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Cotswold auctioneers’ Kinghams reported “strong results” in its recent Silver & Objects of Vertu sale.
A curated specialist sale of 500 lots, which drew worldwide interest, was held at the firm’s auction centre in Moreton-in-Marsh.
According to Associate Director, Matthew Lafite, “We were delighted with the interest generated from our latest sale. The results were excellent, and we hope to continue to build the reach of the department and breadth of sales.”
Hammer highlights include a silver and enamel butterfly vase, by celebrated goldsmith Fred Rich, which was the top lot of the sale, achieving a total of £17,420. A record price for a Fred Rich vase.
Mr Lafite commented, “The Fred Rich vase achieved a very strong result. Unsurprisingly, it was hotly contested by buyers in the room, multiple internet platforms, and two telephone bidders. The piece was a fantastic example of Fred Rich’s work, and we were delighted to have handled it. Uncovered locally, on the windowsill of a fine Cotswold stone manor house. This object had it all!”
Other highlights included an 18ct gold box by the famous jewellers, Cartier of London, which was purchased by an international buyer for £10,400. Two lots of German silver also attracted keen interest and competitive bidding. A large and impressive silver casket commemorating the Triumph of Napoleon sold for £5,460. A pair of German silver figures of knights, complete with shields and swords, sold to a UK buyer for £5,200.
Asian silver also performed well at the sale. An Indian Kutch four-piece tea service with handles formed as serpents was sold to an internet bidder for £2,210.
The sale also contained lots from celebrated names such as Paul Storr, Robert Garrard, and Dr. Christopher Dresser. An Edwardian silver and parcel-gilt naturalistic bowl, in the Japonesque style, decorated with foliate tendrils, with a design attribution to Dresser for Hukin & Heath, sold for £2,470.
“There is a strong, almost insatiable demand, for good quality, special items, which are fresh to the market. We were delighted to have been able to achieve some fantastic results for our vendors. It is amazing the depth of quality items that we see, not only locally in the Cotswolds but all over the country more broadly,” Mr Lafite said.
