Silver & Silver-plated items

Barkentin and Krall chalice

Barkentin and Krall chalice - £27,500 at JS Auctions.

When it comes to antique silverware, the size and weight of objects does not always determine value. Grand works by the likes of London-based Huguenot Paul de Lamerie or the Germain family in Paris have acquired huge status and value, while small objects such as nutmeg graters, early spoons or vesta cases can command high sums as they have a strong specialist collecting base.

The system of silver hallmarks serves as a quality control, giving an official stamp from showing the metal is of requisite purity, but the marks (or punches) also reveal the year, the place of origin and the identity of the maker, providing pieces of silverware with their own stamped passport of information.


Declaration and seal

Ivory seal deemed to be of ‘outstanding’ value comes to Cirencester auction

02 October 2023

The sale at Moore Allen & Innocent on October 11-12 includes a series of personal items relating to William Duke of Clarence, later William IV (1765-1837).

Maud Joachim medal

Glasgow museum makes fundraising plea to buy Suffragette hunger strike medal

28 September 2023

Glasgow Women’s Library is fundraising to bid at auction for a medal marking the first Suffragette hunger strike in Scotland.

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Dealer news in brief including more objects on offer at the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair

25 September 2023

A roundup of news and events from around the trade

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Impressive Storr silver from Hugh Barclay collection emerges

18 September 2023

On September 29 Cottone of Geneseo, New York, will offer the collection of lawyer Hugh Barclay (1932-2021), a former 11-term New York State Senator and US Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador.

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Butcher Cumberland of Culloden fame celebrated

18 September 2023

Among the highlights of The Premier Sale at St James’s Auctions on September 27 is this Battle of Culloden gold commemorative medal.

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5 Questions with dealer Jane Burgett of Dansk Silver

11 September 2023

Jane Burgett of Dansk Silver is an exhibitor at The Northern Antiques Fair.

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Silver groups ride into salerooms

04 September 2023

Three equestrian silver groups made by different London firms over the space of a century took centre stage in three separate sales in July.

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Snuff bottle takes 31 times low estimate

21 August 2023

A recent Devin Moisan (25% buyer’s premium) sale was topped by a 1974 Chinese snuff bottle decorated by Wang-Hsi (Xisan).

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Plaquette pays tribute to – or mocks – speaker Lenthall

14 August 2023

William Lenthall (1591-1662) was chosen as Speaker of the Houses of Commons at the beginning of the Long Parliament in 1640.

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Georgian tea silver warms up the bidding

14 August 2023

While a few examples survive from the 17th and the very early 18th century, teacups and saucers are a rare form in Georgian silver.

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Gallantry medal was awarded to policeman who tackled a pair of murderers

07 August 2023

A Queen’s Gallantry Medal in its case of issue awarded to a police constable who helped to catch two violent escaped prisoners sold for £2400 at auction.

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Bidders cotton on to Egyptian medals appeal

07 August 2023

The esteem in which British botanist William Lawrence Balls (1882-1960) was held is obvious from lots offered at Norfolk auction house Keys (25% buyer’s premium) on July 26-28.

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Collector Interview: ‘It is a bit of a thrill to commission a piece’

24 July 2023

Gordon Hamme, 65, is the retired co-founder of jewellery trade supplier Exchange Findings and the Festival of Silver, previously known as British Silver Week, which staged exhibitions promoting silversmithing.

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ATG letter: That spoon was probably adapted for a disability

24 July 2023

I write in response to the letter from Andrew Morris (ATG No 2601) endeavouring to identify the use of the pivoting spoon.

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A sip that gave magical power

24 July 2023

This form of drinking vessel, with handles and lobed edges to the top of the bowl, would have been passed around the table.

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Art Deco: Cocktails shake up the Jazz Age

17 July 2023

Partying through Prohibition, cocktail shakers sum up the spirit of Art Deco

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Epitome of Art Deco that sailed into oblivion

17 July 2023

The SS Normandie was both the apogee and the nadir of the Art Deco movement.

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Collector Interview: The very best of the vesta case world

17 July 2023

Businessman Nigel Ross runs a group of commercial property investment companies and divides his time between homes in England and Florida with business trips to New Zealand and elsewhere.

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Royal Worcester by renowned designer George Owen doubles up at auction

10 July 2023

Classic examples of distinctive porcelain take four-figure sums in Gloucestershire

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ATG LETTER: Spoon bowls over the trade

10 July 2023

I wonder if any readers can help identify the purpose of a most unusual silver spoon in my possession.

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