SILVER & OBJECTS OF VERTU

from Woolley & Wallis Sale News | Autumn/Winter 2023

HORATIO’S GARDEN

Including A Large Private Collection And The Wood Hall Collection Of Omar Ramsden

The extensive private collection is formed of approximately three hundred lots of collectable gold, silver and old Sheffield plate. Acquired between the mid 1980s to around 2020, the majority of the items were purchased at auctions held in the UK and America. Areas of focus include tea-related objects, snuff boxes and vinaigrettes. Estimates range from £100–2,000.

The Wood Hall Collection of Omar Ramsden was established over a number of years and features twenty-two lots of some of Ramsden’s finest work. Five lots were purchased from the Campbell Collection (Christie’s, 2005), which is considered one of the most important sales of Ramsden that has come up for auction. Also included are pieces made in collaboration with Alwyn Carr, a partnership which lasted until Carr’s commission into the Royal Army Corps in 1915.

Highlights of the collection include the Poulton silver and enamel casket, 1921/22, estimate £15,000–20,000, the Stella Maris silver and enamel plaque, 1922, estimate £10,000–15,000, and the Garden of Hesperides fruit stand, 1938, estimate £5,000–7,000.

The three-day sale also includes a private collection of early spoons, led by a rare late 16th century Barnstaple Wrythen Knop spoon, by J. Parnell, circa 1580, estimate £5,000–7,000, and an Edward IV silver Diamond-point spoon, London circa 1470, estimate £6,000–8,000.