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.


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Crowning glory: George II coronation relic rings a bell

01 May 2023

George II coronation bell has considerable regal appeal at £7200

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Spoon that served a princess

01 May 2023

This medical spoon bears the crest and inscription The Princess Sophia (the 12th child of George III and Queen Charlotte).

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A silver-gilt bell used at George II's coronation is among five lots to watch

17 April 2023

With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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The baker’s guild jug: Bergen peg tankard brings £11,200

10 April 2023

The name ‘peg tankard’ is derived from the vertical row of pegs inside that can be used to measure the amount of alcohol drunk as the tankard was passed around the table. The form, made in wood and in silver, was particularly prevalent in Scandinavia.

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Electrotype tankard copied from ivory original sells in Scotland

03 April 2023

This 12in (30cm) high gilt-copper electrotype tankard by Elkington of Birmingham copies an 17th century ivory tankard with silver mounts.

Regency bronze candlesticks

English candlesticks created with Egyptian style

13 March 2023

This pair of English Regency bronze candlesticks in Egyptian revival taste sold for £1800 at Laidlaw (20% buyer’s premium).

Elizabeth I bronze pint exchequer measure

Pick of the week: Pint standard measure makes stand-out price

06 March 2023

Since the days of Magna Carta, it was thought the best way to avoid a fraudulent measure was to have a verified ‘standard’ against which all others could be judged.

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Tankard has the look of the Irish

06 March 2023

Size, quality and sheer Irishness made the tankard shown here the toast of the silver sold at Ipswich auction house Lockdales (19.5% buyer’s premium).

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From darkness came light: the Bud Lear collection of historical candlesticks

27 February 2023

US collector Bud Lear teamed up with UK metalwork dealer Christopher Bangs to investigate early types of metal candlesticks

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Exhibition of medieval and Renaissance treasures in Antwerp

13 February 2023

A large and highly decorated processional cross, 18 x 10in (45 x 25cm), from 13th century Limoges is among the highlights in Bernard Descheemaeker’s exhibition and latest catalogue.

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An English medieval candlestick is among five lots to watch this week

16 January 2023

With estimates from £200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

John Paul Cooper goblet

Arts & Crafts Cooper goblet spotted by dealer at auction

28 November 2022

An Arts & Crafts goblet soared over estimate last week to land in the stock of dealer Anthony Bernbaum of The Peartree Collection, who recognised it as the work of John Paul Cooper (1869-1933).

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Obituary: Antiques dealer Danny Robinson

31 October 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce Danny Robinson has passed away peacefully after a short stay in hospital at the age of 84.

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Silver candlesticks linked to Prussian royal family spotted by eagle-eyed bidders

17 October 2022

On the first day of an auction held by Schloss Ahlden (26% buyer’s premium), a German collector with a passion for history saw off numerous dealers and collectors from home and abroad who had also trained their sights on a set of four silver candlesticks from the early 19th century.

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Lantern that meant last orders

17 October 2022

A very rare form of German 17th century silver is on offer at Van Ham’s auction on November 16 in Cologne.

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Mortars sell in the grind manner

17 October 2022

Bronze examples from the estate of renowned late metalware dealer catch the attention

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It’s a burner bonus

03 October 2022

Although catalogued as a lantern, this Russian silver, gilt and enamel object is more probably an incense burner, used in the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

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Seventeenth-century Hôtel Lambert furnishes enough lots for a six-sale series

03 October 2022

Sotheby’s Paris is selling the contents from the Hôtel Lambert, a 17th century Parisian Hôtel Particulier on the Ile de La Cité.

Russian incense burner

Russian incense burner stars in our latest pick of five auction highlights

09 September 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a 19th century Russian silver, gilt and enamel incense burner that made over 30-times estimate in Bedford.

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Obituary: Metalware dealer Christopher Bangs

05 September 2022

Christopher Bangs, who is probably best known for his reference book on candlesticks, 'The Lear Collection', was a man of many talents.

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