One such at the Lewes sale was the vinaigrette, top right, by Nathaniel Mills, Birmingham 1842, engraved with a view of St Paul’s Cathedral.
It was given a fairly tempting estimate of up to £200 but made much more. ”I was expecting quite a lot of interest but not as much as transpired,’ said Mr Dean. “It’s not a castletop after all, just an engraving.“
What happened was that two collectors seemed determined to have the box and one of them finally did so with a silver section-leading bid of £1900.
It was also a matter of a small piece standing out among a huge offering at the 1600-lot sale held at Aylsham by Keys (10% buyer’s premium) on May 11 and 12.
This was the fine early/mid 19th century Continental gold snuff box, bottom right. Engraved with flowers and scrolls to all sides and with a central cartouche of a cherub on a swing on the lid, the 3 by 2in (7.5 x 5cm) box was stamped to one edge Konika. Complete with its red leather fitted case, the box sold at £2180.
Fine prices come in two little boxes
AT Gorringes’ (15% buyer's premium) April 27-29 sale, specialist Aaron Dean was satisfied with the reaction to some 200 lots of silver but, with the market for routine tea services and so on remaining fairly moribund, it is the smaller collectables which catch the eye.
