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Since 2002, I've managed the sale of ten out of the twelve highest priced artefacts belonging to Nelson including the undisclosed record price for his gold pocket watch. Here are some highlights of those and other memorable sales and exhibitions I've been involved with.

Lord Castlereagh’s Silver Inkstand »

A George III silver Treasury inkstand Henry Nutting, London, 1805 Rectangular on four scroll feet, the double hinge cover with swing handle and engraved Royal arms of King George III and a coat-of-arms under a coronet of STEWART quartering another with Hobart in pretence for Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, later 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (1769-1822) […]

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CHARLES DICKENS SILVER MEAT DISH »

A George II silver meat dish, plain oval with gadroon edge, by Samuel Herbert, London 1759, later engraved in two places with the crest of Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Dimensions: 38 x 28cm (15 x 11 inches). Weight: 28.2 oz. approx.. Despite feigning no interest in his family pedigree and mocking the pretensions of those who […]

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Silver cup for Surgeon at Waterloo »

WATERLOO INTEREST: A George III antique silver cup and cover Mitchell & Russell, Edinburgh 1818 A fine and large antique silver cup and cover, body with gadrooning and fruit and floral decoration, standing on reeded foot, engraved, obverse, with family coat of arms and motto of HUNTER and, reverse, with regimental badge and motto of […]

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The Stowe Basket »

A GEORGE III SILVER CAKE BASKET BY EDWARD ALDRIDGE, LONDON, 1762 Shaped oval with gadroon borders, ribbed swing handle, fretwork sides and foot, centre later engraved with arms accollé, base inscribed with scratch-weight 34=4 14 ¼ in. long (36.3 cm.); 31.5 oz. (976 gm.) The arms are for Richard Plantaganet Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and […]

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Above the salt »

This George III silver salt, with gilded interior, was made by Daniel Pontifex in London 1800. It belonged to Admiral Lord Nelson and probably formed part of a service of silver he purchased after the battle of Copenhagen in 1802 using funds granted him by Lloyd’s Coffee House. Pontifex also supplied the Copenhagen service with […]

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Dining with Admiral Lord Nelson »

This important 26 piece collection of silver flatware from Lord Nelson’s personal service – the largest group remaining in private hands – illustrates the evolution of the admiral’s armorial bearings as he accumulated honours and titles in the years leading to his death at Trafalgar.  The earliest pieces dated 1796/7 and made by London silversmiths William […]

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Dance to fame: silver from the Royal Academy of Arts »

A fine and historic pair of presentation sterling silver entree dishes and covers by Robert Garrard, London 1809, each domed oval with gadroon edging, covers engraved with a family crest and motto: VIRTUTEM SEQUITUR FAMA, interior of dishes similarly engraved in two places. Covers with removable strawberry and leaf finials and further engraved with a presentation […]

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Sir John Herschel’s “horn of Africa” silver beakers »

A pair of silver lined buffalo horn beakers, mounted by Charles Rawlings & William Summers, London 1839, engraved with the crest of Sir John Herschel (1792-1871); height of each approx. 116mm / 4 5/8 inches. This pair of beakers belonged to the famed mathematician and astronomer Sir John Herschel. Son of the celebrated astronomer and discoverer […]

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