The King of Bling

Most of us, of a certain age, would recognise who that man behind the candelabra is; that would be Liberace, but where might that candelabra have come from?

Liberace perusing the goods of the Silver Vaults. Image courtesy of the LSV Facebook page

If you've ever been down to the London Silver Vaults and stopped to look at the photos in the foyer you might just have noticed a picture of a smiling Liberace with one of the shop owners, May Langford, back in 1956. Mrs. Langford's sons, our neighbours, continue to run the family business today.

Nutmeg Grater

Since being discovered on the Spice Islands in the 1500’s nutmeg has been part of our culinary repertoire and at one time the cost per gram made it even more valuable than gold.

Though nearly always relegated to the baking cupboard now, its popularity at one time was such that there were special portable boxes made so that people could transport their own nutmeg with them. It became such, that no fashionable gentleman’s well equipped pocket was complete without one.

Something New for Something Old

When people are browsing around in the shop I frequently hear words to the effect of “ oh we have one of those, I think it must be in a box somewhere”
Well, it’s time to think outside the box!



As the world moves towards upcycling and recycling just about anything, I thought this week I might consider other uses for items made in silver. As silver is so pleasing to the eye it makes sense to use some of the things you might have at home and, rather than consigning a beautiful item to the attic or the deep recesses in the back of the cupboard, why not give it a new life?

So, now is the time to have a good rummage around and resurrect some of those once loved and treasured items.

St George's Day

Do you know what today, 23 April, is?

If you're not sure, you are probably in good company. Apparently, only one in five of us will actually realise today is St. George’s Day.

Image via

To me that is quite a shocking statistic when you consider he is the Patron St. of England.

When prompted, we might be able to recall his feats against that mythical beast, the dragon, but for the most part we don’t really give him his due.

A touch of nature in your home...

Today I wanted to feature an unusual item which might just catch your eye should you get down to the vaults for a look around.

Nature in design. Image via.

Found in many shapes and styles, its use might not be immediately obvious. People often ponder what these curious, yet charming objects might be.
Click through to read on and find out what it is...

Stop the press! Enjoy the flavours...

One of the items we have down here that extracts (if you'll pardon the pun) some of the most quizzical looks, is the duck press.

Pressed duck being served at Paris’s La Tour D’Argent (Courtesy of La Tour D’Argent) Image via.

Invented in France in the 1800’s by a chef called Mechenet, it was a machine created to extract every bit of duckiness from your bird.

Easter Sweetness

Easter is looming and with most of us having a four day weekend it is a chance to spend time with family and friends. Of course, this is the most important time in the Christian calendar and our churches will see more visitors than at most other times of the year.

The Easter Bunny is a confusing and quaint character. Image via.

Once the religious observances are out of the way most of us will get down to the serious business of chocolate. Chocolate eggs, bunnies, ducks or just plain old chocolate.

Spring Forward

With the clocks going forward this weekend I look forward to the longer days we have ahead of us. There was a time in my life when I saw the clocks going forward as a negative; a stolen hour of my much valued sleep which I wouldn't get back until the winter was upon us again.

The banks of the Thames are a perfect place to enjoy London in the spring. Image via.

However, now the extra light at the end of the day is a joyous bonus to me and I don’t even notice the missing hour.

1759

1759: The year that the British Museum and Kew Gardens were established and Arthur Guinness began brewing his eponymous ale.

The Battle of Quiberon Bay, November 20 1759, depicted by Richard Patton. Image via.
I often find myself admiring this beautiful teapot when looking around here in the shop.

George III sterling silver teapot. Click here to view on our website.

There is just something so pleasing about its style and shape. This charming pot bears a 1759 Edinburgh hallmark and was made by Lothian & Robertson. With its chased rococo decoration and pineapple finial I am sure it must have been considered quite quirky for its time.

When I look at this pot and its dateline it makes me wonder about all the things that must have been discussed over those cups of tea throughout its 256 year existence.

Firstly, when you consider the size of this teapot, the reasons are obvious, historically.

The price of tea was incredibly expensive at that time and also heavily taxed. As a result teapots produced at that time tended to be smaller than today. This was not a drink for the poor among us. The result of this high cost would be smuggling, which only dropped the price a little. Did any of those illicit leaves ever find the bottom of this pot?

Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle and former Prime Minister. Image via.

In 1759 it was the Whigs in power and the Prime Minister was Thomas Pelham-Holles. Another event politically which occurred in Kent that year was the birth of William Pitt the Younger who, just 24 years later, would become the youngest, and some consider one of the best leaders in British History. He would also prove to be a champion amongst tea drinkers.

This pot was ‘born’ in Scotland in 1759 and shares a birthdate with Scotlands most famous son, Robert Burns who was born on the 25th of January.

Whilst sipping tea and reading through the journals of the day one would have found the newspapers filled with stories of the Seven Years’ War.

In order to distract from the bloody battles which dominated the news, perhaps a cup of tea was imbibed in the parlour whilst playing what was to be the first British board game, ‘A Journey Through Europe’.

This little pot would have been serving up the tea when the news came through of the passing of King George II in 1760 and the succession to the throne by his grandson, King George III.

King George II, by Charles Jervas. Image via.

I’m sure this pot was likely used to offer up tea while discussing events in what would soon become the United States of America in 1776. It boggles the mind that a teapot is actually older than the U.S.A.

And I’m sure that a few years later the owner of this pot raised his cup in celebration at the news in 1784 that the then Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, slashed the tax on tea from an outrageous 119% to a more reasonable 12.5 percent. Cheers William.

This pot probably remained with its original purchaser through many births, deaths and marriages before likely being passed down to the next generation. Obviously this pot has continued to pour out the brew through the birth of many more nations, through wars and peace times will most likely continue to do so in the future. A long history past, and a future of stories yet untold.

I’ll drink to that.

Xin Nian Kuai Le - Happy New Year

Thursday the 19th of February sees the start of the Chinese New Year.

Participants in London's annual west end parade. Image via Time Out.

According to the Chinese zodiac there is a cycle of twelve years with each cycle represented by a different animal.

2015 finds us in the year of the horned animal, most commonly considered The Year of the Ram, the 8th sign in the twelve year cycle. Alternatively, it is also sometimes referred to as The Year of the Goat or Sheep. People born under the year of each animal are said to carry certain traits of that particular animal so one can only surmise that sheep, goats and rams must share similar traits.

Love is in the Air

Time to break out the chocolate and flowers, for Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us once again.

Saint Valentine baptizes St Lucilla, Jaco da Ponte. Image via 

We have come to believe that Valentine’s Day dates back to ancient Rome. It is alleged that during the reign of Claudius, he was against men marrying during wartime, believing that single men made better soldiers.
Then along comes Bishop Valentine, obviously an old romantic, and performs wedding ceremonies in secret...

Paul Storr

Following my post last week I thought I might take this opportunity to give you a little look at the man considered to be one of the finest silversmiths in history.

Born in London in 1771, Paul Storr was the son of Thomas Storr, who was a silver chaser himself.
His father was a skilled craftsman and that must have inspired young Paul to follow him into the trade.

Storr's famous 'PS' hallmark, along with the other identifying marks of an 1808 silver salver, made in London.

In 1785, aged just 14, he became an apprentice silversmith, working under the well known Swedish silversmith, Andrew Fogelberg.
Following a seven year apprenticeship under the guidance of Fogelberg, he became an accomplished silversmith himself.

A Mighty Crest

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might"
Ecclesiastes 9:10

Among many items I come across here in the shop, occasionally a crest or inscription will pique my curiosity.
One such item did just that very recently.

It is a family coat of arms engraved on to a Sterling Silver Georgian meat dish cover.
It is emblazoned with the phrase “Do It With Thy Might”.

My research reveals this to be the Buxton Family motto which had been engraved onto this particular piece of silver.

Burns Night

Lang May Yer Lum Reek.

This Sunday, 25th January, sees Scotland celebrating the birth of their nation’s favourite son.
This was the day in 1759 when Robbie Burns was born in Dumfries, Scotland.

Will you see out Burns night with a wild Ceilidh dance? Image via.

Best known as a poet, he wrote in the Scots language as well as standard English. Burns was regarded as one of the founders of the Romantic movement and as such became one of the great cultural icons of his nation.

The London Boat Show

If there were ever a trade show that will really show you how the other half lives then it must surely be the London Boat show. It is the world’s oldest boat show and is now in its 60th year.

A luxury yacht arrives for the 2013 Boat Show. Image via.

Sailing was once the preserve of the rich and famous but after the Second World War, small boats became available, making nautical pastimes possible for the middle classes as well.

How to Turn Wine into Silver

Another year has passed and so begins 2015.
It is at this time of year that we consider what we might be able to do to improve our minds, bodies and souls.
After the excesses of the holiday season, even those of us who don't make resolutions will probably err on the side of caution for the next few weeks.

Image via

The trend for Dry January seems to attract more participants every year. Though I don’t actively make it my resolution to give up the drink in January, I do find the desire to snuggle up in my pyjamas is greater than any trip to the pub might be.

Christmas Cracker

This time next week it will all be over. The presents unwrapped, the goose well and truly cooked and the best of the Cadburys Roses already missing. After two or three days of Christmas indulgence we will soon be considering our new years resolutions.

The humble Christmas cracker originated in Victorian times. Image via.

I hope all the shopping and socialising hasn’t taken its toll and that you will be ready for whatever the day brings.

A tradition that takes place in most households up and down the land is the Christmas cracker. Most of us will don the obligatory paper hat and get strangely excited about the small gift that awaits. Give me the mini screwdriver and I’m a happy girl.

The Centrepiece de Résistance

We are nearly there now. I hope everyone has had a stress free run up to Christmas and you are all now just drinking mulled wine or eggnog with your feet up. Yes, I know, chance would be a fine thing.

In my previous post we went through the many serving options available to impress your dinner guests but the razzle dazzle needn't stop there.

Today we look at a variety of centrepiece options for the Christmas Table. Image via.

The Christmas Table

Here it is - December already! I hope my last couple of posts might have given you the inspiration needed and now you are so organised you can just concentrate on the festive feast.
If there was ever a time of year when you want your table to look spectacular then surely Christmas is it.

Will yours be a truly magical Christmas worthy of the Weasleys? Image via.

Silver has been used for centuries to add glamour and opulence to the dining room. If you think of any film or period drama with a dinner party scene then chances are, the table is adorned with silver.
From the centrepieces and the candlesticks to the serving dishes and utensils right down to the cutlery we eat with; silver, silver, silver!

Christmas Gifts for him: the Discerning Gentleman

Last week I posted a few suggestions as to what kind of things the women in your life might wish to find under the tree.

So this week it is over to the men. The fellas in our lives sometimes get overlooked when it comes to gift giving. There are not many men around that don’t find at least one package under the tree with their name on it that when opened, reveals a novelty tie or set of 'days of the week' socks. Poor old dad/husband/boyfriend.

Harry Crane struggles to maintain his cool at the office Christmas party in Mad Men. Image via.

Well, it doesn't have to be that way.
There is a wealth of things out there that go beyond just keeping a gentleman's feet warm.