Such volume of goods was met with a fulsome response from collectors, and this was especially true of this group of four baluster measuring vessels. Shown from left to right, the mid-18th century pint measure with double volute thumbpiece and rather polished appearance rated £380; the mid-18th century quart measure with double volute thumbpiece, 8in (20cm) high, took £500; the early 18th century half-pint bud thumbpiece baluster of the same period, 51/2in (14cm) high, rated £500, and the early 18th century measure, far right was a rarity being a half-gallon size – gallon measures of this period being more common. The unmarked vessel, 11in (28cm) high, was contested to a double-estimate £2500 by collectors.
Phillips, Chester, May 4
Number of lots offered: 542
Number of lots sold: 82 per cent
Sale total: £464,189
Buyer’s premium: 15/10 per cent
Full measure for pewter collectors
Pewter is seldom seen in large quantities these days but Phillips’ Chester May 4 sale turned the clock back to the ’70s with an array of more than 100 lots.
