Collector’s Corner

With Daryl Kriel, from Kensington Bond

I have a pair of silver jugs. I’d like to know if they are solid silver, and if so, what are they worth? How old are they, and how can you tell their age? - Margaret

Your two ‘jugs’ are a pair of sauce boats made by Peter Taylor of London during the reign of King George II (1727 – 1760) and are worth between R8 000 and R10 000.

Hallmarking of silver started in England as far back as 1238, when Henry III made the earliest attempt to regulate the quality of silver and gold. The lion passant mark was used from 1544, additional marks being used to show the maker, area of assay and date. In the years of your sauce boats, King George II declared counterfeiting hallmarks a felony, punishable by death. These hallmarks allow us to identify silver work from the UK with relative ease. Other countries also have hallmarks, but are not nearly as easy to follow as the English hallmarks. The regulation of the quality of silver and gold was very important to the English, due to the fact that it was used as their primary currency. The regulations have changed over the years, the latest being in 1975 to include platinum.

In the years of your sauce boats, King George II declared counterfeiting hallmarks a felony, punishable by death.

Silver Items are always in demand, if not for their intrinsic value, then for the value of the silversmiths and the works of art they so often are.

If you would like to date, value or sell your silver, call Daryl at Kensington Bond on 082 297 1117.

PMB/Midlands