Silver selection: Collectable pieces coming up at auction that can also still be used today
05 January 2022 One of the great things about silver is the range of forms into which it can be worked and the different types of decoration applied.
A four-piece late-Victorian silver tea and coffee set – estimated at £500-700 at Woolley & Wallis.
Items can have great visual appeal but, as interesting pieces often made with great craftsmanship and with a history behind them too, they can also be highly collectable. Collectors’ interest often relates to the item type, maker, region, style or design. You can read more about this area in our guides to silver and silver novelty items. We’ve also prepared a separate guide on silver hallmarks which can be helpful especially if you are new to the subject.
Some people also look for silver items at auction in order to use them today. If you’re looking for functional pieces, you’ll find plenty here too as large amounts of silver appear at auctions regularly on thesaleroom.com.
For example, the Silver & Objects of Vertu sale at Woolley & Wallis on January 25-26 comprises no fewer than 954 lots.
Here’s five pieces that caught our eye as we scanned the online catalogue.
1. Tea and coffee set
Among the selection of tea and coffee sets in the Woolley & Wallis sale is this matched four-piece late-Victorian silver example, pictured above. It was made by William Hutton and Sons of London and Sheffield and dates from 1899/1900.
It is estimated at £500-700 at the sale.
View the catalogue entry for this silver tea and coffee set on thesaleroom.com.
2. Jockey's hat caddy spoon
A George III silver jockey's hat caddy spoon – estimated at £200-300 at Woolley & Wallis.
Collectable silver items come in all shapes and forms. This piece is an example of one with a sporting theme.
A George III silver jockey's hat caddy spoon, it was made by Joseph Taylor of Birmingham and dates from 1799. The estimate is £200-300.
View the catalogue entry for this silver caddy spoon on thesaleroom.com.
3. Claret jugs
A pair of French silver-mounted glass claret jugs – estimated at £800-1200 at Woolley & Wallis.
This pair of French silver-mounted glass claret jugs date from around 1900. Made by The Tetard Brothers, the glass bodies are engraved with engraved foliate, scroll and trellis decoration, while the domed covers have a foliate finial.
They are estimated at £800-1200.
View the catalogue entry for these claret jugs on thesaleroom.com.
4. Photo frames
A pair of silver photograph frames – estimated at £200-300 at Woolley & Wallis.
As photography became more widespread in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the diversity of photoframes developed alongside it.
This pair of silver photograph frames were made by S. Blanckensee and Sons in 1910 and have borders with foliate decoration and wooden easel backs. They are estimated at £200-300.
View the catalogue entry for these photo frames on thesaleroom.com.
5. Silver toothpick box
A George III silver toothpick box – estimated at £100-150 at Woolley & Wallis.
This fairly simple looking item would have in fact been quite a luxury in its day.
A George III silver toothpick box, it dates from 1805 and opens up to a mirrored interior, allowing its owner to see what they were doing as they cleaned their teeth.
Made by Phipps and Robinson of London, it is estimated at £100-150.
View the catalogue entry for this silver toothpick box on thesaleroom.com.
