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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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.

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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.

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The mark of Barbedienne helps jardinière to £95,000 in Chiswick

11 February 2014

High Road Auctions set a new house record with the sale of this French bronze and cloisonné jardinière c.1870 by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-92).

The importance of the Punta Cana Pewter Wreck

16 October 2013

Martin Roberts, the UK specialist who worked as a consultant on the Punta Cana site, discusses the importance of the Pewter Wreck.

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Cargo sheds new light on pewter

16 October 2013

Doncaster auctioneer Sid Wilkinson is to sell items from a huge cache of Tudor pewter tablewares recently discovered by professional treasure hunters off the coast of the Dominican Republic.

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‘Wild man’ spoon is Benson best-seller

10 June 2013

The Benson collection of early spoons was dispersed at Christie’s King Street last week. The highest selling lot was a Henry VI spoon with a Wodewose or wild man finial (one of only four known) which was secured by a UK private buyer on the phone for £70,000.

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New study sheds light on Midlands japanned ware

26 March 2013

When she was given the task of cataloguing the japanned ware at the Wolverhampton Art Galleries and Museums, Yvonne Jones quickly discovered two things: the subject was more complex than most people had assumed and there was little in the way of research to help her.

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Chinaman money bank at Lincoln sale

21 December 2012

One of only around 100 made, this reclining Chinaman cast-iron money bank will go under the hammer at Unique Auctions of Lincoln on January 1.

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Art and Crafts rarities emerge in New Jersey

13 December 2012

The 20th/21st Century Design sale at Rago Arts of Lambertville, New Jersey on October 26-28 included this exceptional enamel by Alexander Fisher (1864-1936).

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Cloisonné vases at Cheshire sale

30 November 2012

A pair of 2ft 3in (71cm) high Elkington & Co cloisonné vases with ornate ormolu mounts will be offered on December 13-14 by Cheshire auctioneers Adam Partridge.

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From the tavern to the saleroom: pewter in Chester

16 November 2012

Bonhams’ Chester rooms will offer the Michael Boorer Pewter Collection on November 22, providing an opportunity for pewter collectors to bid for items used in pubs 300 to 400 years ago.

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Wenlok Jug recovered by police

02 October 2012

The 14th century Wenlok Jug has been returned to a Luton museum after it was stolen in May.

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Blumgart bells toll in South Africa

23 July 2012

This Saturday, Provenance Auction House of Cape Town will sell the first instalment of an extraordinary collection of 300 bells formed by the late Keith Blumgart.

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Silver tankard born and bred in Yorkshire

19 July 2012

The outstanding lot at the latest three-day sale at Bonhams Chester was this extremely rare c.1680 tankard.

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Wenlok jug stolen from museum

21 May 2012

A very rare medieval jug, originally sold at Sotheby’s but then put on display by a Luton museum after a successful appeal to keep it in the UK, has been stolen.

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What price the Pugin premium today?

11 May 2012

Sworders’ Spring Country House sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on April 24 included a remarkable collection of pieces designed by Augustus Pugin for his own Ramsgate home.

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Early measures raised to the level of works of art

19 March 2012

“THERE shall be one measure of wine throughout our whole realm, and one measure of ale and one measure of corn – namely, the London quart.”

Stolen lectern tracked to Romania

06 January 2012

A 19th century brass lectern stolen from a church in Wiltshire has emerged at an antiques fair in Romania.

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Lloyd Wright’s iconic urn sells for $650,000 in Chicago

10 October 2011

MADE by James A. Miller and Brother of Chicago to a design of c.1898, Frank Lloyd Wright’s 18in (45cm) high spherical copper urn worked with repoussé panels of interlocking geometric decoration, shown here, has become an icon of the American Arts & Crafts movement.

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Guernsey bell rings at £7200

27 September 2011

AUCTIONEERS Martel Maides of St Peter Port in Guernsey were amazed to encounter this Channel Islands silver table bell in a recent over-the-counter valuation.

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