How to wow your guests this festive season: style your dinner table with auction finds
01 December 2022 The secret to impressing dinner guests is with an interesting tablescape designed with items from auctions.
A festive table dressed by interior designer Benedict Foley featuring antiques sold at Cheffins Fine Sale in December 2021.
From centre piece candelabras, stand-out salt and pepper sets and a new table and chairs, here are ideas on how to jazz up your table settings for festive fun.
Dinner service
Make sure you have enough plates. This collection of Booths Real Old Willow dinner service incudes tureens, plates, cups and saucers and more. It is estimated at £40-60 at 1818 Auctions timed sale ending on December 11.
Candelabra
This pair of 19th century brass adjustable tripod two-light candelabra with lion paw feet are estimated at £40-60 at Bamfords on December 8-9.
Charger
An Aesthetic Movement art pottery charger by Derby painted with a Pre-Raphaelite maiden with a Leach and Sons Art Pottery Exhibition label. It is estimated at £100-200 at Mallams on December 7-8.
Salt and pepper
A c.1920 silver salt and pepper set marked for Clarence Vanderbilt New York. It is estimated at €50-100 on December 8-9 at Veilinghuis de Ruiter.
Table
It is important to have a large enough table if guests are visiting. This early 19th century fruitwood farm house table is estimated at £1000-1500 at Cheffins on December 7-8. It was previously bought from Denzil Grant Suffolk Fine Arts in 1996.
Chairs
This group of early 19th century light yew and elm stick back armchairs at Cheffins on December 7-8 were previously bought from Reindeer Antiques, Northamptonshire. They are estimated at £2500-3500.
Dinner gong
This c.1890 Victorian brass and copper novelty table top dinner gong is estimated at £30-50 at Bamfords on December 8-9.
Cutlery
It is important to make sure you have enough cutlery when guests visit. This selection of vintage knives and forks, spoons and sugar nips is estimated at £30-50 at 1818 Auctioneers’ timed sale ending on December 11.
Vintage port
Having a nice bottle of port ready for after dinner is a must. This Warre vintage port from 1963 bottled by Grants of St. James's is estimated at £80-100 at Great Western Auctions on December 9-10.
