The remarkable McKenzie collection - in total more than 4000 vestas - was stored in 38 cardboard boxes when first seen by specialist Alex Butcher two years ago.
The first tranche of 2700 boxes was sold in January 2017, shortly before Patricia McKenzie died.
The 1300 boxes offered in 400 lots this month, represent an equally varied selection including many of the popular silver and enamel boxes, examples in gold and other figural models in brass, tin, porcelain and glass. One of a number of boxes from the ‘Naughty Nineties’ of the 1890s is a rare nickel plated box with a spring-loaded cover powering a concealed three-colour gilt metal erotic automaton. It is estimated at £1000-1500.
The McKenzie sale is one of two private collections that will be offered by Lawrences’ silver department across two days. A mixed owner sale of 550 lots on January 16 will be followed by a private collection of silver snuff, tobacco and other small boxes assembled since the turn of the century.
This comprises around 125 single lots ranging in date from the reign of Charles II to Queen Victoria with estimates from £100-£10,000. In addition to a version of the well-known Nelson ‘England Expects’ vinaigrette and Irish Freedom boxes is a rare Scottish provincial snuff mull by Hugh Ross of Tain, c.1750 that is pitched at £10,000-12,000.
