When having your pocket watch valued for insurance, probate, or sale, one of the first things a valuer will do is assess the hallmarks of the pocket watch. These hallmarks can tell a valuer a lot about the age, origin, and make-up of a watch. Hallmarks can be difficult to read for the untrained eye. […]
Georg Jensen silver is amongst some of the most sought-after silverware on the secondary market. From his beginnings during the Art Nouveau period through to his death in 1935, Georg Jensen produced some stunning and timeless silverware that continues to be popular today. With many of Jensen’s designs instantly recognisable, it is no wonder that […]
Danish silversmith and designer, Georg Jensen, has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the landscape of jewellery fashions. From his beginnings during the age of Art Nouveau through to his death in 1935, Georg Jensen created innovative jewellery designs echoing forms of nature and geometry. His designs and collaborations put him at the forefront of […]
Pocket watches have been a fashionable accessory for centuries. The pocket watch reached the height of its popularity in the late 19th century when it became an important part of railroad timekeeping. This constituted a shift in the availability of pocket watches. Previously reserved as status symbols for the upper class, pocket watches were now […]
The Waltham Watch Company, also known as the American Waltham Watch Co., holds a significant place in horological history. Established in 1850 in Waltham, Massachusetts by watchmaker Aaron Lufkin Dennison, this company emerged as a true pioneer in the world of timekeeping. Shoemaker’s Son To Watchmaking Pioneer Born in 1812 to a shoemaker in Maine, […]
Pocket watches have been a popular fashion accessory and timepiece for centuries. From their invention in Nuremberg in 1510 to their mass popularisation in the 19th century, the pocket watch has served numerous purposes from simple timekeeping to use as a status symbol. If you are considering selling your pocket watch, or having it valued, […]
Kim Kardashian is now the proud owner of the Attallah Cross, a necklace that was famously worn by Princess Diana a number of times, the first being in 1987. The stunning cross-shaped pendant was created by jewellery house Garrard in the 1920s, many believe as a one-off commission. It consists of 11 square-cut amethysts surrounded […]
British silver and gold hallmarking have an extensive and complicated history, involving the introduction and abolition of certain hallmarks, and the extensive format changes of others. The result of the British hallmarking system is a strict and streamlined system that helps to regulate the purity and origins of precious and semi-precious metals. Henry II is […]
The House of Fabergé has become one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable creator of fine art objects and jewellery in the world, but its journey has not always been smooth sailing. From its conception in the 1830s, Fabergé has seen periods of huge growth, legal battles, political instability before arriving at the point […]
The jewellery market is vast, and selling your jewellery can seem like an impossible venture. After all, where do you start? How can you get the best price for your jewellery? In this guide, we will discuss the main ways to sell your jewellery, and how to make sure that you are getting the best […]
Political activist and street artist, Banksy, has broken a world record this week with the sale of Love is in the Bin, a painting that was shredded in front of a shocked audience at Sotheby’s London in 2018. The painting had just been bought by a private buyer for £1.04 million. Yesterday (Thursday 14th October […]
In the 1650s, the newest exciting development had arrived on Britain’s shores, this time it was tea from China. As it was brought back from overseas, tea was incredibly scarce and as such its price was very high; in 1664, the cost of tea was already 40s per pound, although this is not as high […]
A tankard is a lidded vessel used to drink out of, usually for beer or cider, and is often made of silver. The earliest known accounts referencing tankards date back as early as the 14th century, however, the earliest surviving tankards come from the 15th century. These early examples were often pear-shaped and have a […]
The word ‘salver’ likely stems from the Spanish word ‘salva’ which means ‘to preserve’. This makes sense when considering that salvers appear to originate from the Middle Ages as a way of presenting food to be tested in a time where the threat of poison was very real and widespread. Any flat dish can be […]
A canister for holding loose tea leaves, a tea caddy originates from the east in places such as China and India, and takes its name from the Malay ‘kati’ which means 1 ⅕ pounds. As such, early western tea caddies take their form from Chinese porcelain examples. These were most commonly rectangular or octagonal and […]
We often broker unique and interesting items at Mark Littler LTD and this medieval marriage ring is no exception. This 15th century piece of jewellery was discovered by beginner metal detectorist, Lee Rossiter, in Green Hammerton, North Yorkshire. The ring was miraculously in excellent condition despite having been buried for nearly 600 years.
Cartier’s Tutti Frutti design is perhaps one of the most recognisable jewellery designs of all time. Using brightly-coloured and striking carved gemstones, Tutti Frutti has become synonymous with the super-premium brand. The history of this infamous design dates back to 1901. At the start of the 20th century, Alexandra of Denmark, Queen Consort of the […]
It’s fair to say we broker a diverse range of items at Mark Littler LTD and this Porsche 356C is certainly one of the most good looking cars we have sold. The car was in a very good state of preservation as a result of the previous owners care and restoration carried out over many […]
An Opportune Marriage Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the most recognisable names in Art Deco jewellery, having supplied jewellery to the rich and famous since the company’s founding. The jeweller had many famous advocates, such as Grace Kelly and Empress Farah Pahlavi, making the firm one of the most successful Art Deco-style jewellers […]
The term taxidermy is based on the Latin Taxis (to arrange) and Derma (skin). Traditionally taxidermy is considered the process by which the skin of a subject is preserved and then arranged in a lifelike form. Taxidermy has a rich history and during most of its development was entwined deeply in the early science of […]