DALLAS – Adrenaline remained high throughout Heritage Auctions’ eight-hour Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu Auction May 20, as one great collection followed the last. The room was electrified from the onset of the sale as an auction record was set for a single American silver spoon by America’s most famous silversmith, Paul Revere, Jr., and this momentum continued to the end. Interest was staggering, selling 99% by volume, and the value incredible, with the auction flying past its high estimate to reach $2,433,894.

A stunning collection of well-provenanced silver by Paul Revere, Jr. sold for a combined $336,250, well above expectations. “This was the largest number of his pieces ever sold in a single auction,” said Karen Rigdon, Director of Silver and Fine and Decorative Arts at Heritage. “It was extremely exciting to bring this collection to auction and watch it perform so well.”

The auction’s top lot was a tankard made by the renowned silversmith. Made circa 1790 and standing 10in high, the Revere, Jr., silver tankard sold at $112,500. A table spoon made by Revere, monogrammed “HH” for Hepzibah (Hall) Fitch, set a world record at $32,500 for the highest price paid at auction for an American spoon. Coming in a close second, a Revere, Jr., silver ladle, made in Boston circa 1880, sold for $31,250.

American Aesthetic Movement silver fared well with spirited bidding for a large Tiffany & Co. Lap-Over-Edge pattern service selling all in for $57,875. A Gorham Ice Bucket, festooned with icicles set on an iceberg and offered together with its identically monogrammed original spoon, received much attention, selling for $23,750.

A selection of strong Neoclassical forms with imposing bodies on lion’s feet by Paul Storr continue to have a great following, selling for a combined $147,437. The group’s top lot was a Storr Regency tea urn from a Dallas collection of English silver. The piece, made in London circa 1815, sold for $38,750. A stunning tureen from the collection sold at $24,375 and a coveted pair of covered sauce tureens turned heads at $18,750.

A special collection of gold boxes from the collection of David Mehler prompted a frenzy of interest and brought a combined $141,125. The collection’s top lot was a French vari-color 18K gold snuff box, which sold for $30,000.

Demand for late 20th-century objects created in the manner of Faberge continues to grow among collectors due to its exceptional craftsmanship. Crowning the $337,375 result for the collection was the Revolving Egg-Form Clock, which sold for $42,500.

A wide range of early works by Georg Jensen, and later iconic modernist designs which included jewelry, were highlights of the collection of Dr. James Young. The star was Georg Jensen No. 337 covered bowl and underplate at $47,500, which far exceeded all other recent results. Unsurprisingly, a monumental Louvre Cistern sold for $40,000, and a pair of No. 725B wine coolers ended at $25,000. The strongest result among the Jensen jewelry offerings was for the No. 115 Sycamore Pod necklace in 18K gold at $12,187.

Additional highlights from the auction include a dramatic, five-piece Japanese dragon-form coffee service that sold for $37,500 against an $8,000 estimate, as well as pieces by Graziella Laffi. Her massive floor vase sold for $15,000.

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