Fellows’ Sept. 21 auction documents England’s rich history of silver & metals design
Victorian silver ‘castle-top’ snuffbox by Nathaniel Mills. Fellows image
BIRMINGHAM, UK – Fellows’ Sept. 21 sale of silver promises to deliver a varied range of lots to suit all budgets and interests. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
Highlights begin with the exceptional silver Cymric mantel clock, embossed with a foliate motif and stylized numerals, hallmarked “Liberty & Co. Ltd., Birmingham 1902.” Cymric silver was a brand name of gold and silverware by Liberty & Co., equivalent to the pewter design Tudric; aptly named to reflect its Celtic-inspired designs. Archibald Knox created most of the designs for the range, alongside designers Rex Silver and Arthur Gaskin.
Liberty & Co. silver Cymric mantel clock. Fellows image
During the mid-18th century the Birmingham metal trade flourished, in particular producing large volumes of small personal items known as “toys.” Nathaniel Mills is one of the well-known Birmingham toy makers. He excelled in making silver boxes, vinaigrettes, snuffboxes and card cases – examples of which can all be found in Fellows’ auction. Nathaniel Mills “castle-top” vinaigrettes are perhaps the most highly regarded. As many boxes depict castles the generic name “castle top” was quickly adopted; although some include famous buildings or landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament.
Early Victorian silver-gilt ‘castle-top’ vinaigrette. Fellows image
Early Victorian ‘castle-top’ card case by Nathaniel Mills. Fellows image
The September auction features some other well-known makers including a modern silver salver with Chippendale-style border by Albert Edward Jones (Lot 328), an early 20th-century 16-piece silver-gilt dressing table set by Asprey & Co. (Lot 366), and a late-19th century silver mounted walking stick handle by Oomersi Mawji (below), wonderfully decorated with close floral scroll repousse (Lot 668).
Late 19th century silver mounted walking stick handle by Oomersi Mawji. Fellows image
Avid spoon collectors will be interested in the Charles I silver-gilt Apostle spoon (Lot 617), the fig-shape bowl with slightly tapering stem and Apostle terminal, hallmarked Benjamin Yates, London 1633.
Charles I silver-gilt Apostle spoon by Benjamin Yates. Fellows image
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