Silver & Objects of Vertu: Best of 2024

Silver & Objects of Vertu: Best of 2024

A year of exceptional growth and global highlights

2024 has been a landmark year for the Silver & Objects of Vertu department at Chiswick Auctions. With continued growth and international engagement, the department has brought to market some of the finest and most diverse examples of silverware from around the world. From Persian and Indian craftsmanship to standout European works, the breadth of this year's offering reflects both specialist dedication and evolving global interest.

Following the landmark 2023 sale of The Stewart Collection of Anglo-Indian Silver, this year we were delighted to present The Gerard Collection of Chinese Export Silver, which further affirmed the department’s strength in offering curated, well-researched collections.

Our silver auctions are now widely recognised for their scholarly cataloguing, rarity of pieces, and presentation that appeals to seasoned collectors and new buyers alike.

The Gerard Collection of Chinese Export Silver

The Gerard Collection achieved a total hammer of £100,970, with 110% of the low estimate realised, 89% sold by estimate, and 90% of lots sold on the day. Representing a cross-section of the best Chinese export silver, this collection featured all major Canton and Shanghai makers identifiable by their distinctive Chinese character marks.

An early 20th century Chinese export silver pedestal bowl, Canton circa 1920, marked Tai Chang Long, retailed by Wang Hing

An early 20th century Chinese export silver pedestal bowl, Canton circa 1920, marked Tai Chang Long, retailed by Wang Hing, Sold for £3,780, Includes Buyer's Premium

A late 18th century Chinese export parcel gilt silver filigree and enamel casket, Canton circa 1780

A late 18th century Chinese export parcel-gilt silver filigree and enamel casket, Canton, circa 1780, Sold for £6,300, Includes Buyer's Premium

A late 19th / early 20th century Chinese export silver ewer, Canton circa 1900 marked Ye Bo, retailed by Wang Hing

A late 19th/early 20th century Chinese export silver ewer, Canton, circa 1900, marked Ye Bo, retailed by Wang Hing, Sold for £2,898, Includes Buyer's Premium

A late 19th century Chinese export silver standing cup, Canton dated 1886 marked Quan Ji, retailed by Wang Hing

A late 19th century Chinese export silver standing cup, Canton, dated 1886, marked Quan Ji, retailed by Wang Hing, Sold for £3,780,Includes Buyer's Premium

 
 
 

Indian Silver of the Raj Period

Indian silver remains a consistent strong performer, with rare and unusual items from centres such as Bhuj, Poona, Madras and Calcutta drawing international interest.

 

A late 19th century Anglo – Indian silver mounted rosewood inkstand or standish, Cutch, Bhuj circa 1890 by Mawji Raghavji

A late 19th century Anglo-Indian silver-mounted rosewood inkstand or standish, Cutch, Bhuj, circa 1890, by Mawji Raghavji, Sold for £5,000, Includes Buyer's Premium


A late 19th century Anglo – Indian silver claret jug, Madras circa 1880 by Peter Orr and Sons
A late 19th century Anglo-Indian silver claret jug, Madras, circa 1880, by Peter Orr and Sons, Sold for £5,500, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A fine late 19th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver and gold hand mirror, Madras circa 1890
A fine late 19th century Anglo-Indian unmarked silver and gold hand mirror, Madras, circa 1890, Sold for £3,780, Includes Buyer's Premium

A fine set of four late 19th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver gilt bowls and plates, Kashmir circa 1890

A fine set of four late 19th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver gilt bowls and plates, Kashmir circa 1890, Sold for £2,772, Includes Buyer's Premium

A rare late 19th century Anglo – Indian silver bowl, Poona circa 1890 upon an early 20th century Burmese silver stand, probably Rangoon circa 1910 £2750

A rare late 19th century Anglo – Indian silver bowl, Poona circa 1890 upon an early 20th century Burmese silver stand, probably Rangoon circa 1910, Sold for £2,750, Includes Buyer's Premium

A very large late 19th / early 20th century Anglo – Indian silver footed bowl, Calcutta, Bhowanipore circa 1900 by Grish Chunder Dutt

A very large late 19th / early 20th century Anglo – Indian silver footed bowl, Calcutta, Bhowanipore circa 1900 by Grish Chunder Dutt, Sold for £3,276, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

 

Other Notable Asian Silver

From Burma to Cambodia and beyond, interest in regional silver continues to expand.

A rare and unusual late 19th century Burmese unmarked silver cigar box, probably Mandalay circa 1890

A rare and unusual late 19th century Burmese unmarked silver cigar box, probably Mandalay, circa 1890, Sold for £3,500, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A mid-20th century Cambodian silver dish on stand (Tok), circa 1940 marked MOL

A mid-20th century Cambodian silver dish on stand (Tok), circa 1940 marked MOL, Sold for £1,875, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

 An early 20th century Persian (Iranian) silver shots set on tray, Isfahan circa 1920 by Ja'far

An early 20th century Persian (Iranian) silver shots set on tray, Isfahan circa 1920 by Ja'far, Sold for £3,276, Includes Buyer's Premium

An early 20th century Iraqi silver and niello three-piece tea service, Omara or Baghdad circa 1930 signed Faraj

An early 20th century Iraqi silver and niello three-piece tea service, Omara or Baghdad circa 1930 signed Faraj,Sold for £3,024, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

Objet de Luxe

Luxury silver from renowned houses such as Cartier, Bulgari and Tiffany has become a key collecting category.

An early 20th century American Art Deco sterling silver cocktail shaker, Connecticut post-1934, probably by Meriden Britannia Co for International Sterling, retailed by Cartier

An early 20th century American Art Deco sterling silver cocktail shaker, Connecticut, post-1934, probably by Meriden Britannia Co. for International Sterling, retailed by Cartier Sold for £6,048,Includes Buyer's Premium

A cased very large mid-20th century French 950 standard silver gilt cigarette or cigar box, Paris circa 1940 by Puiforcat

A cased very large mid-20th century French 950 standard silver gilt cigarette or cigar box, Paris circa 1940 by Puiforcat, Sold for £4788, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

https://www.chiswickauctions.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-362---a-mid-20th-century-italian-800-standard-silver-novelty-centrepiece-retailed-by-cartier-new-york/?lot=265216&so=6&st=&sto=0&au=1116&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=1&g=1

A mid-20th century Italian 800 standard silver novelty centrepiece, retailed by Cartier New York, Sold for £4032, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A mid-20th century American 14 carat gold cigarette case, New York circa 1950, signed Van Cleef and Arpels

A mid-20th century American 14 carat gold cigarette case, New York circa 1950, signed Van Cleef and Arpels, Sold for £3,780, Includes Buyer's Premium

A mid-20th century Italian 800 standard silver and rosewood novelty cigarette box, Florence circa 1940 probably by Luigi Canali, retailed by Gucci

A mid-20th century Italian 800 standard silver and rosewood novelty cigarette box, Florence circa 1940 probably by Luigi Canali, retailed by Gucci, Sold for £2,600, Includes Buyer's Premium

Russian Silver

Russian silver was particularly well received, with rare enamel and gilt pieces achieving strong results.

An Alexander III late 19th century Russian 88 zolotnik silver gilt and champlevé enamel cup and saucer, Saint Petersburg circa 1890 by Theodor Nygren (active 1874-1898)

An Alexander III late 19th century Russian 88 zolotnik silver gilt and champlevé enamel cup and saucer, Saint Petersburg circa 1890 by Theodor Nygren (active 1874-1898), Sold for £8,190, Includes Buyer's Premium

A large and fine Alexander III late 19th century Russian 84 zolotnik parcel gilt silver cigar box, Saint Petersburg 1885 by Johan Ferdinand Olsonins (Finnish 1823-1888)

A large and fine Alexander III late 19th century Russian 84 zolotnik parcel gilt silver cigar box, Saint Petersburg 1885 by Johan Ferdinand Olsonins (Finnish 1823-1888) Sold for £9,450, Includes Buyer's Premium

An Alexander II mid-19th century Russian parcel gilt silver jar and cover, Moscow 1868 by ∂∂ (untraced)

An Alexander II mid-19th century Russian parcel gilt silver jar and cover, Moscow 1868 by ∂∂ (untraced), Sold for £1,701, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

British and Continental Silver

British silver remains a core strength of the department, with rare and historic pieces regularly commanding competitive bidding.

A pair of Charles II sterling silver chinoiserie toilet caskets, London 1683 by Ralph Leake (free 1671)
A pair of Charles II sterling silver chinoiserie toilet caskets, London, 1683, by Ralph Leake, Sold for £23,940, Includes Buyer's Premium

A set of four George III sterling silver candlesticks, London 1765 by Ebenezeer Coker

A set of four George III sterling silver candlesticks, London 1765 by Ebenezeer Coker, Sold for £6,048, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

 

Queen Adelaide service – A pair of early Victorian sterling silver Royal sauce tureens, London 1837 by William Bateman II

Queen Adelaide service – A pair of early Victorian sterling silver Royal sauce tureens, London 1837 by William Bateman II, Sold for £5040, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

Scottish and English Provincial Silver

Provincial silver from Scotland and the English regions proved highly desirable among collectors seeking distinctive, local craftsmanship.

A rare George II Scottish provincial silver teapot, Aberdeen circa 1735 by Alexander Forbes (active circa 1728-53)

A rare George II Scottish provincial silver teapot, Aberdeen circa 1735 by Alexander Forbes (active circa 1728-53), Sold for £6,930, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

 

An extremely rare Charles I provincial silver seal top spoon, Norwich 1640 by Arthur Haselwood I (1593-1671, free. 1625)

An extremely rare Charles I provincial silver seal top spoon, Norwich 1640 by Arthur Haselwood I (1593-1671, free. 1625), Sold for £4,536, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A rare George III provincial sterling silver tea urn, Newcastle 1795 by John Robertson I and David Darling (active 10 July 1795 – 8 Nov 1796)

A rare George III provincial sterling silver tea urn, Newcastle 1795 by John Robertson I and David Darling (active 10 July 1795 – 8 Nov 1796, Sold for £2,772, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

CONTINENTAL SILVER 

A late 16th century German silver gilt tazza or comport, Augsburg circa 1590 by ‘S’ (untraced)

A late 16th century German silver gilt tazza or comport, Augsburg circa 1590 by ‘S’ (untraced), Sold for £6,250, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A set of ten mid-18th century German silver dinner plates, Augsburg 1747-51 by Johan Peter Muller (d. 1761)

A set of ten mid-18th century German silver dinner plates, Augsburg 1747-51 by Johan Peter Muller (d. 1761), Sold for £4,536, Includes Buyer's Premium

A late 18th / early 19th century Maltese colonial silver beaker, circa 1798-1800 and dated 1801 by Gaetano Offennaghel (

A late 18th / early 19th century Maltese colonial silver beaker, circa 1798-1800 and dated 1801 by Gaetano Offennaghel (reg. 1796), Sold for  £3,780, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

A mid-20th century Danish sterling silver cocktail shaker, Copenhagen circa 1950 by Georg Jensen, designed by Harald Nielsen

A mid-20th century Danish sterling silver cocktail shaker, Copenhagen circa 1950 by Georg Jensen, designed by Harald Nielsen, Sold for  £4,788, Includes Buyer's Premium

 

 

Interested in receiving a complimentary silver valuation?

Please contact John Rogers, Head of our Silver & Objects of Vertu Department, at john.rogers@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an online valuation.