Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu

Following the success of the April Fine Silver and July Silver sales, the October 30th Fine Silver auction will comprise antique silver, Scottish and Irish silver, flatware, modern and Post war silver, foreign silver and objects of vertu, including a private collection of S. Mordan, pencils and other writing equipment.  There will also be several private collections of silver, including one of George II/III silver spurs, with estimates starting at £300.  We are pleased to be selling 18 lots on behalf of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, lots 397-414.

A feature of the sale is early silver, and the market remains high for both flatware and hollowware. We will be selling Part III of a private collection of Queen Anne spoons, a highlight being a rare pair of Scottish provincial silver Dog-nose spoons, by David Dunlop, Canongate circa 1703.  The sale also contains another small private collection of early silver Apostle spoons which includes a James I example by Martin Hewett, London 1615.  Also included in the auction is a pair of Queen Anne candlesticks by John Barnard, London 1705, which were purchased from Mrs How, and a pair of George I silver candlesticks, by David Green, London 1721. 

Also included in the sale is The Barncleuch Spoon.  A rare and important Charles I Scottish Puritan spoon, by George Gleghorne, Edinburgh circa 1653-5, initialled 'QH' over 'MD', for Quintin Hamilton of Barncleuch, it is assumed that the 'MD' is for Marion Denham, his wife.  Estimate £20,000-£30,000.

Caddy spoons and novelty items have a strong following, especially for rarer pieces, and two good examples in the sale are the eagle’s wing, by Joseph Willmore, and silver-gilt budgerigar pepper pot, by Walker and Hall. 

For buyers of modern silver, highlights include a three-piece silver and enamel Tea Dance tea set by Fred Rich in partnership with Adrian Butcher, estimate £20,000-£30,000, and also by Fred Rich, a silver and enamel vase, estimate £5,000-£7,000.  There is also a selection of Arts & Crafts items including a silver bishop's crozier by Ramsden & Carr, estimate £1,500-£2,000.