POM158

Style: set of two salt shells and spoon

Material: solid sterling silver

Weight: 26.5 gr

Dimensions: shells are 4.8 cm x 4.8cm x 2cm

Inscriptions:

Shells: L.B, lion, letter M, anchor

Maker's Mark (L.B): Leech Brothers. This represents the silversmith or manufacturer who registered the piece. For British silver from the late 19th or early 20th century, initials like L.B identify the specific workshop or company responsible for crafting the item.

The Lion Passant (Walking Lion): This is the official British assay symbol certifying that the item is solid sterling silver (92.5% pure silver).

The Anchor (Assay Office Mark): This symbol indicates that the silver was tested and verified at the Birmingham Assay Office in England.

The Date Letter: The lowercase gothic or stylized letter inside the final cartouche indicates the exact year the piece was assayed and hallmarked.

Spoon: &WW, lion, leopard's head, letter q

The spoon features a series of British hallmarks from the Georgian era.

The Maker's Mark "&WW": Wakely & Wheeler (Wakely & Wheeler was a prestigious London manufacturing silversmith firm whose origins trace back to 1791)

The Lion Passant: This walking lion facing left certifies the silver purity. It guarantees the piece is sterling silver, with a minimum fineness of 925/1000.

The Leopard's Head: This symbol represents the Assay Office of London, where the item was tested and stamped.

The Date Letter ("q"): The specific lowercase Gothic style of this letter inside its distinct shield identifies the exact year of manufacture as 1811 (during the reign of King George III).

Antique sterling silver salt cellars shaped like scallop shells, supported by small balls. These delicate tableware items were designed to serve fine salt to individual guests.

I chose to preserve the original patina, which protects its historical integrity, sharp details, and value for collectors.