Silver & Silver-plated items

Barkentin and Krall chalice

Barkentin and Krall chalice - £27,500 at JS Auctions.

When it comes to antique silverware, the size and weight of objects does not always determine value. Grand works by the likes of London-based Huguenot Paul de Lamerie or the Germain family in Paris have acquired huge status and value, while small objects such as nutmeg graters, early spoons or vesta cases can command high sums as they have a strong specialist collecting base.

The system of silver hallmarks serves as a quality control, giving an official stamp from showing the metal is of requisite purity, but the marks (or punches) also reveal the year, the place of origin and the identity of the maker, providing pieces of silverware with their own stamped passport of information.


gold rings

More antiques head for scrap as gold reaches all-time high

02 October 2024

This week’s record gold price has led to greater amounts of antique items being scrapped.

img_18-2.jpg

Silver linings in a suitcase

30 September 2024

Pulling out a suitcase from under a bed during a probate valuation, Dawsons’ valuer could scarcely have guessed what they would find hidden inside.

img_30-1.jpg

Previews: issue 2662

30 September 2024

Our selection of lots from ten upcoming auctions

Congressional gold medal

Congressional naval medals show dramatic increase in value over two decades

27 September 2024

Five historic Congressional naval medals awarded during the War of 1812 excelled at Noonans latest sale of British, World Coins and Historical Medals.

img_12-1.jpg

Single-owner collections: one careful owner

23 September 2024

Whether it is a collection accumulated by a family often over generations or amassed through the efforts of an individual, such sales can deliver big results - especially now for regional auction houses winning consignments

Chinese export silver standing cup

Single-owner collection of Chinese export silver emerges at Chiswick Auctions

12 September 2024

The Gerard collection of Chinese export silver comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions on October 9.

img_20-1.jpg

Spoons are thought to be Glasgow goldsmith’s only survivors

09 September 2024

A set of six rare Scottish provincial silver trefid spoons dating from c.1686 were not only among the earliest Glasgow-made spoons recorded, but also appeared to be the only extant work by the goldsmith George Luke.

img_33-1.jpg

Five questions with Nate Ivey of DC Silver

09 September 2024

DC Silver is a Washington, DC based e-commerce business specialising in antiques. ATG spoke to its proprietor, Nate Ivey

img_18-1.jpg

Roman bust thought to be an emperor stands out at auction

09 September 2024

Encouraging results of two-day sale in Colchester suggests the traditional quiet period provides good selling opportunities

2659 AR Dawsons Silver Centrepiece 1

An important George III silver candelabra centrepiece lights up Maidenhead saleroom

05 September 2024

Pulling out a suitcase from under a bed during a probate valuation, auctioneer and valuer at Dawsons Nicky Houston was astonished at what she found hidden inside.

img_59-1.jpg

ATG letter: My Exposition Universelle medal is indeed in gold as the marks and weight both indicate

02 September 2024

I was very interested to see your story on the gold medal for the Paris Exposition Universelle 1900 (News, ATG No 2654).

img_25-3.jpg

Wreck of a Spanish galleon proved valuable for some

27 August 2024

A rare James II and Queen Mary of Modena silver medal commemorating a Spanish shipwreck recovered in 1687 sold for four times the top estimate.

img_22-2.jpg

Boxing clever for the Aubreys saleroom debut in Surrey

27 August 2024

The inaugural Aubreys (25% buyer’s premium) live auction was held in the grounds of Loseley Park in Guildford.

2657 AR L&T Trefid Spoons Close Up

Rare set of Glaswegian silver spoons bring strong demand at Lyon & Turnbull

22 August 2024

A remarkable set of six 17th century Scottish provincial silver trefid spoons drew strong competition at an auction in Edinburgh this week.

Archibald Knox Cymric clock

Opportunity Knox: Previously unknown design for Liberty & Co clock emerges in Glasgow auction

19 August 2024

An apparently unique silver and enamel clock designed by Manxman Archibald Knox (1864-1933) for London retailer Liberty & Co surfaced for sale in Scotland last week.

img_5-5.jpg

Silver chalice stolen from Bedfordshire church

22 July 2024

A 1659 original silver chalice worth around £15,000 has been stolen from a church in Sutton, Bedfordshire.

img_15-4.jpg

Novelty lighter sells at 11 times estimate in Glasgow auction

15 July 2024

This table lighter offered by Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) of Glasgow in the Summer Two Day Fine Art & Antiques Auction had marks for the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co, London 1916, making it one of the earliest of its type.

img_4-1.jpg

British silver pieces from renowned Texas collection on offer

15 July 2024

New Orleans dealership MS Rau has acquired 222 pieces of English silver from the collection of Texan businessman Billy Joe ‘Red’ McCombs (1927-2023).

img_13-7.jpg

Heart and sold: Henry VIII spoon impresses at Canterbury auction

15 July 2024

A Henry VIII silver and parcel gilt apostle spoon, stamped to the stem with a distinctive maker’s mark of a heart in a conforming heart and dated London 1532, caused quite a stir when it appeared at Canterbury Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium).

img_15-1.jpg

Storr salts bear similarities to the Pembroke Service

15 July 2024

A striking pair of William IV silver open salts by Paul Storr (London 1835) came for sale at Chorley’s (28.2% buyer’s premium inc VAT) latest biannual sale of Fine Jewellery, Silver, Gold and Watches.

Categories

News