The highlight of Bellmans’ latest three-day sale at Wisborough Green, West Sussex was an impressive set of three George II tortoiseshell and silver tea caddies in a fitted silver-mounted tortoiseshell case.
Opening the hinged cover (the original key
had survived) revealed apertures for cutlery (now missing) plus
three other vessels: a pair of caddies for green and black tea and
a central box for mixing. All are engraved with monograms and
armorials, including the Lyall cockerel crest of John Lyall who
emigrated to Barbados c.1800.
However, the unmarked suite was
stylistically a generation or more earlier, perhaps c.1755.
Privately consigned, it measured 10in (25cm)
across and came with an estimate of £1500-2000 at the sale on
August 1-3.
It sold to London specialist Koopman Rare
Art at £17,000.
The buyer's premium was 20%.
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