They had sold at Christie's for what was then a massive and record price of £4200 (then the price of a three bedroom house) - underlining both the popularity of such things 30 years ago but also the scarcity of Giles-decorated glass of this type.
It is not unusual for an auctioneer to receive enquiries from members of the public who have seen items 'identical' to theirs in the media, but this time Mr Bromell was pleased to confirm that the decanter entered for sale on April 23 was indeed from the same celebrated workshop. The stopper was damaged, but the important gilding was still fresh. It sold to one of six London telephone bidders at £13,000 (estimate £1000-1500).
Giles factor sends decanter to £13,000
Auctioneer Richard Bromell of Charterhouse Auctions (15% buyer’s premium), Sherborne had listened with reserved interest to a client who described a gilt blue glass decanter in his possession “almost identical” to a pair catalogued as in the manner of James Giles c.1770 that had featured in a 1968 edition of Country Life.