Western Morning News (Saturday)
Whittons of Honiton’s two-day fine silver and jewellery auction
WHITTONS of Honiton’s next two-day fine silver and jewellery auction will be held on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th March commencing at 10.30am on each day.
Among the fine and rare items on offer is a collection of early Exeter silver to include a square waiter with crested centre dated 1731 by John Webber, who was a renowned Devonshire silversmith from Plymouth active between 1724 and 1757. He is noted for his quality salvers, chocolate pots and flagons, and died in 1767.
There will also be a collection of very early local silver spoons to include a Charles I seal top spoon dated 1635 with a pre-auction estimate of £1,000-£1,500; a Queen Anne trefid spoon by renowned local silversmith Edward Sweet who was born in Dunster in 1673, and was the son of Richard Sweet who was a prolific goldsmith in Chard; an Exeter spoon dated 1729 by John Elston II, who produced exquisite spoons, mugs and candlesticks during his lifetime; and a massive Georgian silver crested lidded beer jug on impressive sweeping pedestal base with a pre-sale estimate of £4,000-£6,000.
There is a vast selection of Georgian and Victorian teapots of every shape and design; a large collection of Kings’ pattern cutlery; a pair of tall Georgian crested Corinthian column cast candlesticks with an inviting estimate of £2,000 - £4,000; a multitude of salvers to include a rare set of three Edwardian examples attractively decorated with foliage with an estimate of £1,000-£1,500; a large George II lidded trophy cup and cover with crested front at £1,000 - £1,500; and a substantial selection of toast racks which are proving very appealing in today’s digital age as smartphone docking stations. There is also a large collection of Victorian christening cups and casters together with sweet baskets and sauce boats. This auction will cover two days with approximately 1,000 lots on offer to conclude with over 100 lots of jewellery.
Entries are always invited at Whittons as the market for silver and gold is currently at an all time high. This was certainly evident by the high prices achieved in the last auction with a massive Paul Storr Tureen finally realising a hammer price of £17,000 having been fought out on the telephones by two bidders, for example, and 98% of the items all being sold. Credit must be given to the expert eye of specialist auctioneer and valuer Edward Whitton who can be contacted on 01404 517000 and by email at info@whittonsauctions.co.uk.
For those who prefer not to wait for the monthly silver auctions though, Whittons Private Buying Service is also proving hugely popular in uncertain times for those who prefer to get instant funds.
For enquiries regarding the forthcoming auction email enquiries@whittons.live for further photographs and to obtain condition reports and advice prior to bidding, which can be done online via the-saleroom. com and through Whittons own bidding platform Whittons Live. (See website for further details).
■ Whittons Auctions Ltd. The Fine Art Auction Rooms, Dowell Street, Honiton, Ex14 1Lx. www.whitton- sauctions.co.uk