Highlights of Exquisite Items from the Silver Department

Our Silver & Objects of Vertu Department continues to lead the market in quality and diversity, with highlights from the past few years spanning five centuries of craftsmanship. With three dedicated London auctions each year and a reputation for scholarly research, international reach and expert photography, Chiswick Auctions consistently achieves excellent results across both European and non-European silver.

Our department is proud to be the global leader in Non-European silver, confirmed with the white glove sale of The Stewart Collection,  the first ever auction dedicated solely to Indian silver. We regularly offer works by internationally sought-after names such as Oomersi Mawji, Maung Shwe Yon, Wang Hing, Zahroon, Ja’far, Paul de Lamerie, Paul Crespin and Paul Storr, alongside standout examples from key 19th century firms including Garrard, Barnard and Elkington.

Here are just some of the exceptional pieces that have captivated collectors and institutions alike in recent years.

A Royal Trophy with Historic Provenance

_{Lot 420 3 March 2022 - Her Majesty’s Vase – A Victorian sterling silver Royal presentation Warwick vase horse racing trophy, London 1845 by John Samuel Hunt}

_{£40,000 incl. premium}

Presented to Sir John Barker-Mill in 1845 after his horse, Giantess, won at the Plymouth, Devonport and Cornwall Races, this impressive Royal Plate trophy was offered on the open market for the first time. Its historical connection, elegant execution and excellent provenance generated widespread interest, including coverage on BBC Radio Cornwall.

Listen to a BBC Radio Cornwall interview over the sale of the vase here.

Museum Acquisition of Rare Sino-British Silver

_{Lot 537 23^rd March 2023 - An exceptional late 17^th / early 18^th century Chinese silver gilt tea bowl circa 1700, with Queen Anne Britannia standard handles, London 1705 by David Willaume I (1658-1741)}

_{£18,750 incl. premium}

Now part of the Chitra Collection (N. Sethia Foundation), this hybrid object, a rare early Chinese tea bowl adapted in London, reflects the rich cultural exchange surrounding tea. Related examples are held in the Aga Khan Collection, underscoring its significance in both Chinese and English silver history.

17th Century Silver of Rare Quality and Provenance

_{Lot 729 29^th October 2022  - A large and fine Charles II sterling silver tankard, London 1677 by Arthur Manwaring (free 1643, d.1678)}

_{£10,000 incl. premium}

This large and handsome tankard retains its original coat of arms for the Manners Dukes of Rutland. Arthur Manwaring's work is especially prized for its bold post-Great Fire of London style, making this a standout example from the period.

A potential one-off by the leading silversmith of Hull, this rare survival is one of just over 100 known Hull pieces from the 17th century and represents an important chapter in English provincial silver.

_{Lot 707 20^th October 2021 - An extremely rare Charles II late 17th century provincial silver mounted coconut cup, Hull circa 1670 by Edward Mangie or Mangy (1634 – 1685)}

_{£15,000 incl. premium}

Georgian Grandeur and Rococo Refinement

_{Lot 473 30 October 2022 - Welsh Interest - A set of four George I Britannia standard silver candlesticks, London 1725 by Arthur Dicken (reg. 18^th June 1720)}

_{£18,750 incl. premium}

Bearing the arms of Bussy Mansel, 4th Baron Mansel, these imposing candlesticks blend Huguenot design with British patronage and are exceptional both in scale and craftsmanship.

_{Lot 499 30 Oct 2020 - A George III sterling silver epergne, London 1762 by Charles Frederick Kandler (this mark registered 24^th June 1758)}

_{£15,000 incl. premium}

This lavish centrepiece typifies 18th-century grandeur with its silver-mounted glass dishes, reflecting candlelight beautifully and making a dramatic statement on any formal table. 

Continental Silver with Cross-Border Appeal 

_{Lot 410 20 Oct 2021  - A late 18th century Maltese silver coffee pot, Valetta circa 1775-80 by Giovanni Arrotin (reg. 1742)}

_{£16,250 incl. premium}

An outstanding example of Maltese craftsmanship, this piece demonstrates both Italianate influence and regional flair, a style lost in the 19th century following Napoleonic upheaval.

_{Lot 143 31 March 2021 - A late 17^th century Norwegian silver peg tankard, Bergen circa 1690 by Peder Johannesen Reimers (b.1642, active 1670-95)}

_{£17,500 incl. premium}

A highly desirable piece from the Reimers family, this peg tankard surpassed expectations and underlines the enduring appeal of Scandinavian silver from this period. 

Flatware with Style and Substance

_{Lot 287 30 Oct 2020  - An exceptional and extensive William IV sterling silver triple table service of flatware / full canteen, London 1836 by Mary Chawner}

_{£13,750 incl. premium}

 An impressive and extensive canteen of flatware, this rare Chawner pattern demonstrates the highest standards of die-struck silver production in 19th-century England.

A Landmark Sale in Anglo-Indian Silver

The single owner Stewart Collection represents the first ever devoted auction of Indian silver. Starting with Burma and a small amount from Ceylon, the sale then takes the viewer on an anticlockwise journey throughout the silversmithing centres of British India, beginning in Madras. The collection is remarkable for the extent to which it covers the handmade artistry of every area and the variety of decoration associated with those regions in India. From the highly prolific Lucknow to the little-known Trichinopoly alongside the deeply coveted works of the Cutch region; the complex web of shapes and patterns is explored as a perfect survey of this distinct and important moment in the history of silversmithing. Indian and Burmese silver of the Raj period was admired across the world at the turn of the last century, now revived with publications over the last 25 years, this collection serves tribute to this passion of the past.

_{Lot 48 14 Feb 2023  - A late 19^th century Anglo – Indian silver three-piece bachelor tea service, Madras circa 1890 by Peter Orr and Sons}

_{£33,750 incl. premium}

This exceptional set depicts the Jagannath procession at Puri and was featured in P. Orr and Sons’ original sales catalogue. It represents the pinnacle of British Indian silver and achieved a world record for the maker.

_{Lot 228 14 February 2023  - A fine late 19^th century Anglo – Indian silver teapot, Cutch, Bhuj circa 1880 by Oomersi Mawji (active 1860-90)}

_{£9,375 incl. premium}

Made by India’s most celebrated silversmith, this refined piece showcases the intricacy and balance Mawji is renowned for, often working with silver of exceptionally high purity.

_{Lot 227 14 February 2023  - A late 19^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver claret jug or ewer, Cutch circa 1870}

_{£10,625 incl. premium}

A stunning example of finely chased Cutch silver, this jug far exceeded expectations and represents a record for a claret jug from the region within the department.

Interested in receiving a complimentary Silver Valuation?

Please get in touch with Head of Department John Rogers at john.rogers@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an Online Valuation.