LONDON – Roseberys’ quarterly fine art auction in March will include a sale of fine and rare silver, the core of which is formed by a single-owner collection amassed by a private individual between the 1930s and the 1950s. The pieces, which will sell on Wednesday, March 19, were bought from country house sales, West End dealers and other collectors. They represent high quality examples by the finest makers. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
The range of this auction is notable. It includes five tea caddies dating from the 1700s, two Elizabethan church chalices as well as a George I example and a quantity of rare Irish silver. Other pieces date from the reigns of Charles II and James I.
The earliest lot is an Elizabeth I church chalice made in Norwich circa 1565-1570. It is engraved “FOR THE TOVNE OF ANTYNGAM,” which is today known as Antingham, a village 2.5 miles northwest of North Walsham, Norfolk. It has an estimate of £5,000-£8,000.
“This was probably removed from St. Margaret’s Church, which was demolished in the 1880s,” said Rosebery’s silver expert Richard Gibbon. “Most silver was assayed in Birmingham, Sheffield and London. Norwich plate, along with that from other provincial assay offices, is very collectable because it is scarcer.”
When cataloging the collection, Roseberys’ valuers were amazed to find a rare James I silver wine taster, made in London in 1613 and with a makers’ mark of “WR.” This wine taster, which is estimated at £3,000-£5,000, predates the acknowledged earliest English example (1631), held in the Jackson Collection at the National Museum of Wales.
Less common than English silver, Irish silver is highly collectable. Twin-handle cups don’t come onto the market frequently and there are six in the auction, including a matching pair. A fine example made in Dublin, circa 1681, has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000.
A charming and unusual piece is a small silver dog collar, early 18th century, which is, unusually, pierced with the owner’s name and address (Miss Horner, Grosvenor Street) as an integral part of the design. Approximately 7.5cm in diameter it would have been worn by a toy dog breed popular in the period. Silver dog collars are highly collectible and this example would have been very expensive to have made. It has a £200-£300 estimate.
A George lll silver tea caddy, London, circa 1768, by William & Aaron Lestourgeon, a very desirable maker, includes Oriental calligraphy, which was fashionable at the time.
It carries a £4,000-£6,000 estimate.
Made in London circa 1762 by John Schuppe, a silver cow creamer retains its textured surface usually disappears with wear over the years. It has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000.
View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.liveauctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
