Review - Lyon & Turnbull Silver Sale
10th December 2003, Edinburgh.

Report by Mr M.

In this sale there were 82 lots of flatware of which 45 lots were catalogued as Scottish provincial. Amongst these lots were some rare items that sold well above estimate, as well as some that were over estimated and subsequently did not sell.

There was one lot, (lot 312), that sold well considering that the set of seven teaspoons demonstrated how silver spoons should not be 'stored'. Although in good basic condition and with fair marks, they were heavily tarnished and had the remnants of a rubber band stuck hard to the stems. It's amazing how often one comes across spoons that have been stored in this manner. Even after careful removal of the bands and cleaning, which can take some effort, one often is left with a shadow mark where the rubber band held the spoons together. Without vigorous cleaning and possible buffing it may be impossible to remove such marks. In doing so one has to be careful that the patina on the spoon, which has been built up over many years, is not removed. I trust no member of the club would ever consider storing their spoons in this manner.

Lots 262 & 263 (centre)Lot 274

Please note that the achieved price does not include the 17.625% buyers premium.
LotAchieved£
262.A good pair of James II gilt trefid spoons, with marks for London 1685, maker's mark S over W, long shaped rattail to rear of bowl, engraved initials to the rear of the handle 19cm long. See Jackson's 2nd edition, p.146, 7th from top. £800-1,000.N/S
263.A Charles II table trefid spoon, with marks for London 1680, maker's mark Robert King [see Jackson's p139, 2nd edition), the rear of the bowl and handle terminal decorated C-scrolls, plain bowl, owners initials S over I & M, crudely engraved to rear of handle 18.9cm long. £500-700.N/S
265.A Victorian serving spoon, with marks for Glasgow 1845, Queen's pattern. £100-200.70
266.A basting spoon, with marks for Edinburgh 1838, of fiddle and shell pattern. £100-120.N/S
267.A matched set of six George IV table spoons, with marks for Edinburgh 1829 (4), Exeter (2), fiddle pattern, engraved initials 14oz. £100-120.N/S
268.A George III meat skewer, with marks for Edinburgh 1812 and another with marks for London 1796, both of plain form and two plain EP servers. 22.5cm and 24.5cm. £150-180.150
271.A George III fish slice, with marks for Edinburgh 1811, of fiddle pattern, engraved crest and bright cut pierced flat. £100-150.80
272.A good George III soup divider, with marks for Edinburgh 1785 (incuse duty mark), R.Green or Grierson, plain engraved initial and number '8', triple drop heel, 38cm. £180-£250.260
274.Aberdeen - An original cased set of six Scottish provincial teaspoons and masking spoon, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1790, Nathaniel Gillet, plain, engraved interlinked initials JMD contained in a late 18th century laburnum case of pinched oval form with initials JMD to the lid, case. 17.5cm long. £300-400. ~ "These spoons were in fair condition. The rarity of this set of six teaspoons and a matching masking spoon was that they were contained in what was possibly their original box which had corresponding initials, to the spoons, engraved on it's lid".360
274AAberdeen - A group of three various Scottish provincial spoons, a dessert spoon with marks for Aberdeen, William Jamieson; fiddle pattern, a dessert spoon with marks for Aberdeen, John Leslie, engraved initials; a tea spoon with marks for Aberdeen, Alex. Mollinson or Morrison. £100-150.110
276.Aberdeen - Two sets of six Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for George Sangster, Aberdeen and Edinburgh 1858, of fiddle pattern, engraved monogram, the other set George Sangster Aberdeen and Edinburgh 1848 and 1852. £120-180.160

Lot 277 Lot 278 Lot 279

Lot 282 Lot 283 Lot 284

Lot 285 Lot 286 Lot 287

277.Aberdeen - A Scottish provincial marrow scoop, with marks for James Erskine circa 1790 of plain form. 22cm. £250-350. ~ "Provincial marrow scoops are rare. This one was in fair condition with what I noted as having general ware".320
278.Aberdeen - A scarce Scottish provincial fish slice, with marks for Aberdeen, James Erskine circa 1800, plain filled handle, the shaped scimitar blade engraved and pierced with threaded beading, engraved crest of a ship 30cm The crest is for Milne of Blairtown and Aberdeen. £250-350. ~ "Only the blade on this Fish Slice was apparently marked. I would suggest that the handle may not be contemporary with the slice".240
279.Aberdeen - A set of six dessert spoons, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1800, James Erskine, plain engraved with a crest of a ship 16cm, together with a matching single spoon makers mark only J B possibly James Berry or Barron The Crest is for Milne of Blairtown and Aberdeen. £140-180.180
280.Aberdeen - A pair of Scottish provincial mustard spoons, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1830, William Jamieson, engraved double crest, together with two early 19th century 'spade' salt spoons. The Crests are of Bannerman and Milne. £120-180.140
281.Aberdeen - A Scottish provincial soup divider, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1796, James Erskine, plain, engraved crest of a ship 33.5cm. The Crest is of Milne of Blairtown and Aberdeen. £300-500.N/S
282.Aberdeen - A Scottish provincial sugar spoon, with marks for circa 1800 probably James Begg, of fiddle pattern, engraved crest of a ship, square bowl 16cm. The Crest is of Milne of Blair town and Aberdeen. £200-300.220
283.Aberdeen - A set of three Scottish provincial table spoons, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1750 Coline Allan, engraved double crest. The Crests of Bannerman and Milne. £150-250. ~ "These Hanoverian pattern tablespoons were in reasonable condition with slight ware to the bowls. Their rarity pushed the hammer price to twice the top estimate".500
284.Aberdeen - A pair of table forks, with marks for Aberdeen, James Erskine circa1800, engraved crest. £100-200.140
285.Aberdeen - A set of six dessert spoons, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1790, James Smith, plain engraved crest. £200-250.170
286.Aberdeen - A pair of Scottish provincial fiddle pattern sugar tongs, Pettie and Sons 1848, an Old English dessert spoon, three sets of initials by William Jamieson, a pair of Old English teaspoons, initialled by J. Ewen, a fiddle pattern teaspoon, initialled 'C' by George Sangster 1866. £180-220.N/S
287.Aberdeen - A Scottish provincial marrow scoop, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1770 James Law, plain form, engraved 'M' to rear 21.9cm. £200-300. ~ "This second marrow scoop in the sale was in good overall condition. The maker's mark looked as if it was triple struck or possibly over struck. The script ABDn mark was one of the best examples of this town mark that I can recall having seen".240
287AAberdeen - A Scottish provincial silver mounted cowrie shell snuff box, with marks for Aberdeen, Peter Ross, maker, circa 1830. £400-600.420
288.Aberdeen - A set of three Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Aberdeen circa 1748, Coline Allan, engraved double crest. The Crests of Bannerman and Milne. £90-120. ~ "This lot was incorrectly catalogued as three teaspoons. It was two Hanoverian pattern tablespoons. They had some ware to the bowls and the ABD mark was worn".150

Lot 295 Lot 296 Lot 301

Lot 304 Lot 305 Lot 309

289.Aberdeen - A set of four Scottish provincial dessert spoons, with marks for James Erskine circa 1800, engraved crest and motto, together with two matching dessert spoons, with marks for Aberdeen, William Jamieson, circa 1820.200
290.Aberdeen, a Scottish provincial soup divider, with marks for Aberdeen and also London 1887, maker WGJ, Old English pattern, engraved initials. £200-300.160
291.A set of six Victorian Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Aberdeen and Edinburgh 1871, maker GS, plain engraved initial. £80-120.80
292.Aberdeen, a Scottish provincial sauce ladle, with marks for Aberdeen, Alexander Grant, fiddle pattern, engraved initials. £100-150.130
293.Aberdeen, a set of four Scottish provincial toddy ladles, with marks for Aberdeen, William Jamieson, circa 1830, fiddle pattern. £100-150. ~ "Being in reasonable condition it was not surprising that these toddy ladles of short fiddle pattern rose to above estimate".400
294.Arbroath and Dumfries - A Scottish provincial Hanoverian pattern dinner fork, by Andrew Davidson, 3 Queen's pattern single struck teaspoons by George Ritchie, a fiddle pattern tablespoon by Joseph Walker Hinchcliffe and a fiddle pattern tablespoon by Joseph Pearson. £150-180.140
295.Banff, a Scottish provincial tablespoon with marks for Banff, William Simpson I, circa 1830, fiddle pattern, engraved initial. £150-200. ~ "A fair price for a rare tablespoon with a very good set of marks".260
296.Cupar (possibly), a Scottish provincial toddy ladle, with marks for, Cupar R Robertson. ~ "Catalogued as 'possibly' Cupar I would suggest this ladle could have been catalogued as 'probably' Cupar. The price attained would suggest that it probably is Cupar!"380
297.Dundee - A fiddle pattern toddy ladle, by Alexander Cameron and a fiddle pattern sauce ladle by Alexander Cameron. £200-250.200
298.Dundee - A set of six Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Dundee circa 1818, Alexander Cameron, together with a silver teaspoon, Dundee, David Manson circa 1810. £100-200.130
299.Dundee - a set of six Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Dundee, circa 1840, David Manson, plain engraved initials. £100-150.130
300.Dundee, a Scottish provincial sauce ladle, with marks for Dundee, circa 1820, Alexander Cameron, fiddle pattern, later engraved initial. £80-120.120
301.Dumfries, two Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Dumfries, David Gray, fiddle pattern, engraved initials. £50-80.60
302.Greenock, a set of four Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Greenock, possibly Alex Campbell, plain engraved crest, pointed terminals. £80-120.100
304.Inverness - A set of six Scottish provincial dessert forks, with marks for Inverness circa 1815, Robert Naughton, of fiddle pattern, engraved, owl crest. £150-200. ~ "A rare set of provincial dessert forks. The slight ware to the tines did not deter two bidders raising the hammer price to over four times top estimate."1,050
305.Inverness, a set of six Scottish provincial dessert spoons, with marks for Inverness, Charles Jamieson, plain engraved initials. £200-300.320
306.Inverness, a set of six Scottish provincial toddy ladles, with marks for Inverness, Charles Jamieson, plain. £300-500. ~ "Another rare set of six from Inverness, this time being toddy ladles. In good overall condition and with only slight ware to the marks it did not surprise that they nearly doubled the top estimate".950
307. Leith - A Scottish George IV snuff box, with marks for Edinburgh 1823, maker R.H., also with two marks 'Hay' and 'Leith' for retailer Robert Hay of Leith, of rectangular form, cast border and thumb piece, plain top, bottom and sides, gilt interior, later engraved to the interior. £300-400. ~ "Although not flatware, I'm sure members will be interested to note that this snuff box nearly trebled the top estimate. It was in good overall condition".1,550
308.Montrose - A Scottish provincial ladle, with marks for Montrose, William Mill circa 1811,of plain pattern, engraved initials, 17cm. £100-150. ~ "A toddy ladle in good overall condition, which sold very well".320


Lot 309

309.Montrose, a Scottish provincial soup divider, with marks for Montrose circa 1800, Benjamin Lumsden, of oar pattern, unusually long 'oar' section to the handle, broad elliptical bowl. £700-1,000. ~ "This Peter Lambert (not Benjamin Lumsden) soup ladle was of long fiddle pattern, not oar pattern. I felt that it was over estimated because it had an inscription removed and was over polished. It was bought in at £650".N/S
310.Paisley, a set of six Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Paisley, William Hannay, plain, initials. £150-250. ~ "A nice set of Old English pattern teaspoons from Paisley that sold well".320
311.Perth - A Scottish provincial fiddle pattern tablespoon, single drop, initialled 'M' by William Ritchie, a pair of Old English pattern teaspoons by James Wright and three teaspoons by R. Greig. £160-180.N/S
312.Perth - A set of seven Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Perth circa 1790, Robert Keay, of oar pattern, engraved initial together with two other similar spoons, William Ritchie. £100-120. ~ "Comments about this lot were made at the introduction to this report. The seven Robert Keay teaspoons were of long oar pattern".160
313.Perth - A set of six Scottish provincial teaspoons, maker's mark only James Cornfute, of Old English pattern, engraved initials and eleven other mixed spoons. £100-200.190
314.Perth - A pair of Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Perth circa 1800, David Greig, fiddle pattern, engraved initials. £50-80.50
315.Perth, a Scottish provincial teaspoon, with marks for Perth, Charles Murray, circa 1815, fiddle pattern, plain, a condiment spoon with marks for Perth, David Greig, circa 1815, plain fiddle pattern, together with another spoon, Scottish circa 1800 and a French dessert spoon. £80-120.80
316.Unattributed - A pair of Scottish provincial teaspoons, with marks for Peterhead circa 1800, Sloe, Maker, fiddle pattern plain. £100-150. ~ "These 'unattributted' teaspoons I would suggest did not originate in Peterhead. So where do they come from? Do any members have thoughts as to where they were made? To start the ball rolling I would suggest that they are North American or Colonial. At £170 & £100 respectfully for the two lots I would suggest the purchaser has an idea".170
317.Unattributed - A single spoon, matching the previous lot. £70-100.


Lot 316-317
Conclusion
Another good sale with some rarities that sold very well. Let us hope that 2004 will offer more new to the market, provincial flatware of the quality are rarity that we have seen in 2003.

Two dates are already noted for sales in 2004
Thomson Roddick & Medcalf are holding their spring sale of Scottish Provincial Silver on Monday 29th March at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

Lyon and Turnbull have a Fine silver sale scheduled for the 27th May.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

.28. / .29. / .30. / .31.
The Finial, March/April 2004


This site and images copyright © 1997-2005, by Daniel Bexfield Antiques