Antique Silver Gilt Chalice Cup by Paul de Lamerie, 1745, 18th Century

This is a fabulous antique Neo-classical George III Old Sheffield plate silver on copper bread basket / fruit dish, circa 1780 in date. ...

This is a superb quality antique Italian Pietra Dura mounted, gilt brass and alabaster table-centre comport dish, dating from the late 19th century. With striking pierced Neo-Gothic chased brass mounts this splendid alabaster dish is set with six highly decorative pietra dura roundels depicting various floral decoration. It is raised on a sturdy circular brass base. It is a sumptuous piece which will make a great statement in any special room. Condition: In really excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 8 x width 29 x depth 29 Dimensions in inches: Height 3.1 x width 11.4 x depth 11.4 Pietra Dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art. Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade. The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian. But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)" The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying colored marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...." Giovanni Montelatici...

This is a wonderful English antique George III sterling silver 10 inch salver, by the world famous silversmith Paul Storr. It has clear hallmarks for London 1811 and the makers mark of Paul Storr. It is typical of his work with the raised gadrooned rim with anthemion at intervals, on four fabulous foliate bracket feet. The salver is engraved with a crest and motto and the underside is later engraved Charlotte J. Parke from C. J. Parke, March 1893' The centre is engraved with a crest above a motto 'True and Fast' and I have researched this crest: The Crest of Parke The crest as engraved upon this George III English Sterling Silver Footed Salver by Paul Storr hallmarked London 1811 is that of the family of Parke. It may be blazoned as follows: Crest: A stag’s head couped sable holding in the mouth a key or Motto: True and fast The family of Parke originally hailed from the County of Cumberland in the northeast of England1 later settling in the County of Dorset at Henbury House, Sturminster Marshal, near Wimborne. Given the evidence of the inscription found on the underside of the salver ‘Charlotte J. Parke from C. J. Parke, March 1893’ it was undoubtedly at one time in the possession of Charles Joseph Parke (died 9th March 1893) of Henbury House aforesaid and gifted to Charlotte Josephine Parke (baptised 4th January 1857 died 2nd January 1941) his third daughter by his wife, Ellen Mary Ethelston. I would venture the following hypothesis that the salver was bequeathed to Charlotte in her father’s will that was granted probate at London on the 20th May 1893. The ‘March 1893’ of the inscription acts as a remembrance of the month of the death of her father. It was noted that Charlotte’s father left an estate worth some £66,892, 19 shillings and one pence, a very considerable sum in the last decade of the 19th Century and even thereafter. Charlotte never married and was living at the time of her death at The Coppice, Sixpenny Handley in the County of Dorset. Her will was proved for probate at Llandudno on the 25th March 1941. She left an estate worth £18,866, 10 shillings and 4 pence. Again, a comfortable sum in 1941. See the photo of Henbury House, Sturminster Marshal, near Wimborne, Co. Dorset. The former seat of the Parke family. The house was destroyed by fire, the remains of which were demolished in the 1990's. There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector. Condition: In excellent condition with clear hallmarks and no dings, dents or signs of repair. Please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 2 x Width 26.5 x Depth 26.5 Weight 0.69 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 1 inch x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches Weight 1.5 lbs Paul Storr born in London England in 1771, was to become one of the most talented silversmiths of the nineteenth century. Today his legacy of exceptionally well crafted silver, found worldwide in museums and private collections, leaves one in awe when compared to that of his contemporaries.After having served a seven year apprenticeship from the age of 14, he began his career in 1792 when he went into a brief partnership with William Frisbee. This did not last and in 1793 a new mark, (his initials ‘P S’) was entered. By the beginning of the nineteenth century he had established himself as one of London’s top silversmiths producing, amongst others, commissions for Royalty. In 1801 he married Elizabeth Susanna Beyer with whom he was to have ten children. In 1807 Paul Storr entered into a working relationship with Philip Rundell and by 1811 was a partner, and managing the workshops for Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. During this period he kept his own marks and separate workshop. However it was through Rundell, Bridge & Rundell who were appointed Goldsmith in Ordinary to George III in 1804 that his reputation as a master silversmith grew. His talents lay in being able to transform ideas and designs from Rundell, Bridge & Rundell’s designers, William Theed...

This is an exceptional and very rare antique English George III sterling silver teapot by the world famous silversmith, Paul Storr, 1810 in date. This splendid teapot is of a deligh...

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English Britannia silver salvers made by Paul de Lamerie; an addition to our tray and salver collection. These excepti...

German Classical silver beaker cup, 18th century. At top leafing scrollwork and scallop shells; at bottom twisted leaf-and dart border. Ornament chased and heightened with engraving....

Without hallmarks. Container known as catavinos (wine tasting cup) or tembladera with two flat handles in the form of closed "S" (with simplified vegetable decoration) and a line "d...

Without hallmarks. Silver drinking cup with smooth edges, handles in the shape of a crowned animal (rampant lions with curved tail towards the back) and a decoration at the bottom o...