Stories in silver. Small objects, enduring stories.
14th October 2026-
A Scottish silver and enamel medallion trophy was awarded to a pet poodle by the Alliance Assurance Company (lot 475)
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An unmarked 18th century snuff box of Jacobite interest (lot 473) includes an account of Menzies of Shean, who vanished at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
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Commemorating the Great Storm of October 1987. A candlestick by Steve Wager, London 2008 (lot 673) modelled after an oak tree stump
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A George II Irish silver, globe form soap/sponge box by John Williamson, Dublin 1738 (lot 711). Estimate £5,000-£7,000
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A 1763 cow creamer. Lot 729. Estimate: £1,500–£2,500
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A naturalistic 19th-century German silver pig with a detachable head. Lot 800. Estimate: £600–£800
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Victorian monkey smoker’s companion. Lot 544. Estimate £1,500-£2,000
The two-day Autumn Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu sale on 20th and 21st October, featuring over 800 lots, offers collectors a treasure trove of objects that showcase craftsmanship, ingenuity and enduring stories behind objects uniquely of their time.
Heroic black poodle. A Scottish silver and enamel medallion trophy was awarded to a pet poodle named ‘Zulu’ by the Alliance Assurance Company (lot 475) for saving a Glasgow home from fire on the 26th December 1897. The insurer, grateful for being saved from a large claim and much to the owner’s delight, created a special trophy for the much-loved pet. (Estimate: £400-£600)
Bonnie Prince Charlie. An unmarked 18th century snuff box of Jacobite interest (lot 473) with concealed portrait of Charles Stuart, includes an account of the tragic legend of Menzies of Shean, who vanished at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Menzies’ riderless horse reportedly travelled all the way back from the Inverness-shire battlefield to his estate at Feddal House, the day after the battle. (Estimate: £200–£300)
Infamous Winter Storm. Created to remember the Great Storm of October 1987, is a haunting candlestick by Steve Wager, London 2008 (lot 673) modelled after an oak tree stump. Steve Wager spent over 25 years working for Asprey before setting up his own silversmithing workshop in 2002. (Estimate: £1,000-£1,500)
The Travelling Aristocrat. A George II Irish silver, globe form soap/sponge box by John Williamson, Dublin 1738 (lot 711), has a pierced lid designed to let a sea sponge dry out naturally. Identical boxes with solid domed lids to house balls of scented soap, were often made as a pair for the travelling Georgian aristocrat, featuring a circular foot to prevent the box rolling off a washstand. This rare example is engraved with the arms of Putland. (Estimate: £5,000-£7,000)
Charming Silver Animals. The sale also includes a 1763 cow creamer (lot 729. Estimate: £1,500–£2,500), a naturalistic 19th-century German silver pig with a detachable head (lot 800. Estimate: £600–£800), Victorian monkey smoker’s companion (lot 544. Estimate £1,500-£2,000).
Silver specialist Rupert Slingsby said, “The October sale has such a wide variety of interesting and unusual items. We are lucky to include several private collections, including silver from around the world, dating from the Elizabethan era to the early 2000’s.”
