Set of six silver and floral enamel demitasse spoons, boxed, Walker & Hall, Birmingham, marked, 1932
Auction Ending : 16/11/26 22:00:00 GMT
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Set of six silver and floral enamel demitasse spoons, boxed, Walker & Hall, Birmingham, marked, 1932
A set of six small or demitasse silver spoons the ovoid bowls with enamel decorated handles terminating in an enamel flower head, the reverses plain and the underneath of all the bowls with hallmarks (i) ‘W&H’ : the maker’s mark for Walker and Hill (ii) An anchor for Birmingham (iii) The lion passant, or walking lion, guaranteeing British sterling silver at .925 purity (iv) ‘H’ in a plain square shield : the Birmingham date mark for 1932.Walker and Hill were prominent silversmiths and goldsmiths based in Sheffield and established in 1845 by George Walker, remaining in business until 1963 when they merged with British Silverware Ltd with production finally ceasing in 1971. While these spoons carry their mark, the design is more commonly associated with other manufacturers such as Mappin & Webb, Turner & Simpson, or William Hutton & Sons who made identical or near identical pieces. The design was clearly and understandably popular (by repute George VI was given a set by his wife, the Queen) and bridges the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles with its delicate floral enamel decoration. Although based in Sheffield, many of Walker and Hill’s pieces were hallmarked in Birmingham which is the case here and allows a precise dating to 1932. This form of enamel decoration was inevitably fragile and subject to losses, but this set has survived in excellent condition with just one very small area of enamel missing on the handle of one spoon and comes with a matching box which is most likely original.
| Size: | Spoon length 9cm, bowl 3cm x 2cm (max), Handle length 6cm, width (max) 1.2cm Box 17.7cm x 11.8cm x 2cm |
| Weight: | Spoons (6) 50gm Box and Spoons 160gm |
| Date: | 1932 |
| Condition: | Excellent condition generally, one spoon with a very small area of enamel loss |
| Estimate: | £180 – 220 |
