Once again, decorative pieces proved most successful among the silver and plate with an overall selling rate, in what was a strong section, of 86 per cent.
From a private source came a Cross cylindrical leather cased travelling drinks set which appealed to the pragmatic.
Fitted to the interior with three bowed hip flasks and a cocktail shaker containing four Cross beakers the set which in "practically mint" condition went way above its £100-150 estimate from a London dealer.
Cast as a riding boot were a pepperette and mustard which were part of an Elkingtons plate cruet on an inscribed horseshoe shaped frame measuring 4in (9cm) in diameter.
Also in the equestrian influenced set were a flask-shaped condiment and spoon and a salt modelled as a riding hat together with two spoons with handles modelled as crops.
The set more than trebled its top estimate to bring £260.
Elkingtons saw further success in the shape of a late 19th century foliate cast six-branch candelabrum.
With a central acanthus leaf capped spiral twist column topped by detachable sconces modelled as flower heads and foliate scrolled arms, the highly decorative 2ft 41/2in (72cm) high took an above-estimate £700.
A single vendor collection of some 50 money boxes attracted significant interest with only two failing to get away.
Rather conservatively estimated at £25-35 a castiron Eiffel Tower Bank money box was the top
seller.
Standing at 9in (22cm) high and showing traces of painted decoration it went to a Lancashire collector at £490.
The same buyer took the next highest earner a cast iron Tower Bank example offered together with a church-shaped money box for £420.
Amongst the furniture French Louis XV style rosewood display cabinet had strong decorative merits.
Consigned by a local private client the central section of the cabinet was decorated with bombé outline with a large inset lacquer panel painted with a Watteauesque pastoral scene.
Flanked by twin glazed sections of curved serpentine outline, the cabinet was fitted with ormolu mounts and at 5ft 11in by 4ft 6in (1.80m x 1.38m) and it brought the top estimate £3000 from a London dealer.
Wintertons, Lichfield,
21-22 March,
Buyer's premium:
15 per cent
Bidders reach for theirphones to beat the spring snow
Heavy snow across Staffordshire on the morning of this 800-lot dispersal did not deter buyers, with the auctioneers noticing a marked increase in the usual number of phone bids.
