From left to right: a late 19th century centrepiece with trumpet glass vase by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company Ltd, 20in (52cm) high – £340, table centrepiece of the same period, 21in (54cm) high – £320; late Victorian table centrepiece which was considered the most commercial of the three despite, or perhaps because of its relatively small size, 11in (28cm) high – £360. The other two pieces illustrated were a 19th century butterdish stand which failed to sell against an estimate of £80-100 and a Victorian electroplated teacaddy which rated £500 because of its ivory banding.
Success on the plate
Some dealers believe that the market for plated silver has never been the same since the Italians ducked out in the mid 1990s, and while it is true that types such as entrée dishes and tureens have gone off the boil, there is still (always?) demand for candelabra, anything set with mother or pearl or ivory (American interest here) and table centrepieces like the three examples illustrated here which were offered at Bonhams Chester (buyer’s premium 17.5/10 per cent) on November 6.
