Whether for a gift, a collection, or just for fun, silver novelties and curios offer whimsy along with function, and are expertly crafted. Since the mid Victorian period, and with the increase of wealth in Britain, silversmiths have created these astounding items to both amaze and amuse, and they have been collected and admired ever since.
32 results
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1897 & 1899 by James Fenton, this handsome pair of Antique Sterling Silver Menu Holders, each features a cast model of the Scott Memorial to one side. Each menu holder measures 1.25"(3cm) tall, by 2.5"(6.5cm) wide, by 2"(5cm) deep, and the pair together weigh 0.8 troy ounces.
£265
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1899 by Deakin & Francis, this charming pair of Antique Sterling Silver Menu Holders, are elegantly designed, and have links to Oxford University, with one depicting Tom Tower at Christchurch, and the other depicting Radcliffe Camera. Each measures 1.75"(4.5cm) tall, by 3"(7.5cm) wide. by 1.75"(4.5cm) deep, and the pair together weigh 1.6 troy ounces.
£295
Hallmarked in London in 2000, this charming, Sterling Silver Pepper Pot, is fashioned as a dog wearing a hat and collar. The pepper pot measures 3.5"(9cm) tall, by 2"(5cm) wide, by 1"(2.5cm) deep, and weighs 4.8 troy ounces.
£495
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1903 by Grey & Co., this unusual, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Set of Six Clip-On Plates, take the form of leaves which can be attached to your saucer or dessert plate by a hinged wishbone shaped clip. Each plate measures 5"(12.5cm) long, by 3.25"(8.5cm) wide. The set together has a weight of 7.9 troy ounces. The clip-on plates carry a registered design number, the original design drawing can be seen in the last photograph.
£695
Made in London between 1909 and 1914 by C. E. Nixon, this novelty, George V, Antique Sterling Silver Set of Four Menu Holders, are designed to resemble the four different playing card suits, and each are hand made from one sheet of silver. Each menu holder measures 2.5"(6.5cm) tall, by 2.5"(6.5cm) wide and together the set weighs 2.4 troy ounces.
£725
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 2000 by Thistle & Bee, this charming, Novelty Sterling Silver Sugar & Cream Set, is modelled to resemble a large agricultural cream jug and sugar bag with a shovel shaped serving spoon. The cream jug measures 3.75"(9.5cm) tall, by 3.75"(9.5cm) from handle to spout, the sugar bowl measures 2.75"(7cm) tall, by 2.5"(6.5cm) wide, and the sugar spoon measures 3.5"(9cm) in length. The set together weighs 7.6 troy ounces.
£795
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 2001, this charming set of 8 Sterling Silver & Glass Novelty Shot Glasses, are modelled as shotgun cartridges, and are also numbered on the bottom from 1-8 so that they can be used as Butt Markers when shooting. (I. Franks does not suggest doing shots while shooting). Each shot glass measures 3"(7.5cm) tall, by 1"(2.5cm) in diameter.
£795
Hallmarked in London in 1907 by William Hutton & Sons, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Photograph Frame, is designed to look like a lucky horse shoe. The photograph frame measures 4.75"(12cm) tall, by 4"(10cm) wide. The maximum dimensions of aperture are 3.5"(9cm) tall, by 2.75" (7cm) wide.
£795
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1908, this novelty, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Whisky Decanter, is in the form of a bell with panelled glass engraved with the message "take a pull". The decanter measures 10"(25.5cm) tall, by 5"(12.5cm) in diameter.
£875
Hallmarked in London in 1906 by Joseph Braham, this novelty, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Pair of Pepper Pots, are modelled as hunting horns. Each pepper pot measures 5.5"(14cm) tall, by 1.5"(4cm) in diameter, and the pair together weigh 3.4 troy ounces.
£975
Made in 1882 by Elkington & Co., this charming, novelty, Victorian, Antique Silver Plate Spoon Warmer, is modelled as a picnic basket. The spoon warmer measures 5.5"(14cm) tall, by 5.25"(13.5cm) wide, by 3.75"(9.5cm) deep.
£1,075
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1908 by Crisford & Norris Ltd., this charming, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Pincushion, is a rare form modelled as a life-size gecko. The pincushion measures 0.5"(1.5cm) tall, by 4.75"(12cm) in length, by 2"(5cm) wide.
£1,245
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1893 by Saunders & Shepherd, this charming, Antique Glass & Sterling Silver Decanter, is modelled to resemble a duck, with the hand blown clear glass body and glass handles supporting a ducks head spout with glass eyes. The decanter measures 4.25"(11cm) tall, by 6"(15cm) wide, by 3"(7.5cm) deep.
£1,275
Hallmarked in London in 1977 by Richard Comyns, this handsome, Sterling Silver Cow Creamer, is a charming example. The cow creamer measures 4"(10cm) tall, by 6"(15cm) wide, by 2"(5cm) deep, and weighs 5.4 troy ounces.
£1,275
Hallmarked in London in 1888 by Jane Brownett, this fun, Novelty, Antique Sterling Silver Cigar Lighter, is modelled as a mushroom (probably a magic one), and is incredibly detailed. The cigar lighter measures 2.5"(6.5cm) tall, by 2.5"(6.5cm) in diameter, and weighs 2.8 troy ounces.
£1,295
Hallmarked in London in 1888 by Charles Boyton, this rare pair of Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Pepper Pots are modelled as pheasants, and presented in the original fitted box. Each pepper pot measures 2.5"(6cm) tall, by 3.5"(9cm) from beak to tail and the pair weigh 1.7 troy ounces.
£1,675
Carrying import marks for London in 1902 by John George Piddington, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver 'Toby Jug', is a faithful reproduction of the pottery examples first seen during the 1760's. The jug measures 6.5"(16.5cm) tall, by 4.75"(12cm) wide, by 2.75"(7cm) deep, and weighs 11.5 troy ounces.
£1,975
Hallmarked in London in 1994 by Asprey & Co. Ltd., this handsome, Sterling Silver Decanter, is designed to look like a champagne bottle, with a removable stopper modelled as the cork. The decanter measures 13"(33cm) tall, by 3.25"(8.5cm) in diameter and weighs 19.2 troy ounces.
£1,975
Carrying import marks for London in 1896 by Edwin Thompson Bryant, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Cow Creamer, is handsomely modelled. The cow creamer measures 4.75"(12cm) tall, by 7"(18cm) wide, by 1.75"(4.5cm) deep, and weighs 7.1 troy ounces.
£1,975
Hallmarked in London in 1901 by William Hornby, this novelty pair of Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Scent Bottles, are designed to look like birds. Each perfume bottle measures 4.5"(11.5cm) tall, by 3"(7.5cm) across the body.
£2,275
Hallmarked in London in 1881, this charming and very rare, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Pepper Pot, is modelled as a Monkey. The pepper pot measures 2.75"(7cm) tall, by 1.25"(3cm) wide, by 1.5"(4cm) deep, and weighs 2.5 troy ounces.
£2,275
Hallmarked in London in 1903 by Joseph Braham, this charming set of 4, Antique Sterling Silver Pepper Grinders, are modelled as weights with ring handles, and feature Peugeot mechanisms. Each pepper grinder measures 3.25"(8.5cm) tall, by 2"(5cm) in diameter.
£2,475
Carrying import marks for Chester in 1903 by Berthold Muller, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Model of a Pig, is wonderfully modelled, and features a removable head. The pig measures 3"(7.5cm) tall, by 5"(12.5cm) from nose to tail, by 1.5"(4cm) across the shoulders and weighs 5.85 troy ounces.
£2,675
Hallmarked in London in 1996 by Meiling & Gartrell, this wonderful, and very charming, Sterling Silver Condiment Set, is modelled to resemble Emperor Penguins. The taller penguin (the salt) measures 3.75"(9.5cm) tall, the pepper measures 3.25"(8.5cm) tall, and the mustard measures 3.75"(9.5cm) from beak to tail. The set together weighs 18.1 troy ounces.
£2,975
Hallmarked in London in 1995 by Philip John Cassidy, this charming Sterling Silver Claret Jug, is modelled to look like a walrus. The claret jug measures 6.5"(16.5cm) tall, by 12.25"(31cm) from nose to back flippers, by 3.75"(9.5cm) deep.
£2,975
Hallmarked in London in 1878 by George Fox, this charming pair of Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Pepper Pots, are modelled as Owls with glass eyes. Each pepper pot measures 3.25"(8.5cm) tall, by 1.5"(4cm) wide, by 1.5"(4cm) deep. Together they weigh 3.6 troy ounces.
£2,975
Hallmarked in London in 1882 by Thomas Johnson II, this very rare set of 6 Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Pepper Pots, are modelled to look like birds, with removable pierced heads. Each pepper pot measures 1.5"(4cm) tall, by 2.5"(6.5cm) wide, by 1.5" (3.5cm) deep and the whole set together weighs 6 troy ounces.
£3,675
Hallmarked in London in 1885 by Joseph Braham, this delightful, novelty, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Match Strike, is modelled as a pig standing by his trough, mounted on a wooden base with the match strike to the front, and the pigs tail removable to use as the cigar lighter. The match strike model measures 2.75"(7cm) tall, by 7.5"(19cm) wide, by 4.75"(12cm) deep.
£3,775
Hallmarked in London in 1880 by Jane Brownett, this very rare, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Cat Pepper Pot, is elegantly modelled, and realistically finished. The cat pepper pot measures 2.25"(5.5cm) tall, by 3.25"(8.5cm) from nose to tail, and weighs 6 troy ounces.
£3,975
Hallmarked in London in 1904 by William Hurcomb, this wonderfully charming pair of Antique, Sterling Silver Dog Pepper Pots, are handsomely modelled and very rare to find. Each of the dogs measure roughly 2.5"(6.5cm) tall, by 3.25"(8cm) nose to tail, by 1"(2.5cm) deep, and together they weigh 6.3 troy ounces.
£3,975
Hallmarked in London in 1899 by Stuart Clifford, this very rare pair of Antique, Sterling Silver Pepper Pots, are modelled as a seated Cat & Dog. Each measures roughly 2.25"(6cm) tall, by 2.25"(6cm) wide, and the pair together weigh 5.8 troy ounces.
£4,775
Hallmarked in London in 1904 by William Hornby, this wonderful and very rare, Antique Sterling Silver Bell, is modelled as a quite charming pig. The bell is operated by winding the key underneath and then pressing either the nose or the tail. The bell measures 3.25"(8cm) tall, by 6.25"(16cm) from snout to tail, by 2.5"(6.5cm) deep, and weighs 19.2 troy ounces in total.
£12,775