Silver Splendour

Silver Splendour

Exploring the Remarkable Norwich Collection

Our June Fine Interiors Sale included a collection of Norwich 17th century silver assembled by one of East Anglia’s best-known families. The 12 very rare pieces come from Bixley Manor, the estate of businessman Sir Timothy James Alan Colman (1929-2021) and his wife Lady Mary Colman (née Bowes-Lyon), niece of the Queen Mother. The collection made £44,330 on June 13.

15 June 2023

We as a team are so excited for the individual items in this marvellous collection to go to their new respective homes following our June Fine Interiors sale.

Norwich silver is of particular interest, as the city only had its silver assay office for three periods from 1565-1702, making items from this time rare. Overall, the collection made £44,330 (including buyer’s premium).

 

A William III East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£2,470)

A William III East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£2,470)

 

A William III East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£2,860)

A William III East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£2,860)

 

Highlights from this collection were five spoons and two beakers by Elizabeth Haselwood (1644-1715). Elizabeth was the only woman silversmith registered in Norwich in the 17th century, and her work features in both the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Royal Collection. On offer here were five trefid spoons with marks ranging from 1675 to 1697. Estimated at £500-800 each, they sold at prices £750-£2,750 (including BP). 

 

A plain James II East Anglian provincial silver beaker (£4,940)

A plain James II East Anglian provincial silver beaker (£4,940)

 

 

A William III East Anglian provincial silver engraved beaker (£6,240)

A William III East Anglian provincial silver engraved beaker (£6,240)

 

The two beakers, marked for 1688 and 1697 were guided at £2,000-3,000 and £2,500-3,500 respectively, yet in auction, the example from the reign of James II sold to a London trade buyer at £4,750, and the example from the reign of William II sold to a private buyer from Norfolk at £6,000. We feel privileged to promote Elizabeth and her artistry, three hundred years later.

Other successful examples from this collection were a Charles II East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon by Thomas Havers, circa 1680, which sold for a total of £3,120 and a Charles I East Anglian provincial silver seal-top spoon, by Arthur Haselwood, marked for 1640 which sold for £2,860.

 

A Charles I East Anglian provincial silver seal-top spoon (£2,860)

A Charles I East Anglian provincial silver seal-top spoon (£9,750) 

A Charles II East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£3,120)

A Charles II East Anglian provincial silver trefid spoon (£3,120)

 


To view results for all of the lots in the sale, please click here. 

We are currently accepting consignments for our next Fine Interiors Sale. To discuss a valuation, please contact fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778  

 

 


 

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