Aside from collecting watches, I do collect antiques. This covers a fair range of items, but one genre I do like is old silver. I try to concentrate on the Georgian era, but just occasionally something newer catches my eye. In this instance I had gone to an auction to go for some earlier pieces, but upon inspecting the cabinets, this stunning Art Nouveau screaming bowl stopped me dead. It has double handles, with a repousse rambling leaf border. But, it is the stunning inset enamel “cabochons” in a blue/turquoise that catch the eye.
On looking at the information provided, it was made in Sheffield by Walker & Hall, with a hallmark date of 1908. The company commenced in the mid-1800s and were a major manufacturer of, initially silver plate (which they more or less invented, along with Elkington), and then sterling silver. They were in business for a long time and many households would boast having silver plate cutlery by them. However, with a surge in stainless steel, business began to decline, so in the early 1960s they joined a group including Mappin & Web. They were eventually absorbed by the latter in 1971, when the W&H name ceased. Walker & Hall products covered a fair range – from the already noted utilitarian, to decorative. Anyway, they are amongst the upper echelons of silversmiths, and some pieces can be quite sought after.
In this case, it is the overall “package” that works so well. The shape is appealing (and practical for those dried rose petals), then the pattern and the “stones”, the condition, the maker, and finally the period. So, for all this, the estimate was £600-£800 – which frankly did not seem excessive at all. However, I was concerned that the price could actually go somewhat higher, as Art Nouveau silver like this is very popular.
So, along with a few other items that were of interest, I waited with some trepidation for the lot. The bidding started at a lowly £400 and so was quite encouraged, but, of course it began to climb. At £600 I had a sense that I was against someone else in the room. However, I hoped that the person may have seen me secure some earlier bids, and therefore might be a bit “frightened” of my fiscal provenance! In the end my fears were allayed as the bidding ceased with me at £650. Commission was, alas, 25% or £163, so my overall outlay was just over £800. I still feel this was reasonable, and am sure in a high end specialist dealer’s shop – and certainly in London, it could retail for at least £1,500+. Anyway, whilst I bought it to keep, I do feel that I could easily recoup my cost and more, should the need arise. I must now get some rose petals or pot-pourri!
Words/Images: The Writer