Wealth of items to discover at specialist sale

WHITTONS of Honiton’s next auction will be a two-day Fine Silver and Jewellery sale on Wednesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 6, commencing at 10.30am on each day.

Among the items being offered, there is a rather flamboyant and stylish George III swing-handled silver basket with cast feet, profusely decorated with flowers and leaves and central lion crest, made in London in 1817. It has a pre-sale of estimate of £3,000£4,000. There is also a similar rectangular example with a reeded handle and gadroon rim made in London in 1821 by Paul Storr, renowned Georgian silversmith to Royalty, estimated at £2,500-£3,500.

To add to the glamour, there is a massive silver wine ewer attractively decorated with flowers and leaves to spreading foot with a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500; a set of four substantial Georgian silver candlesticks made in London in 1777 by John Schofield, estimated at £2,000-£3,000; a vast selection of collectors’ items to include more than a dozen snuff boxes of various designs; a Georgian caddy spoon decorated with an acorn; a heavy Edwardian silver three-piece tea service; a large collection of silver cutlery sets of complimentary patterns and ages all being sold without reserves sourced from a deceased estate in a local coastal Devon retreat; and a rare

Exeter flat top lidded tankard with scroll thumb piece made by renowned George I Exeter silversmith John Elston in 1711, with a pre-sale estimate of £6000-£8000.

Day two will feature a collection of gold and semi-precious items of jewellery to include an attractive aquamarine and diamond ring mounted in platinum with a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,000; a Victorian diamond and platinum pendant on fine link chain, estimate £1,500-£2,000; another similar Art Deco pendant, estimate £500-£600; a late Victorian jade and diamond brooch, estimate £300-£400; a high-carat gold amethyst bracelet with concealed clasp, estimate £300£400; a good quality 18 carat gold pocket watch attractively decorated with diamonds and rubies, estimate £500-£800.

Viewing for the auction will be by appointment on Tuesday, May 4, from 10am to 4pm. Bidders will now also be able to attend in person on this occasion and it is strongly advised that places are booked in advance as places will be limited.

For all enquiries or to book appointments, please call 01404 517000 or email info@whittonsauctions.co.uk

Bidding is also available via Whittons’ own bidding platform, Whittons Live, or via the-saleroom.com (see website for details). For more information visit www.whittonsauctions.co.uk. > Right: Silver wine ewer with flowers and leaves, estimate £1,000-£1,500

> Above: George III swing handled silver basket, estimate £3,000-£4,000

> A selection of jewellery at auction