Auction: Silver & Objects of Vertu, including the Taylor collection of Indian colonial silver
The summer silver sale showcases a strong collection of silver from colonial to non-European and 18th century English. The Jeremy Taylor collection of Indian Colonial and Chinese export silver contains rare examples of the colonial forms particular to the British firms producing chiefly in Calcutta and Madras in the first half of the 19th century. Chinese silver is presented with rare mugs tracking the transition from 'China Trade' style to the profusely decorated export style. The Qiu Ji tankard, or covered mug, is an excellent example of a large piece by this important maker.
English silver owned by Royalty and nobility is found throughout the sale and begins with the famous Maharaja Sir Duleep Singh and four potentially unique tea cups and saucers made for the Raja of Coorg, who was so important for the British overthrowing Tipu Sultan. Heraldry of British nobility is engraved for various families including the; Earl of Buckinghamshire, Duke of Leeds, Baroness Windsor, Duke of Argyll, Earl of Perth, Earl of Darnley, Viscount Turnour and the King of Hanover. However, two lots are engraved with the initials of prominent 19th century heiresses, Harriet, Duchess of St Albans and Francis, Marchioness of Londonderry. These pieces are engraved for them as opposed to their noble husbands, demonstrating their prominence in their own right. The final lot of the sale is a precious George II cream jug, directly modelled after a Yixing Zisha example, a wonderful Chinoiserie from the epoch of great transitions in English silver.
Read our blog on Indian Colonial Silver.
Viewing
Viewing exclusively at the Barley Mow, W4 4PH:
Auction: Silver and Objects of Vertu
The spring silver sale covers over 500 lots - from the medieval to modern, from across the world. Items of note include fine examples of Iraqi nielloware such as the gold mounted three-piece coffee set by Onaisi, a selection of rare 18th century American Colonial silver headed by a 1740s Boston salver by William Simpson, and a selection of pieces by famed modern Isfahan silversmith Jouzdani bought in 1995.
English silver is comfortably represented, beginning with a Plantagenet diamond point spoon and a pair of fine 'Egyptomamia' salts from the Lonsdale service by premier Regency silversmiths Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith.
Viewing
Viewing at Barley Mow Centre W4 4PH
Sat 18 March 11am - 4pm
Mon 20 March 11am - 4pm
Tues 21 March 11am - 4pm