Almost 650 lots of silver went under the hammer on the first day of Lawrences’ Spring Fine Art auction on 8 April. Collectors showed themselves to be keen on buying at every level of the market with little left unsold.An unusual early 19th century marrow scoop set the tone of the day early on by making four times its estimate (£690), largely on the strength of its appealing Maltese origin.
A sugar bowl and cover of similar origin made £2270 after keen competition. An English spoon from the reign of King James I (1605) by Martin Cottrell of London made £2500, whilst a German parcelgilt beaker and cover from the later 17th century exceeded hopes of £700 to make £2740.
A sugar bowl and cover of similar origin made £2270 after keen competition. An English spoon from the reign of King James I (1605) by Martin Cottrell of London made £2500, whilst a German parcelgilt beaker and cover from the later 17th century exceeded hopes of £700 to make £2740.
Novelty pieces or items of unusual shape are always in demand, so a mustard pot in the form of a hot air balloon was destined to take off.
Against an estimate of £600-800, it floated up to £2330. Another mustard pot in the form of an owl swooped to £1190 and an inch-long fob seal, possibly 16th Century got the stamp of approval from bidders as it made £1910. Snuff boxes sold well too.
Against an estimate of £600-800, it floated up to £2330. Another mustard pot in the form of an owl swooped to £1190 and an inch-long fob seal, possibly 16th Century got the stamp of approval from bidders as it made £1910. Snuff boxes sold well too.
The day’s top price was achieved by two late 18th century Russian silver gilt vodka cups, barely 1.5 inches high, which made £7170.
