A clip that was made in the 1920s in France and carved out of horn in a leaf design. Clips such as this one were very popular in the 1920s and can be worn as an accessory today equally well.}

Sampson Mordan who was born in 1790 and died in 1843, was a silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. During his youth, he was an apprentice of the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah, who patented the first elastic ink reservoir for a fountain pen. In 1822, Mordan and his co-inventor John Isaac Hawkins filed the first patent in Great Britain for a metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite "lead" shaft forward during use, as an improvement on the less complex lead holders that merely clutched the pencil lead to hold it into a single position. These pencils are now highly collectible Mordan bought out Hawkins and entered into a business partnership with Gabriel Riddle, an established stationer. From 1823 to 1837, they manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the marking "SMGR". After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as "S. Mordan & Co." This gold pencil which also has a pen nib is marked S.Mordan & Co. Inset in to the top is a bloodstone with an engraved monogram.}

A useful silver quizzer as they are called. It was made in 1903 in Birmingham. It has good magnification to times ten as a rough estimate. These types of quizzers alway look great worn on a medium length silver chain. They are decorative and very practical pieces of jewellery.}

An attractive silver bookmark of an owl. It was made in 1993 in Birmingham. It would be a great present for an owl enthusiast!}

A good hand made silver quizzing glass that was made circa 1820. It would look great on a silver chain.}

An attractive Art Nouveau ladies watch. The case is 18ct gold with an enamel design on either side and bordered with leaves. The sides are also decorated. The strap is a gold plated mesh strap marked Tessuflex. The movement is by the Swiss firm "Mira". It was established in 1896. It's name was derived from a binary star, 350 light years away from Earth. The star was discovered by astronomer David Fabricius in 1596 and later named by Johannes Hevelius in 1662 as “MIRA”, meaning “wonderful” and “astonishing” in Latin.}

An unusual set of faceted Bakelite buttons that were made in the 1920s. Ideal to add to a jacket to catch the eye!}

A pretty hatpin made by the firm Charles Horner in 1904. Charles Horner (1837–1896) was an English jeweller and founded his the Halifax based jewellery business in the 1860s “Charles Horner of Halifax”. It produced silver jewellery and ornaments. Among its better known jewellery lines were enamelled Art Nouveau pendants, and silver hatpins. Hatpins reached a peak of popularity between the 1890s and 1920s, as music hall actresses like Lillian Russell and Lillie Langtry fuelled the popularity of large elaborate hats without bonnet strings. Having originated in the 1850s to secure straw hats, hatpins became longer and more ornate over time until in 1910 the hatpin length, with the stems alone reached 10 to 12 inches. This hatpin is a good example of what was produced in the 1900s and would be ideal for a collector.}

A very striking large Art Nouveau silver hatpin in a thistle design that was made circa 1900 in Birmingham. Hatpins reached a peak of popularity between the 1890s and 1920s, as music hall actresses like Lillian Russell and Lillie Langtry fuelled the popularity of large elaborate hats without bonnet strings. Having originated in the 1850s to secure straw hats, hatpins became longer and more ornate over time until in 1910 the hatpin length, with the stems alone reached 10 to 12 inches. This hatpin is a good example of what was produced in the 1900s and would be ideal for a collector.}

A striking Victorian hair pin which could also be worn in a hat. The design is based on a flower with radiating petals in Vauxhall glass. It was made circa 1880 when it was fashionable to wear black jewellery in sympathy with the Queen, Victoria, who was in mourning for Prince Albert.}

A fine quality 18ct gold watch with a bow brooch above. It was made circa 1900, and is most probably French made for export as it carries "18K" marks. The deep blue enamel is translucent so that you can see the rays of engine turned engraving beneath. The lyre motif is set with rose diamonds. There are tiny "fleur de lis" applied in gold around the lyre. The bow brooch is also set with rose diamonds and has applied stars within the blue and white enamel.}

An unusual set of four horn buttons that were made circa 1880-1900. Each one has a brass head of a horse mounted on to the horn.}

A wonderful silver model of a pug dog with ruby eyes sitting on a column. The column has been enamelled in a translucent pearlised white colour. The base has a monogram which is difficult to decipher. It was made and retailed by the famous firm of Asprey in the 1900s.}

An extraordinary 18ct gold hatpin that was made circa 1800 in France. It is composed of twenty five flower clusters, each set with a turquoise which literally mean "Forget me not" after the flower of the same name.It is still in it's original case. It is a rare piece and would be an amazing addition to a collection.}

A fantastic pair of 18ct gold French lorgnettes. They spring open to reveal a pair of glasses which have a small magnification. The gold work is beautifully detailed with engraved straps going over and under each other. The gold mark even features a miniature lorgnette.}

A rare boxed set of six Art Nouveau Cymric silver Liberty buttons designed by Archibald Knox in their original case .  They were made in 1904 and are enamelled in a peacock feather pattern in blue and green.}

A good, large and striking 18th century silver buckle. It was made in France circa 1780-1800, and has a two wonderful bows top and bottom.}

A wonderful set of three silver gilt and tortoiseshell combs in their original case. They were retailed by E.Urgel in Toulouse. They are typical of the Belle Epoque period circa 1900-1910 and would have been worn in a chignon style.}

Spanning the reigns of 16 British Monarchs, Firmin & Sons, at the age of 360 years, can be said to be one of the 25 oldest established companies in the United Kingdom and is among the 500 oldest companies in the world. They have produced some of the finest buttons over the years. This set has six large and six small buttons with a crest of an eagle. They may well have been made for a High Sheriff. They are silver fronted with metal backs.}

Four original Victorian sixpences, two of which have a young Queen Victoria on the front and "Grandma" and "We" on the reverse of each one. The other two have the somewhat older Queen Victoria on the front and "Alice" and "Tom" on the reverse of each one. They can be bought separately for £25 each. "Tom" has sold "Alice" has sold "We" has sold}

A most unusual original Victorian silver tiara with acorn and oak leaf design. Mighty, strong, enduring and steadfast old oaks were venerated and used by the druids and later by the kings and the Church in England. The oak has been venerated in England for hundreds of years. The Oak tree symbolises hospitality, stability, strength, honour, eternity, endurance and liberty. There is the common saying "From great oaks little acorns grow". This tiara has a lovely naturalistic effect when worn, and has lovely connotations. It was made circa 1880.}

A pretty set of six silver Victorian buttons with five angel's heads on each button.}

A most unusual Art Nouveau gold pen which features a pansy coiling around the stem. It is set with a cabochon sapphire. It is most likely Austrian origin and is 14ct gold, and was made circa 1900-1910.}

An unusual pair of hatpins which are composed of amethyst, rock crystal and rose quartz. They are in the shape of acorns and in their original Vickery case.}

A fine example of Marcasite (iron pyrites) work inlaid in Sterling Silver with detailed strap. The hallmark dates the watch to 1960, made in Birmingham with maker's mark 'Y & E' The round face is easy to read and is marked 'Provita'.}

A very intriguing piece, this miniature, painted on ivory, is highly detailed. It has a silver frame and was most likely made circa 1870, although it could be earlier.}

This works! My dog is intrigued by it and it is unusual and stylish to wear. It was made circa 1880 and is carved in a type of agate known as cornelian.}

A rare hair slide which was made in the height of the Belle Epoque period in 1910. This would have been placed in a chignon. It is wonderful to imagine how beautiful the women would have looked with their silk and lace dresses, hair swept up with a piece such as this. It is the finest gold work set with diamonds, sapphires and natural pearls on to a blond tortoiseshell comb.}

This is a handsome watch in good working condition.  It was made between 1910-1920. Niello is a black mixture of copper silver and lead sulphides used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal. It is a complicated process and the end result is lovely. The watch is in good condition and has a small gold applied section with initials on it.}

A most unusual early version of a Vesta. This literally means a lighter. It is French and has a pullout flint which when struck on the side of the vesta ignites.}

A good pair of Georgian cut steel buckles which have a left and a right setting in their original case.}

A rare pair of 18ct gold hatpins which were retailed by Wathersdon (later to become Wathersdon & Brogden) They are mounted with carved banded agates with gold finials. A wonderful addition to a collection.}

A pretty Art Nouveau scarf clip carved in horn with a swallow motif.}

A good set of German castle buttons, circa 1880, made in base metal but good quality nonetheless.}

An unusual buckle with two miniatures on ivory, made circa 1890. It is silver.}

For anyone who needs a little magnification, these lorgnettes are great, and very stylish to wear. The main body is tortoishelle with silver hinges etc. These were made circa 1890.}

This Georgian plaque - depicting a Grecian muse cavorting in an Elysian background playing her triangle - is delightful. It was probably originally set onto a box top.}

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A beautiful lady's Art Deco platinum watch with a clear round face set with old eight-cut diamonds. The watch is stamped for platinum on the inside. Total carat weight: 50 points The strap is a later addition, stamped and dated London 1954 and is marked 9ct white gold. It has 3 sections to clip into, for different size wrists.}