Roseberys’ November Silver auction was the strongest of 2024, achieving a hammer total of £153,820 and a 91% sell-through rate. The sale attracted strong interest from private buyers globally, with the top five lots all selling privately following competitive bidding in the room, on the telephones, and online. 

The top lot of the sale was a delicately-rendered silver Acacia tree candelabra by Patrick Mavros. The piece generated significant pre-sale interest and ultimately realised a price of £11,152 over an estimate of £4,000-£6,000, selling to a London-based telephone bidder. Two silver giraffe sculptures by Patrick Mavros also sold well, and consistent results for contemporary silver in our sales this year indicate a ready and growing market for this category of silverware.  

Lots 10, 11 & 12: Patrick Mavros, Zimbabwe, 21st Century. 

Demand for quality items of Victorian silverware also proved strong. Standout lots included a pair of silver gilt dessert stands by Garrard & Co. which sold to India for £5,773 (inc. BP) and a pair of silver table lighters realistically modelled as elephants by John Aldwinckle & Thomas Slater. These sold well above estimate to realise £5,773 demonstrating the continued popularity of novelty silverware. 

Lot 9: A pair of novelty Victorian silver table lighters. John Aldwinckle & Thomas Slater, London, 1890 - Price realised: £5,773

Both private collections in the sale generated interest, and some good results for Georgian pieces provided grounds for optimism in this category. Roseberys saw particularly strong prices for provincial, Irish and Channel Islands pieces. A George II silver cream boat by James (or John) Kirkup of Newcastle sold well above estimate to realise £1,115, and a George III Channel Islands silver beaker realised £1,574. The market for Georgian picture-back spoons also proved buoyant, with particular highlights of this collection including a set of Masonic picture-backs, which realised £722 against an estimate of £300-500.

Lot 297: Of Masonic interest. A rare set of six Georgian silver Masonic picture-back teaspoons. William Cripps, London, c.1765 - Price Realised: £722

Enthusiastic bidding for silverware by the best Georgian makers indicated that demand remains strong for quality pieces by the most sought-after makers. A Regency silver milk jug by Paul Storr sold at top estimate to realise £1,050 while a silver mustard by Hester Bateman exceeded its estimate to realise £1,443. Two collectors fought hard for a rare set of forks by Paul Crespin, chasing them well beyond their £300-500 estimate to realise £2,362.

Lot 50: Five George II silver dessert forks. Paul Crespin, London, c.1750 - Price realised: £2,362

“This sale wrapped up a great year for the Silver department at Roseberys and we were thrilled to achieve some fantastic results for our vendors across a wide range of silver categories. The enthusiastic participation of private buyers is particularly encouraging, and we look forward to continued growth in this area," commented Georgina Agnew, Head of Silver .