We found 2466194 price guide item(s) matching your search

Refine your search

Year

Filter by Price Range
  • List
  • Grid
  • 2466194 item(s)
    /page

Lot 11

An 18th century sterling silver sauce boat beaded rim, scrolling handle, raised on three feet, by Francis Crump, London 1756, 309g

Lot 12

A sterling silver and engine turned enamel pocket snuff box, stamped 925 with import marks, maker A J 1930, 122g (2 small area of wear to enamel)

Lot 127

A quantity of glass jugs, including a decorative glass jug with silver plated head and tail styled as a bird, a pair of modern glass decanters with cork and plated tops, and a large whitefriars style ball etc, see images

Lot 13

A sterling silver flower vase of bulbous form with flared rim raised on three feet by Atkin Bros Sheffield 1922, 262g

Lot 16

A sterling silver cedar lined cigarette box with engine turned decoration by A J Zimmerman, Birmingham 1928, 373 g gross

Lot 17

A sterling silver fish server set of pierced design by Francis Higgins II London, 1898, 320g

Lot 18

A pair of sterling silver sauce ladles by Eley Fearn and Chawner, London 1810, 131g

Lot 183

Pair of silver plated plate covers by Mappin and Webb crested and a quantity of silver plate and a Pentax camera

Lot 19

A Georgian silver ladle, by William Eley I and William Fearn, London 1812, 173g

Lot 199

A collection of silver and white metal commemorative coins. To include silver proof examples.

Lot 20

A pair of C19th sterling silver wine bottle coasters with turned wooden bases, marks rubbed and Two sets of six sterling tea spoons, 166g

Lot 200

A collection of silver and white metal commemorative coins to include silver proof examples. PHOTOS TO COME

Lot 22

A sterling silver fish slice and two Georgian desert spoons with later applied fruit and berry design to bowl, 212

Lot 24

A collection of sterling silver tea spoons and a set of four Georgian mustard spoons, 142g AND A collection of sterling silver items to include, mustard, pepperette, vesta, and a small pierced dish silver weight 345g

Lot 26

A sterling silver serving spoon and fork, London 1790, 232g

Lot 27

A small Egyptian silver lidded bowl together with a set of four silver plated dishes and one smaller example

Lot 307

Brown leather small handbag, with silver metal chain strap, Harrods, in good condition, Harrods label and Black leather belt with gold Buckle

Lot 35

A sterling silver and cut glass hip flask by Mappin & Webb Sheffield 1899; A pair of sterling silver mustard pots together with a pair of pepperettes, 100g

Lot 36

A Georgian silver coffee pot of squat bulbous form, by Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard I London, 1820, 472g

Lot 37

Three set of 6 sterling silver tea spoons, 267g

Lot 41

A collection of sterling silver and white metal items to include sugar tongs, pickle fork etc, 170; A sterling silver hand mirror together with 2 silver handled button hooks and small silver footed bowl and one similar unmarked example

Lot 43

Good mixed lot of scrap gold, silver, vintage miscellaneous

Lot 45

An 18ct gold commemorative salver for the Royal Silver wedding, engraved central armorial 1947-1972, 435g. 20cm Diameter, in presentation tooled leather box

Lot 51

A sterling silver three piece tea set with Acanthus leaf decoration by Williams Ltd Birmingham 1901 1075 g approx

Lot 52

Pair of sterling silver mustard pots with blue glass liners and sterling silver spoons 240g

Lot 53

Collection of sterling silver spoons, various dates and makers, 190g

Lot 546

Modern decorative sideboard cupboard, painted in silver colour and with marble top, 133cmLong x 60 D x 80cmH (PLEASE NOTE the photos are for illustrative purposes only from the house. The lot just contains the item as per the actual description here, and not other items like cushions/items surrounding)

Lot 6

A sterling silver condiment set in the Art Deco style, in fitted box, by Edward Barnard and Son Ltd, London 1936, silver weight, 605g

Lot 602

Matching bedroom suite comprising of : Decorative Two door wardrobe, on raised legs with floral swags to pediment, painted in a silver colour, dressing table with mirror over, bedside chest of drawers, and stool

Lot 694

Two 100% sheepskin silver grey rugs, 160 x 60cm

Lot 7

Four sterling silver bangle bracelets all with chased decoration, 65g, and A collection of sterling silver white metal and costume jewellery items

Lot 726

Two pairs of very good quality curtains, expensive high end FORTUNI fabric, pink/silver grey pattern; 310 drop x 240 cm wide; good overall condition and cleared from a clean Manor House

Lot 8

Middle Eastern white metal lidded bowl, with reeded floral decoration and gilt interior, stamped AO900, 16cm High, 575g approx; and Silver Middle Eastern style Prayer Scroll with pierced and raised floral decoration stamped 900, 34cm 403g; and A Middle Eastern style white metal prayer scroll with raised flora and fauna decoration, 30cm, 465grams; and Silver Middle Eastern style Prayer Scroll with chased decoration stamped 925, 24cm approx 190g; and An unmarked white metal Middle Eastern style Prayer Scroll with pierced decoration, 24cm, 197g and A Habis Lebanese silver plated ice bucket with cast handle and chased decoration, 20 x 20 x 20cm

Lot 80

A boxed set of 6 sterling silver tea spoons with apostle finials by Deakin & Francis, Birmingham 1966, 7/5g

Lot 83

A banded agate and sterling silver topped dressing table item, by Sampson Morden Chester 1912.  8cm diameter x 5.3 cm h

Lot 87

A sterling silver oval condiment holder, and an Art Deco style silver sugar, 402g

Lot 88

A collection of sterling silver white metal items to include tea strainer, picture frame, ETC

Lot 89

Three sterling silver cream jugs, early C19th, various makers, dates, 245g

Lot 9

A sterling silver 3 piece tea set of half reeded design by JW Story and W Elliot, London 1812, 1300g approx AND A SIMILAR COFFEE POT

Lot 90

A collection of silver plated/EPNS items to include a swing handled basket, teapot etc

Lot 91

A set of 6 sterling silver dinner forks by Charles Marsh, Dublin 1828 together with a silver tea pot by Eley Chawner London 1829; A set of sterling silver fuirt knives and forks, possibly Matthew Boulton; together with other silver items including a pin dish, letter opener etc, total silver weight approx 1411 g

Lot 92

A large oblong silver plated tray, cast border, chased decoration with loop handles 69 cm x 41 cm, and A collection of silver plated items

Lot 298

In silver, weight: 522 g, measurements: 15 x 9 x 13 cm

Lot 56

An impressive George IV silver meat dish and cover with mazarineRobert Garrard, London, base 1823, the cover and mazarine 1827 Shaped-oval base with gadroon rim, with a matching lift-off shaped double-domed cover, with gadroon band and surmounted above with an ornate cast and chased finial of a lion's head issuing from a ducal coronet, engraved armorial to either side for John William WARD (1781-1833), a moulded lower girdle beneath with matching moulded rim, the removable pierced mazarine resting in the base centred with a matching engraved armorial, the platter beneath also with matching engraved armorials to each side of the border, length 45.2cm, weight excluding finial 158.5oz.Footnotes:The armorial engraving represents the full armorial of John William WARD (1781-1833) of Himley Hall near Wolverhampton Staffordshire, who from 1823-7 was the 4th Viscount Dudley in Worcestershire and Ward in Birmingham and was in 1827 created 1st Earl Dudley. He was the son of William WARD (1750-1823) 3rd Viscount of Dudley and Ward by Julia BOSVILLE (1750-1833) daughter of Godfrey BOSVILLE of Gunthwaite Yorkshire. He was unmarried. Before entering the House of Lords in 1823 John William WARD, politician and statesman served as MP for Downton 1802-3, Worcestershire 1803-6, Petersfield 1806-7, Wareham 1807-12, Ilchester 1812-8 and Bossiney 1819-23.In 1827 Ward was appointed Foreign Secretary under George Canning, a post he held also under Lord Goderich and the Duke of Wellington. Later that year he was created Earl of Dudley.Ward died at Norwood. His earldom and viscountcy became extinct, but the barony passed to his second cousin, William Humble Ward (1781-1835). The bulk of his great fortune went to his heir's son, William Ward (1817-1885), who was created Earl of Dudley on 17 February 1860.The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyAndrew Rainey's life-long passion for collecting silver began at the start of his medical career in Oxford. As a true epicure, his collecting was single minded: entertainment through eating.He became a consultant histopathologist of increasing repute at The Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, and this success was matched by the increasing grandeur of picnic-luncheons and dinners. At these, each piece of Georgian and Regency silver was used exactly as originally intended, and tureen after tureen was purchased to serve ever more elaborate dishes and sauces.Dr Rainey died in May 2022. It is hoped that these treasured items will impart the same sense of joie de vivre to their new owners.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 57

A George IV silver entrée dish and coverJoseph Craddock & William Ker Reid, London 1824 Oval form, the base with gadroon rim, the tall dome cover with fluted lower band, with engraved arms to both sides with motto below 'A DEO LUMEN', surmounted with a cast crest finial modelled as a an antelope's head erased, inside of base also with engraved crest of an antelope's head, length 31.2cm, weight 61oz.Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyThe arms appear to be for the family OGLE of Worthy Park House Hampshire. There is a baronetcy associated with the family which was created in 1816 for the Royal Navy Officer Admiral Sir Chaloner OGLE (1726-1816) who died the same year. In 1761 he married Hester THOMAS (1744-1796) and was succeeded by his son Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles OGLE (1775-1858) 2nd baronet, who in 1802 married Charlotte Margaret GAGE (1773-1814). However, as the arms show no indication of being connected with baronetcy one owner of these arms possibility may be the only surviving younger sibling of the 2nd baronet: James OGLE (1778-1833) who married Elizabeth POULTER (1785-1855).For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 58

A George IV large silver two-handled trayBenjamin Smith, London 1822Shaped-oblong form, the border and handles with shells, anthemions among acanthus leaf scrolls in high relief, with engraved shield armorial to the centre, with crest and motto 'HAUD IMMEMOR', on four cast shell bracket feet embellished with fruiting vines, length 72cm, weight 173oz.Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyThe assumed armorial would appear to be owned by Golding BIRD (1791-1861), who in 1812 married by licence Mary Ann RIX (born 1791) at Downham Norfolk. In 1841 he is living in Finsbury, of independent means, with his wife and a number of his children. His death is recorded in Buckingham. Notably his two eldest sons were physicians, the eldest also Golding BIRD (1814-1854) was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and of some considerable reputation. The arms do appear on the bookplate of his great-grandson Frederic GOLDING-BIRD quartered with the arms of the GOLDING family. This offers the likelihood of the BIRD family and GOLDING family being connected by a marriage before 1791. The GOLDING family arms are fully registered. Either or both families may have Irish ancestry.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 59

A set of four George II cast silver candlesticksJohn Cafe, one London 1745 - two 1746, one with indistinct date letter Rococo form, the knopped baluster form stems and bases with sprays of flowers among shell and scroll ornament, with removable unmarked drip-pans with chased flowers and scrollsunderside of bases with engraved scratch weights '34=7', '34=10', '34=11', '34=11' height 26.5cm, weight excluding drip-pans 124.5oz. (4)Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 61

A pair of George III Royal silver sauceboatsWilliam Fountain, London 1806, also engraved 'EDC' (Ernest Duke of Cumberland) and 'EAFs' (Ernesti Augusti Fideikommissum), one engraved 'No. 5'Oval bellied form, the gadroon rims embellished with large shell motifs, the front engraved with the arms of Ernest Augustus I, Duke of Cumberland, the back curving upwards to join the leaf-capped scroll handles, on cast feet, with scrolls among the shell and gadroon borders, underside also engraved with scratch weight numbers '20'14' and '20'18', length 21cm, weight 41oz. (2)Footnotes:ProvenanceErnest Augustus, 1st Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover (r. 1837-1851).George V, King of Hanover (1819–1878).Ernest Augustus II, Crown Prince of Hanover (1845–1923).With Glückselig in 1924.With Crichton Brothers of London in 1924.Acquired by the present owner in the 1960s.Sold, these rooms 18th December 2020 lot 103.The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J Rainey.Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and later King of Hanover, was the fifth son of George III. On the death of his brother William IV Queen Victoria ascended the throne of Great Britain, but as a woman she was prevented from doing so in the Kingdom of Hanover. Consequently, Ernest Augustus became King of Hanover in 1837 and reined until his death in 1851.A fideicommissum is a bequest whereby the recipient would in turn be expected to bequeath that same bequest to another person at a later stage. It was Ernest Augustus' intention that all silver in his fideicommissum would be passed down in a direct line of succession for 'Erhaltung des Glanzes Unserer Krone' (Maintaining the shine of our Crown). The silver in question (not only his own but also pieces belonging to his sister Auguste Sophie (1768-1840) and his wife Friederica (1778-1841) was engraved 'EAF' in 1855.In 1851 the silver passed to his son George Frederick, King of Hanover. When he was deposed during the Seven Weeks War in 1866 the family left for Austria. In 1923, following the death of George Frederik's son, part of the Hanover silver was sold to the Viennese dealer Glückselig, who in turn sold much of it to Crichton Brothers in London. The silver generated such interest that Crichton Brother staged an exhibition of the silver in 1924. The catalogue produced for the occasion includes the present lot which were displayed in Case No. 10 and described as '6 Sauce Boats...Maker, William Fountain, 1806. Engraved Arms of the Duke of Cumberland'.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 62

Twelve George III silver dishesSebastian & James Crespell, five London 1766, six London 1767 one WS, possibly William Sharp, London 1819 Shaped-circular with gadroon rims, the raised borders with engraved armorial. The underside of each with the following engraved numbers and scratch weightsthose with 1766 date letterNo 61 19'17No 62 20'18No 68 19'9No 69 19'19No 72 19'13those with 1767 date letterNo 73 18'11No 74 18'9No 75 18'10No 76 18'4No 77 18'18No 78 18'11 diameter 24cm, weight 212.5oz. (12)Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyThis is the complete armorial of William CRAVEN (1705-1769) 5th Baron Craven of Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire. In 1749 he married Jane BERKELEY (1715-1791) daughter of Revd. Rowland BERKELEY of Cotheridge, Worcestershire. They had no issue. William CRAVEN was the son of John CRAVEN of Whitley, Coventry, Warwickshire and succeeded as 5th Baron his cousin Fulwar CRAVEN (died 1764) 4th Baron. He was MP for Warwickshire 1746-1764.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 63

A set of five William IV silver plattersWilliam Kerr Reid, London 1833 Of five graduated sizes, of shaped-oval form with gadroon rims, the border of each engraved with two crests with mottos;the first crest, issuing from a mural crown proper a demi horse rampant argent, with motto FIDELIS ET SUAVIS, for the EMERY family, as owners of the original arms, that family were of Little Beddow, Essexthe second crest, a greyhound's head erased proper, with motto PASSANT CRESSANT EN HONEUR, for the WALKER family, of Leicestershire and/or Warwickshire, a connection between the two crests has not been found, length 54.5cm, 48.5cm, 43cm, 38.5cm and 33cm, weight 245oz. (5)Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 64

A set of twelve George III silver platesWilliam Stroud, London 1807Shaped-circular, the gadroon rims interspersed with leaf motifs, engraved armorial to the raised welled borders, diameter 25.5cm, weight 247oz. (12)Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyWith the engraved arms, supporters, crest and motto 'CAVENDO TUTUS' of the CAVENDISH family. Possibly for George Augustus Henry CAVENDISH (1754-1834) later 1st Earl of Burlington. Son of William CAVENDISH (1748-1811) 5th Duke of Devonshire.George Augustus Henry CAVENDISH who in 1782 had married Lady Elizabeth COMPTON daughter and heiress of Charles COMPTON 7th Earl of Northampton. Notably George Augustus Henry CAVENDISH was an MP at Knaresborough 1775-80, for Derby 1781-97 and Derbyshire 1797-1831 and was ennobled in 1831 as Baron Cavendish of Keighley and 1st Earl Burlington.Most notably was that the 1st Earl lived at Burlington House and was responsible for the building of the Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly. In 1815, Lord Burlington bought Burlington House in Piccadilly from his nephew, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. With the architect Samuel Ware, he made a number of significant modifications to the house, including the building of Burlington Arcade along the west side. He died aged 80 at Burlington House in 1834.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 65

A William IV silver two-handled tureen and cover with linerWilliam Kerr Reid, London 1837, with William IV duty markShaped-oval form, with polished lobed sides, Shell and leaf scroll border, the leaf-embellished handles with a stippled surface, on four acanthus scroll feet capped with a floral embellishment, the lift-off cover of lobed dome form, surmounted with acanthus leaf bracket handle, embellished with fruits, with removable liner, length handle to handle 42cm, weight 157oz.Footnotes:ProvenanceFrom The Silver Collection of Dr Andrew J RaineyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 66

A William IV silver two-handled tureen and coverWilliam Kerr Reid, London 1835 Shaped-oval bellied form with acanthus scroll border, handles and feet, with polished and stippled ground, both sides with engraved armorial and motto below 'IN DEO EST MIHI OMNIS FIDES', lift-off shaped-dome cover chased with a foliate band and centred with a removable acanthus loop handle, with Old Sheffield plate liner, length handle to handle 43.5cm, weight of silver 126.5oz.Footnotes:Property of a ladyThese are the arms associated with a member of the PALMER family, who married an heiress who arms are indicated on the escutcheon, unidentified. The arms were granted to the PALMER family of Howlets, Kent in 1586. The holder of the arms circa 1900 was Frederick Freke PALMER (1862-1932) and in turn his parents were Henry Spencer PALMER (1838-1893) and Mary Jane Pearson WRIGHT (1847-1934), his grandparents John Freke PALMER (1794-1860) and Jane JAMES (1804-38) and his great-grandparents Samuel PALMER (born 1770) and Mary Antonia SPENCER (1766-1843). It is expected that the owner of the arms is likely to be the eldest son of Samuel PALMER above, who would have reached maturity at the time of assay in 1835. The family were for some time living in India.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 68

A George III silver salverThomas Hannam & John Crouch II, London 1803 Shaped-circular form, the reeded border embellished with acanthus leaves and scrolls, centred with the engraved arms and crest as presented, appear to be for the WALDEGRAVE family, on four cast bracket feet, diameter 48cm, weight 95oz.Footnotes:Property of a ladyThe arms and crest as presented appear to be for the WALDEGRAVE family who in 1800 were created barons of Radstock.At the time of assay 1803, the arms would have been the property of William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock, GCB (9 July 1753 – 20 August 1825) earlier Royal Naval Admiral in the Royal Navy and Governor of Newfoundland.He was the second son of John WALDEGRAVE (1718-1784) 3rd Earl Waldegrave by Elizabeth GOWER daughter of the 1st Earl Gower. In 1785 he married Cornelia JACOBA van LENNEP (1753-1839), daughter of the Dutch poet and novelist Jacob van LENNEP. The couple had three sons and six daughters. His wife Cornelia was Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte, and outlived her husband by 14 years.After an education at Eton Waldegrave entered the navy in May 1766 aged 13. Waldegrave rose rapidly through the ranks, receiving his own command, as commander of the sloop HMS Zephyr on 23 June 1775. He continued a rapid promotion, to rear-admiral 4 July 1794, vice-admiral on 1 June 1795 and was appointed to a position in the Mediterranean fleet. On 14 February 1797 he was third-in-command at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent fighting alongside Commodore Horatio Nelson. In the proliferation of honours that followed the battle he was offered a baronetcy. Waldegrave declined the offer because this was subordinate to his rank as a son of an Earl.Waldegrave was then appointed commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, on 16 May 1797 as a reward for his efforts at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent.Waldegrave finished his term as governor in 1800 and was created an Irish peer as Baron Radstock, of Castletown in the Queen's County. In 1802, upon his retirement, Waldegrave was promoted to full Admiral. He was Admiral of the Blue 1802, the White 1805 and the Red 1810. He was an officiate at Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson s funeral on 9 January 1806.In 1815 he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB). He died of apoplexy at his residence in Portland Place on 20 August 1825, and he was interred at his family's vault at Navestock Church, Essex.During his time in Newfoundland he did much for the pastoral care of the inhabitants, and he carried on his good works, almost zealously, into his later years. He enjoyed fine art, and as well as building up a superb collection that was valued at 51,000 guineas and included Van Dyke portraits of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria, he also patronised young artists.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 69

A good large Victorian silver salver / trayGeorge & John Cowie, London 1838 Shaped-circular form, the heavy cast raised border with young and bearded male masks, also lion masks with claws reaching out, all emerging from a profuse border of flowers in high relief and acanthus scrolls, with inner scroll band, the central recess chased with naturalistic flowers and curling leaves around a vacant centre, the whole on four cast shell and acanthus bracket feet, diameter 61cm, weight 238.5oz.Footnotes:Property of a ladyFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 70

A pair of William III cast silver candlesticksprobably Benjamin Braford, London 1695 Knopped baluster form with broad knops, spool shaped nozzles, welled shaped-square bases with canted corners, height 15cm, weight 23.8oz. (2)Footnotes:Property of a private collectorThe maker's mark appears to be 'BB, crescent below, in shaped device', for the maker's mark see David M Mitchell, Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London, The Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 2017, pages 241-242. Also Jackson's Silver & Gold Marks, published 1989, 1996 edition, page 141 [BB, crescent below]For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 79

A Victorian silver-gilt Askos jugPaul Storr, London 1838, stamped 'PAUL STORR & JOHN MORTIMER 397' Of classical Greek askos form, the whole gilded, featuring a flaring curved pouring lip and polished gilt interior, a leaf-capped trifurcated scrolling handle with foliage emerging from a winged figure to the base, to the upper rim a pair of applied realistically cast recumbent goats flanking the handle, the body with textured matted ground, in contrast to the polished gold trim, all on a plain oval ring foot, height 14cm, weight 12.5oz.Footnotes:Property of a private collectorFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 81

GERALD BENNEY: a rare pair of silver-gilt and enamelled pitchersLondon 1973, the bases with master enamellers mark AAE in an oval punch, for Alan Alfred Evans, stamped GERALD BENNEY LONDON,Translucent red enamelled hinged domed covers over a fine textured ground, with bodies with bark effect textured sides of broad baluster form, with cream enamelled loop handles, each with an engraved crest to the front with the head of St John the Baptist couped distilling drops of blood within a strap and buckle, initialled by the hinge mount script 'M L', height 25.5cm, weight total 89oz. (2)Footnotes:ProvenanceSold Bonhams 12th October 2004, lot 128.Gerald Benney decided that his home at Beenham House in Berkshire was the place to develop the use of enamels. The first steps were to travel to Zurich to find an enameller who worked for Burch Korrodi. By chance he came across the Norwegian Berger Bergensen who had worked for the House of Bolin as well as Burch. Bergensen was persuaded to come to Beenham House and taught the Benney workforce all he knew about enamelling. Alan Evans and Robert Winter became notable master enamellers for Benney.It took several years to master the craft. He refined and mastered this art, enamelling larger surface areas than Fabergé.ADRIAN GERALD SALLIS BENNEY CBE RDI (1930 – 2008)Gerald Benney was one of the most outstanding goldsmiths of the 20th century, with works being continuously produced for over fifty years, from private commissions to mass production.Born in Hull, Yorkshire in 1930. His mother Aileen was a talented silversmith and his father, Ernest, was Principal of Brighton College of Art. It was at Brighton College of Art between 1946-1948 that he trained as a silversmith under Dunstan Pruden. After two years national service with the Royal Army Service Corps he went to the Royal College of Art under Professor Robert Goodden. In his first year he was awarded a Prince of Wales scholarship.As well as designs in silver, in his early years Benney also used other material to design a range of products including clocks, lamps and prams.Benney found his first workshop at Suffolk House, Whitfield Place, off the Tottenham Court Road in London during his last term at the RCA. It was at the RCA that Benney met fellow silversmiths David Mellor and Robert Welch; between them they were to revolutionise post war silver design. At this time he also met the jeweller, John Donald.Early in his career Benney discovered, by accident, the distinctive surface texturing of silver that was to become his signature. He inadvertently used a hammer with a damaged head while producing a cup, and liked the effect. This surface texturing soon became known as 'Benney Bark Finish'. The finish was widely imitated and dominated contemporary silver design for almost two decades. Its success was, not only, for its new contemporary look but also for the practical reasons, that it almost eliminated tarnish and fingerprints.In 1963, Benney moved to Beenham House near Reading. It was here that he decided to develop the use of enamels. Starting in 1968 he revived the almost-lost art of enamelling, he went on to be one of the world's foremost modern enamellers. In 1969, he moved his London studio to Falcon Wharf, Bankside where he eventually employed 22 people.In 1973 Benney moved his workshop to warehouses in Bear Lane, Southwark. Also in this year Goldsmith's Hall held a major retrospective of his work.In 1974 he received his first Royal Warrant granted by The Queen, followed by another in 1975 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. In 1980 a fourth Royal Warrant was granted from HRH The Prince of Wales. Becoming the first craftsman to hold four Royal Warrants simultaneously.Benney's work can be seen in many collections worldwide, including those of the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Goldsmiths' Company.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ARAR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 87

A French gilt bronze figural candlestickIn the manner of Corneille Van Cleve (French, 1646-1732), probably early 18th century The Vitruvian scroll banded and artichoke leaf cast cylindrical campana nozzle above a lotus and fluted shallow swept collar, raised on a figural support cast as a male Bacchanalian figure seated on a classical vase, supporting a smaller putto, the ribbon tied moulded socle below the vase, on a circular spreading base with spiral shankered decoration within a foliate cast outer border, the collar drilled for electricity, 40.7cm high overallFootnotes:The drawings for the design of the offered candlestick and a female companion candlestick were once originally attributed to Charles Le Brun (French, 1619-1690) but later attributed to be Van Clevé. These designs were first executed by Clevé's brother-in-law, the goldsmith Nicolas de Launay in 1702 in silver-gilt.For a discussion on a comparable pair of candlesticks in the Wallace Collection, see P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture, Vo. II, London, 1996, figs. 30-31, nos. 232-233.For comparable pair of Régence candlesticks see Christies, Hubert de Givenchy - Collectionneur: Chefs-d'oeuvre, 14 June 2022, lot 38.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 90

Attributed to Francois Villemsens (French, fl. mid 19th century): An impressive pair of First Universal 'Great Exhibition' gilt bronze Neptune ewersCirca 1851Each with mythological aquatic figural decoration, the elaborate rocaille cast urn bodies with intertwined sea serpent high scrolling handles and eagle pouring lips, the swept upper bodies cast with the sea gods drawn by twin pairs of hippocampi, trumpeting mermaids and mermen, shells and acanthus leaves, above foliate girdles applied with Neptune masks, dolphins and alternating shells and starfish, each raised on mermen and mermaid tripod supports, above rockwork tripartite platform footed bases, 56.5cm high (2)Footnotes:The model of the offered ewers is almost identical to a vase exhibited by the bronzier François Villemsens at the first Universal Exhibition known as the Great Exhibition, held in London in 1851. In the Art Journal illustrated catalogue the entry notes for his work commented: 'the three vases are from the establishment of M. Villemsens of Paris, worker in bronze, and manufacturer of church ornaments; the latter branch of business especially, being largely carried on by this house. During our visit to Paris towards the close of the past year, we saw in his extensive showrooms a vast variety of objects, exhibiting more or less taste in composition, and ingenuity of workmanship; these were principally executed in bronze and in brass, and were adapted as well for the embellishment of the private dwelling as for purposes of ecclesiastical use and decoration - statues, vases, chandeliers, candelabra, delicate rail-work, etc. The three bronze vases and dishes selected from the contributions of this firm are distinguished by beauty of outline and elaborate ornament, approaching very closely to the best antiques'.Likely descended from a family of goldsmiths in the 18th century, François Villemsens established his workshop in the Marais, first at 18 rue Michel Le Comte, then at 71 rue du Temple. In 1834, he exhibited a facsimile of the armour of Francis I, which was hailed by the Archives du Commerce et de l'Industrie (Paris, 1834, p. 157). By 1835, he entered the Réunion des Fabricants de Bronze, heir to the former corporation of foundrymen, and regularly participated in the Expositions des Produits de l'Industrie Française. Winning a silver medal at the Exhibition of 1839, Villemsens joined the 'Bronze of Art and Furnishings' category alongside Thomire & Cie and Victor Paillard before winning a further silver medal at the last Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie Française in 1849. With these successes he approached the Universal Exhibition in London in 1851 where he won a new medal by submitting the vases mentioned above, including the Neptune vase. The success led him to New York where he participated in the Universal Exhibition of 1853 and appeared in the official catalogue of the New York exhibition of the industry of all nations, p. 154, at No. 15 as 'Bronze candelabras, groups, lamps, etc. Villemsens & Co, manu. 71 rue de Temple, Paris'... He was again a medallist at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855 and by 1863 Villemsens had offered to finance the award of a carving prize that would be awarded each year by the Réunion des Fabricants de Bronze. After participating in the Universal Exhibition of 1867 where he presented a cast door from the Baptistery of Florence, he finally retired from business.From the second quarter of the 19th century onwards sculptors, bronziers and goldsmiths particularly appreciated the shape of the ewer to express ornamentation in all its manifestations, giving a free rein to exuberance and eclecticism. Renaissance art was one of their main sources of inspiration, and in particular Mannerism, utilising mythological themes and motifs as illustrated by the present lot. The sculptor Adolphe-Victor Geoffroy-Dechaume and the goldsmith Charles Wagner, who were contemporaries of Villemsens, similarly produced a ewer on the theme of Ondine in 1844, which is reproduced in the Maciet Albums. Characteristically the decoration to this piece does not leave a single part of the vessel plain. Although renowned for the execution of religious ornaments, Villemsens did not limit himself to this field and contributed to renewing the genre of decorative bronzes for a secular and wealthy clientele during the mid 19th century. For a comparable identical pair of vases see Sotheby's Paris, Robert de Balkany, Rue de Varenne, Paris – Evening sale, 20th September, lot 51Related LiteratureD. Alcouffe, A. Dion-Tenenbaum and P. Ennès, Un âge d'or des arts décoratifs 1814-1848, Paris, 1991, op. cit., p. 311, fig. 162a.E. Voirot, Création le multiple : la Réunion des fabricants de bronze (1839-1870), phD thesis, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre - La Défense, 2014This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * TP* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.TP Lot will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Loading...Loading...
  • 2466194 item(s)
    /page

Recently Viewed Lots