‘Fantastic cache’ of antiques seen twice in 80 years

A “FANTASTIC CACHE” of antiques that has seen the light of day only twice since the 1930s will go under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Selected Antiques Sale in Cirencester on Friday, May 30.

The collection of 200 items, mainly comprising glassware, porcelain and silverware, but also paintings and furniture, were wrapped in local and national newspapers and put into storage in the mid-1930s. Until it was unpacked by Moore Allen this week it had only been seen once before – in the mid-1970s.

Auctioneer Philip Allwood explained: “The collection came from a Cotswolds house, owned by our client’s grandmother. They were put into storage after the grandmother’s death. When the client’s mother died in the 1970s, our client examined the items before putting them back into storage, where they remained until this week.

“Historically it is a fascinating – not to mention valuable – collection. Some of the pieces are absolutely spectacular.”

Among the highlights is a pair of 19th century Serves-style porcelain vases of exhibition quality. Hand painted with allegorical studies of Venus and other deities, and signed by E Poitevin, the pair stand at 57cms on gilt bronze mounts.

“These are of he highest quality,” enthused Philip, “and could easily have been exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851. We estimate the pair at between £10,000 and £15,000.”

The collection also includes a pair of Royal Crown Derby pedestal vases. Decorated by H Gregory in 1903 the turquoise porcelain vases have a floral design and stand at 45cms. Described by Philip as of “super quality” the pair is estimated at £800 to £1,200.

Some of the pieces are not only beautiful, are of historical interest too. A plain gilt decorated tumbler is inscribed Success to the Preston Volunteers and is inscribed with a crown and GR. The Royal Preston Volunteers were established at the start of the Napoleonic Wars in 1803 and disbanded in 1804. With this information, the item is easily dated although it is unlikely that the tumbler brought the Volunteers the battlefield luck they needed. Standing at 12cms tall, the tumbler is valued at £100 to £150.

A George III silver salver by Paul Storr of London – renowned as the country’s greatest ever silver smith – is inscribed: “Presented by the officers and crew of HMR Cutter Greyhound to John Nugent Esquire Lieutenant RN as a mark of their high respect for his officer like conduct and as a token of gratitude for his fatherly attention during the three years they had the honour of serving under his command. January 1820.”

The salver, which measures 32cm wide and weighs 39oz, is valued at between £800 and £1,200.”

Similarly, a pair of silver claret jugs are inscribed: “Presented to Colonel Wilson Patten MP and the officers of the 3rd Regiment Duke of Lancaster’s Own by Henry Newsham Pedder Esq, late captain, as a slight token of esteem and regard on his leaving the regiment. Preston, March 1855.”

These ‘slight tokens’ stand at 32cms and weigh 77oz. They were crafted by J Charles Eddington of London in 1853 and 1854 and would not have been cheap when bought new. Today they are valued at between £1,500 and £2,000.

Meanwhile, a rare 18th century ‘Act of Parliament’ or ‘Tavern’ clock, the gilt painted dial set with Roman numerals and Arabic seconds divisions, is inscribed William Scafe, London above a gilt decorated arched door and stands at one-and-a-half metres.

Philip explained: “Scafe is renowned as a maker of repute. These clocks are often called an Act of Parliament or Tavern clock because, in 1779, George III imposed a tax on all clocks and watches, so people relied on clocks in public places. Canny publicans would install clocks inside their premises, tempting people who wanted to know the time to buy a pint while they were at the bar.

“However, as Scafe was operating between 1721 and 1764 – more than a decade before the levy was introduced – tavern clocks obviously predate the tax. Regardless, these clocks are very uncommon – I have only sold one in over 20 years in the trade – and I expect this example to achieve between £2,000 and £3,000.”

The collection represents just a quarter of the antiques up for auction on May 30. For more information log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk or call 01285 646050 for a catalogue. The paintings from the collection will be sold separately at the Selected Picture Sale on Friday, October 24.

A pair of Royal Crown Derby pedestal vases	A pair of 19th century Serves-style porcelain vases
A George III silver salver by Paul Storr of London;	A pair of silver claret jugs