AUCTION HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS

SILVER

David Elstob of Elstob & Elstob on some of the splendid silverware that has gone under the hammer at the Ripon-based auctioneers

A RUSSIAN SILVER AND ENAMEL KOVSH, EARLY 1900S. SOLD FOR £5,000. “A kovsh is a traditional Russian drinking-vessel-cum-ladle. Originally kovshs were used to serve mead but by the 17th century they had become primarily ornamental items rather than practical ones. This particular piece bears a Moscow ‘second Kokoshnik’ mark, which means it was made sometime between 1908 and 1926. The unusual looped handle and organic design reflect the Art Nouveau style of the time. The enamel was in very good condition – enamel is easy to damage but difficult to repair – which is one of the reasons it did so well at auction.”

A SILVER NAPKIN RING BY CRISFORD & NORRIS, 1913. SOLD FOR £160. “Crisford & Norris were Birmingham makers who created a wide range of novelty silver items, and this napkin ring in the form of a duck with red glass eyes is a nicely made, fun item at an affordable price. “Novelty items of table silver in the form of animals and birds were popular in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, and they are equally popular today, both with collectors and with buyers in search of unusual christening presents.”

A SILVER CHINESE OPIUM PIPE, CIRCA 1900. SOLD FOR £200. “This unusual little item, just short of 30cm high, is decorated with flowers, birds and foliage on one side, and a figure fishing on the other. It was most likely made for export, and the fact that the circular hinged cover is engraved ‘Mr S H Hollamby’ suggests that it was probably a gift – a curio rather than something actually intended for smoking opium! A very collectable little piece.”

A PAIR OF SILVER NOVELTY PEPPERETTES, 1907. SOLD FOR £450. “These enamelled silver pepperettes in the form of dice were made by a well-known Edinburgh firm of jewellers, Hamilton & Inches. They’re the kind of thing that you can still use today, and that would make a real talking point at the dinner table.”

A SET OF TWELVE SILVER HUNT BUTTONS BY JOHN ROBINS, CIRCA 1800. SOLD FOR £700. “I really liked this lot. Complete sets like this one don’t come up very often: a dozen silver hunt buttons, each engraved with a fox mask, nicely presented in a smart red leather case.”

A VICTORIAN SILVER DINNER PLATE, BY WILLIAM KER REID, 1848. SOLD FOR £500.

“What makes this silver plate interesting is the fact that it’s engraved with the crests of Fitzwilliam and Wentworth – quite likely those of William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, who succeeded his father as 6th Earl Fitzwilliam in 1857. The family seat of the Earls of Fitzwilliam was at Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham. Without the family connection this attractive but relatively plain plate would probably have fetched no more than £200 to £300.”

A PART-GILT SILVER COMMEMORATIVE PORRINGER BY STUART DEVLIN, 1982. SOLD FOR £300. “This porringer, engraved underneath with an inscription commemorating the christening in 1982 of HRH Prince William, was made by Stuart Devlin, one the most important names in 20th century silversmithing. “Devlin was born in Australia and opened a workshop in London in 1965. His work is very sculptural with a fresh contemporary look, and is keenly collected. This piece, with its elaborate gilt lilies and lily pads, is typical of his attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship.”

A VICTORIAN SILVER CREAM JUG BY WILLIAM EATON, 1837. SOLD FOR £650.

“This is a wonderfully sculptural jug made in the form of an ‘askos’ – an ancient Greek pottery vessel – by a very good London maker. “The elaborate handle and the two beautifully modelled goats sitting on the rim add to the charm of what is already a very appealing shape. Old pieces of silver like this one often have a nice patina and a lovely soft feel – providing they haven’t been over-cleaned!”

For more information about Elstob & Elstob Auctioneers, or to arrange a valuation, visit elstobandelstob.co.uk or call 01765 699200.