.
To identify the silversmith or company that made the piece.
To note the date and/or location of the manufacture.
Miscellaneous
In addition to the uses of sterling silver mentioned above, there are some little known uses of sterling:
Medical instruments: Evidence of silver and/or silver-alloy surgical and medical instruments has been found in civilisations as early as Ur, Hellenistic-era Egypt and Rome, and their use continued until largely replaced in Western countries in the mid to late 20th century by cheaper, disposable plastic items. Its natural malleability is an obvious physical advantage, but it also exhibits medically-specific utility, including the fact that it is naturally aseptic, and, in respect of modern medical practices, it is resistant to antiseptics, heat sterilisation and body fluids.
Musical instruments: Due to sterling silver having a special sound character, some brasswind instrument manufacturers use 92.5% sterling silver as the material for making their instruments, including the flute and saxophones. For example, some leading saxophone manufactuers such as Selmer and Yanagisawa have crafted some of their saxophones from sterling silver, which they believe will make the instruments more resonant and colorful in timbre.
Tarnish and corrosion
As the purity of the silver decreases, the problem of corrosion or tarnishing increases.
Chemically, silver is not very reactivet does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so does not easily form a silver oxide. However, other metals in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.
The black silver sulfide (Ag2S) is among the most insoluble salts in aqueous solution, a property that is exploited for separating silver ions from other positive ions.
Sodium chloride (NaCl) or common table salt is known to corrode silver-copper alloy, typically seen in silver salt shakers where corrosion appears around the holes in the top.
The Wikibook Do-It-Yourself has a page on the topic of
Polishing silver
Several products have been developed for the purpose of polishing silver that serve to remove sulfur from the metal without damaging or warping it. Because harsh polishing and buffing can permanently damage and devalue a piece of antique silver, valuable items are typically hand-polished to preserve the unique patinas of older pieces. Techniques such as wheel polishing, which are typically performed by professional jewelers or silver repair companies, are reserved for extreme tarnish or corrosion. See also Tarnish, Removal.
References
All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks, 2nd printing (2007), by Diana Sanders Cinamon, AAA Publishing, San Bernardino, CA.
Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, by lexicographer Eric Partridge.
The Oxford English Dictionary, by John Simpson and Edmund Weiner.
Silver in America, 18401940: A Century of Splendor, third edition (1997), by Charles L. Venable; Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, NY.
Tiffany Silver Flatware, 18451905: When Dining Was an Art, by William P. Hood, Jr.; 1999; published by the Antique Collectors Club Ltd., Suffolk, England.
The Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, revised fourth edition (1998), by Dorothy T. Rainwater and Judy Redfield; Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA.
The Book of Old Silver, English American Foreign, With All Available Hallmarks Including Sheffield Plate Marks, by Seymour B. Wyler; 1937; Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, NY.
International Hallmarks on Silver Collected by Tardy, 5th English Language reprint (2000); original publication date unknown, date of first softcover publication 1985; author unknown; publisher unknown.
External links
Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker’s Marks, an award-winning site.
v d e
Jewelery
Forms
Anklet Belt buckle Belly chain Bracelet Brooch Chatelaine Crown Cufflink Earring lapel pin Necklace Pendant Ring Tiara Tie clip Watch (pocket)
Making
People
Bench jeweler Goldsmith Jewelry designer Lapidary Watchmaker
Processes
Casting (centrifugal, lost-wax, vacuum) Enameling Engraving Filigree Metal clay Plating Polishing Repouss and chasing Soldering Stonesetting Wire wrapping
Tools
Draw plate File Hammer Mandrel Pliers
Materials
Precious metals
Gold Palladium Platinum Rhodium Silver
Precious metal alloys
Britannia silver Colored gold Crown gold Electrum Platinum sterling Shakudo Shibuichi Sterling silver Tumbaga
Base metals/alloys
Brass Bronze Copper Kuromido Pewter Stainless steel Titanium
Mineral gemstones
Aventurine Agate Alexandrite Amethyst Aquamarine Carnelian Citrine Diamond Emerald Garnet Jade Jasper Malachite Lapis lazuli Moonstone Obsidian Onyx Opal Peridot Quartz Ruby Sapphire Sodalite Sunstone Tanzanite Tiger’s Eye Topaz Tourmaline
Organic gemstones
Amber Copal Coral Jet Pearl Abalone
Terms
Carat (unit) Carat (purity) Finding Millesimal fineness
Related topics: Body piercing Fashion Gemology Metalworking Wearable art
Categories: Jewellery | Silversmithing | Silver | Jewellery making | Alloys | Precious metal alloysHidden categories: Articles lacking in-text citations from June 2009 | All articles lacking in-text citations
About the Author
I am an expert from China Crafts Suppliers, usually analyzes all kind of industries situation, such as reflective rain suit , plastic rain poncho.
what is value of my very old Hans Kortner Solingen formal sterling silver 12 settings?
This silverware service includes serving spoons, forks, large soup ladle and more. It belonged to my grandmother from at least the 1920′s and is in beautiful condition in in the original box (which is kind of reaching its life span.
I can not tell you the answer to your question, though there is 1 place that can. ebay. You can put a check on the type of product you want to sell and see how much people are bidding for it.
Hope this helps…
Antique Silver Ladles
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120 Antique Silver Plt Revolver Gun 3D Bead Charms 2cm £3.89 |
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50 Antique Silver Plt 3D Crown Bead Charms 1.3cm £2.49 |
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160 Antique Silver Plt Lucky Charm Ball Spacers 6mm £2.79 |
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MUSEUM QUALITY ANTIQUE PERSIAN SOLID SILVER CUP HOLDER £259.08 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Made With Love Heart Charms £18.00 |
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SUPERB SILVER ANTIQUE DRESSING SET BRUSH MIRROR CASED £59.99 |
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200 Antique Silver Plt Floral Key Bead Charms 2.2cm £3.49 |
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Antique Russian Solid Silver Kiddush Wine Cup circ 1890 £48.99 |
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120 Antique Silver Plt Princess Bead Charms 1.7cm £3.09 |
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120 Antique Silver Plt Belly Dotted Bead Spacers 7mm £2.89 |
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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN SILVER SPOON £13.00 |
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ANTIQUE SILVER/SILVERPLATE WINE TASTER £0.99 |
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300 Antique Silver Plt Fancy Flower Bead Spacers 6mm £2.99 |
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Antique Mechanical Silver Pocket Watch Chain Mens WP021 £0.99 |
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Antique Style Silver Tone DAD Case Hunter Pocket Watch £0.99 |
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FINE ANTIQUE GEORGE II SOLID SILVER TABLE SPOON 1741 £47.50 |
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24 Antique Silver Plt Big Eagle Wing Bead Charm ON SALE £3.69 |
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ANTIQUE HORN CHRISTNING SPOON’S WITH SILVER WITH SHIELD £30.00 |
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ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER GILT ENAMEL MASONIC JEWEL C1935 £9.02 |
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Antique White Dial Pocket Watch Chain Silver UK e WP004 £0.01 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Spider Charms ~ FREE POST £14.12 |
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100 Antique Silver Plt Filigreed Leaf Bead Charms 1.9cm £1.89 |
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120 Antique Silver Plt 3D Dove Bead Animal Charms 1.2cm £2.19 |
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100 Antique Silver Plt Lantern Charm Bead Spacers 8mm £2.99 |
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Antique Russian USSR Silver Earrings Niello 30 by 22 mm £19.90 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Shell Charms ~ FREE POST £13.87 |
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SILVER PLATED ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN DECORATIVE PURSE BAG £29.99 |
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ANTIQUE 19thC WEDGWOOD JASPER WARE TANKARD SILVER RIM £40.00 |
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Antique Mechanical Silver Pocket Watch Chain Mens WP021 £0.01 |
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ANTIQUE CHINESE SILVER PLATED BRONZE INCENSE BURNER £127.00 |
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A Pair Antique Silver on Copper Lion Foot Salt Cellar £4.99 |
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10 Antique effect SILVER PLATED BUTTERFLY CHARMS NEW £1.50 |
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ANTIQUE SCOTTISH SILVER AGATE BROOCH £79.89 |
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SILVER ANTIQUE DRESSING TABLE HAIR COMB £19.99 |
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SILVER PLATED ANTIQUE PORT DECANTER LABEL £9.99 |
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50 New Antique Alloy Silver Tone Charms Pendants 140097 £1.52 |
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ANTIQUE SILVER ALBERT POCKET WATCH CHAIN AND FOB MEDAL £27.00 |
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KITSCH ANTIQUE SILVER PLATED CAMERA NECKLACE retro gift £1.41 |
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STUNNING WIDE ANTIQUE SILVER/RED BANGLES/BRACELET NEW £4.99 |
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ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER SUGAR TONGS NIPS EXETER 1836 £12.51 |
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ANTIQUE SILVER CYLINDER ENGRAVED PERFUME BOTTLE £40.00 |
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6 Antique Silver Plt Sun Bookmarks 12.2cm £2.69 |
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Antique Hexagonal Propelling Small Silver Pencil £12.50 |
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Antique heart dragon shape silver plated stud earrings £0.99 |
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ANTIQUE HM STERLING SILVER NAPKIN RING 1854 NETTIE £34.00 |
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Antique Silver Tone Heart Faux Pearl CLIP ON Earrings £1.84 |
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ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SILVER 55 CARAT ROCK CRYSTAL BROOCH £41.01 |
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antique silver skull mechanical chain pocket watch hot! £0.01 |
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ANTIQUE GEORGE V SOLID SILVER PAIR PEPPERETTE’S 1912 £12.00 |
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SILVER ANTIQUE EMBOSSED CIGARETTE CASE BIRMINGHAM 1923 £29.99 |
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Antique unusual silver / white metal purse Romanesque £9.99 |
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100 Antique Silver Col’d Siamese Cat Charms *FREEPOST* £14.92 |
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420 Antique Silver Plt Fancy Cube Bead Spacers 4mm £3.19 |
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Antique Silver/Rose Gold Marcasite Look Watch Face £3.95 |
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FINE ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER WHISKEY BRANDY HIP FLASK 1914 £89.00 |
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30 Antique Silver Plt Charm Bookmarks 8.4cm £3.79 |
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Antique Victorian? EPNS silver rattle – teething ring £13.45 |
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ANTIQUE CHINESE SILVER BUTTER KNIFE – mark WH Wang Hing £35.00 |
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170 Antique Silver Plt Hand Made Bead Charms Pendants £2.79 |
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LOVELY VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER THIMBLE, £5.70 |
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7 – ANTIQUE SILVER PLATED SUN CARVED FACE CHARMS £0.99 |
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100 Antique Silver Plt Drop Fit Pandora Bails 0.7cm £2.99 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Fish Charms **FREEPOST***** £12.37 |
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50 Antique Silver Plt Heart Twist Connector Joiners 3cm £3.09 |
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100 Antique Silver Plt Grap Bead Bails Joiners 1.2cm £2.99 |
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115 Antique Silver Plt Charm Bead Bails Findings 0.5cm £3.19 |
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Antique Victorian/Edwardian silver EPNS coin purse £12.00 |
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20x Antique Alloy Silver Tone Charms Pendants 140093 £1.71 |
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400 Antique Silver Plt 3D Heart 2 Loop Connectors 9mm £3.39 |
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140 Antique Silver Plt Hammered Square Bead Joiner 2cm £2.99 |
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40 Antique Silver Plt Flower Bead Connectors 2.6cm £3.69 |
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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN NIELLO SILVER LOCKET 1890′S £43.55 |
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2 Antique Art Deco Silver Plated Pierced Serving Plates £4.99 |
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Antique Japanese Bronze & Silver Metal Vase late 19th C £49.99 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Fairy Charms FREEPOST £14.25 |
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Antique, Pocket Watch, Watch, Silver, Old £90.00 |
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Antique White Dial Pocket Watch Chain Silver UK e WP004 £0.01 |
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ANTIQUE PERSIAN QAJAR SOLID SILVER SNUFF BOX C1880 £39.00 |
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Antique Mechanical Silver Pocket Watch Chain Mens WP021 £0.01 |
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ANTIQUE WALKING CANE SILVER TIPPED HANDLE 1897 £56.00 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Horse Shoe Charms FREEPOST £15.75 |
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Antique Mechanical Silver Pocket Watch Chain Mens WP021 £0.01 |
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5 Rare Silver 0.800 Keys Incl. An “Antique Coin” NR £18.78 |
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ART DECO WHITE MARBLE & SILVER ANTIQUE NAKED LADY LAMP £58.90 |
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Lovely Pair Small Sterling Silver Antique Hand Mirrors £5.50 |
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100 Antique Silver Coloured Key Charms ~ FREE POST £13.87 |
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Antique Silver Plated 4 Pce Tea Set & Coffee Pot £60.00 |
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Ladies Antique Style Silver Tone Marcasite Pendant New £9.99 |
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GOOD HEAVY ATTRACTIVE ANTIQUE SILVER NAPKIN RING £25.00 |
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Antique White Dial Pocket Watch Chain Silver UK e WP004 £0.01 |
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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN NIELLO SILVER BRACELET 1890′S £16.15 |
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Ladies Antique Style Silver Tone Marcasite Pendant New £9.99 |
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Antique Mechanical Silver Pocket Watch Chain Mens WP021 £0.99 |
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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN NIELLO SILVER CHAIN 1890′S AW £18.77 |
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Antique Tone Silver Pocket WatCH Chain Mechanical WP009 £0.99 |
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Antique Victorian Silver James Dixon & Sons Tea Pot £75.00 |
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Antique Victorian London Silver George Adams Tea Spoons £130.00 |
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Antique Edwardian S&L EPNS Silver Plate Wine Holder £40.00 |