Silver & Objects of Vertu - Day 1 - 18th April 2023

Please note: this is a two-day sale.

Tuesday 18th April 2023: Lot 1-359

Wednesday 19th April 2023: Lot 360-705

Please click here to see Day 2 of the sale.

The 18th and 19th April Silver & Objects of Vertu sale comprises 705 lots, including flatware, mixed lots, Scottish and Irish items, foreign silver and private collections.

With the coronation of King Charles III fast approaching, we are thrilled to include in our next sale of Silver & Objects of Vertu a rare item in keeping with the times, a silver-gilt George II coronation canopy bell. Only a small group of coronation bells survive today, originally made to embellish the canopy held by the Barons of the Cinque Ports above the sovereign during their coronation. One bell was the prerequisite of each bearer, and this example is particularly significant, as it has come to the present owner by descent from the Hon. George Berkeley, canopy bearer for George II as M.P. for Dover.

Our department has had the privilege of selling a number of important early silver spoons in recent years, and our April sale will showcase an exceptional private collection, almost unique in featuring an example from the reign of every Tudor monarch. Highlights include a Henry VII Wrythen Knop spoon originally from the Staniforth Collection, which at one time was the earliest dated spoon known, and a pair of Henry VII Apostle spoons from the earliest recorded set to bear full London hallmarks.

We are also pleased to include a hundred and twenty lots from the collection of the late Barry Lock. A connoisseur of fine silver, Lock was not just a passionate collector but also a keen enthusiast of aristocratic history.  Amongst these, featuring is our sale will be a marvellous silver-gilt trophy ewer, The Wellington Cup, bearing a presentation inscription to Lord Rous and hallmarks for John Houle, London 1815.

The upcoming sale will also showcase a number of further private collections, one including a group of silver and Old Sheffield Plate argyles. Among the other highlights, there will be included a beautiful bowl by renowned Arts & Crafts silversmith Gilbert Marks, with embossed daffodils and hammered decoration, the perfect Spring gift.