Metalware

This sector comprises artefacts made from both base and precious metals. Many antique items were originally used for domestic purposes but are now collected on account of their craftsmanship, decorative quality and social interest.

Items can range from include pewter jugs, tin pots, brass bells, copper weathervanes and cast iron benches.

While this area offers plenty of affordable material, rare historical survivors can command high prices.


img_48-4.jpg

Thomire candlesticks offered at Duran Subastas sale

14 May 2018

This pair of ormolu candlesticks by Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) will feature in the May 24 auction at Duran Subastas in Madrid.

Catton Hall chapel

Derbyshire family and police call on antiques trade to help locate stolen artefacts from private chapel

10 May 2018

A family are calling on the antiques trade to help them locate brass artefacts stolen from a private chapel in Walton upon Trent in Derbyshire.

img_94-1.jpg

Art Nouveau centrepiece set to take prominence in Munich

07 May 2018

A late 19th century Art Nouveau centrepiece is one of the highlights at Quittenbaum’s Munich sale on May 15.

Post box

Postbox theft sparks fear of rising problem in the UK

08 August 2017

The theft of a 19th century postbox in Asthall Leigh in west Oxfordshire earlier this year has led local councillors to fear criminals are targeting specific postboxes to sell on for hundreds of pounds.

silver tankard

Somerset museum brings home 300-year old tankard after fundraising for auction bid

25 July 2017

The Bruton Museum in Somerset has bought a rare silver tankard at nearby saleroom Lawrences of Crewkerne.

I want it Hall: club’s annual fair

10 July 2017

Held in Staffordshire this Saturday (July 15) is the annual Old Hall Collectors’ Club Fair.

Bath

Police appeal for help to find bronze sculptures stolen from Bath antiques dealer

23 May 2017

Police are appealing to the trade to help find a number of bronze statues that were stolen from an antiques dealer in Bath.

img_17-5.jpg

Early metalwork from the Golding Barrett Collection

05 April 2017

Among the most eagerly contested sections of the Bonhams sale was the 22 lots from the Golding Barrett Collection.

15-11-06-2215 NE02A Barkentin Krall chalice.jpg

Burges chalice surfaces in Oxfordshire

06 November 2015

Many who viewed a Barkentin and Krall chalice at JS Auctions in Bodicote, Oxfordshire will have hoped to win it close to its £300-500 estimate.

15-04-29-2189NE01A Massimiliano Soldani Benzi.jpg

Soldani bronze brings £320,000

29 April 2015

This Italian baroque bronze depicting ‘Ganymede and the Eagle’ by Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656-1740) proved the highlight of Lyon & Turnbull’s recent sale in Edinburgh.

15-03-25-2184NE01A dukes dorchester.jpg

Striking Russian gold in Dorset

25 March 2015

Two large 18th century gold medals depicting events from the reign of Catherine the Great sold for spectacular sums at Duke’s latest auction in Dorchester.

14-12-03-2169NE03A Sothebys.jpg

Cromwell’s coffin plate on the auction block

03 December 2014

This copper-gilt coffin plate, bearing an inscription in Latin with the dates of Oliver Cromwell’s birth, death and inauguration as Lord Protector and the arms of the Protectorate to the reverse, was found when his body was exhumed from the Henry VII chapel at Westminster Abbey on January 26, 1661.

14-08-22-2155NE01A Monymusk Reliquary.jpg

Scotland votes 'yes' for Brecbannoch of Columba in replica

22 August 2014

With the Scottish referendum only weeks away, there could hardly be a better time to offer a replica of a reliquary which for centuries was a powerful symbol of Scotland’s national identity.

14-8-8-2153armsA powder flask.jpg

Keeping your powder dry – a matter of life and death

08 August 2014

In the days when muzzle-loaders were the only choice for shooters, the one essential accessory was a flask for the powder. Many a battle or huntsman’s quarry has been lost through poorly kept powder.

14-07-04-2149LS01E Archibald Knox.jpg

Knox’s 150th anniversary brings keen interest

04 July 2014

A strong selection of Tudric (pewter) and Cymric (silver) creations by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co was the focus of keen bidding at Bonhams’ decorative arts from 1860 sale in New Bond Street.

14-05-30-2144AR01A Coalbrookdale garden seats.jpg

Cast iron back in demand as Chinese bidders plough an unlikely new field

30 May 2014

For a cast-iron sign that spring has brought a resurgence in the garden look to the results of the recent biannual sale of garden design at Summers Place Auctions where Coalbrookdale seats were back in the limelight.

Huge cache of Arts and Crafts wares emerge from bank vault

28 April 2014

A massive cache of British Arts and Crafts metalware and ceramics stored in a bank for over 25 years will be sold by Bonhams through their forthcoming decorative arts auctions.

2133NE05 BELL 1.jpg

Museum’s shipshape purchases

31 March 2014

The rare First World War German ship’s bell featured in ATG No 2133 has found a very suitable home – the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

14-03-20-2133NE06A Atlantic Crossing Auctions.jpg

Bell rings in a year of WW1 centenary sales

20 March 2014

Theophilus Jones, a private in the Durham Light Infantry, achieved the unfortunate distinction of being the first soldier to be killed on British soil during the First World War.

14-02-17-2129NE04A Archibald Knox Olympia.jpg

Special exhibition of Archibald Knox metalwork at Olympia

17 February 2014

To mark the 150th anniversary of Archibald Knox’s birth, the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair will host a special exhibition celebrating the work of the Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts designer at this year’s fair.

Categories

News