6 Exceptional Silver Treasures

Sterling silver treasures spanning the past three centuries are the focus of this week’s curated auction antique and vintage silver pieces. This expertly crafted collection is devoted to American, European, and Continental silver, featuring globally renowned names in the art of silver-making, including Gorham and Georg Jensen.

American-made silver includes a set of 12 wine goblets made in 1900 by A.G. Schultz & Co. of Baltimore. Each goblet is stamped sterling and has the maker’s mark.

Set of 12 sterling silver goblets, made in the United States by A.G. Schultz & Co., 1900, 2,428 grams. Estimate: $5,500-$6,000. Jasper52 image

 

English silver is highlighted by a covered entrée dish made by Waterhouse, Hodgson & Co. of Sheffield. The handle on the lid unlocks, and the lid can be used as a second dish. The dish is hand engraved on both sides of the lid with a lion crest. This substantial piece was retailed in Dublin by West & Co.

Georgian shell and gadroon sterling silver covered dish, 1826, Waterhouse, Hodgson & Co. and retailed in Dublin By West & Co., 12 1/4 x 10 x 5 1/2 in, 2,300 grams. Estimate: $6,400-$7,300. Jasper52 image

 

A set of 12 fish knives and forks in the popular Kings pattern is a modern entry in the 56-lot catalog. Gee & Holmes, also fo Sheffield, England, made the set, which is fully hallmarked and dated 1961.

Set of 12 English sterling silver fish knives and forks, Kings pattern, Gee & Holmes, dated 1961, 1,320 grams. Estimate: $4,300-$4,800. Jasper52 image

 

Yet another Sheffield item is a sterling silver epergne made by Thomas Frost in 1911. The base and each of its three baskets bear full English hallmarks.

Sterling silver epergne, 1911, made in Sheffield, Thomas Frost, 1,500 grams. Estimate: $4,200-$4,800. Jasper52 image

 

German silver includes a pair of candelabra by Theodor Julius Guenther and Robert Freund crafted crica 1910, as well as a rare bull and cow milk jug and creamer set from the 1880s.

Pair of German silver candelabra made by Theodor Julius Guenther and Robert Freund, circa 1910, 800/1,000, 22 in. high. Estimate: $9,900-$11,000. Jasper52 image

 

The pair of Cow Creamers is rare as it is highly unusual to have a Bull Creamer and a matched Cow & Bull Creamer set. Designed in the style of the late 1700s silver smith John Schuppe, the pieces include hinged lids set in the backs with a small insect finial decorating the tops and curved tails as handles.

Rare German bull and cow cream and milk jug set, 1880, 1,480 grams, German hallmarks on tails. Estimate: $6,500-$7,500. Jasper52 image

 

Explore the full catalog of the hand-selected silver pieces and place your bids today.

 

Antique Maps Putting World Views Into Perspective

Beautifully illustrated maps of the world are drawing collectors to this week’s antique map and atlas auction, specially curated by category experts. Take a look below at the highlights from this worldly collection attracting travelers and historians alike.

Topping the nearly 100-lot catalog collection is a lavish world map by J. Elwe, which was printed in Amsterdam in 1792. It is a re-issue of a map first published in 1694 by Alexis-Hubert Jaillot. The map is beautifully decorated with a rich allegorical background. The female representations of the four continents adorn the corners with figures representing the virtues of Justice with her ax and scales, Truth holding a mirror while being attacked by a serpent, Fortitude with a broken column, a Temperance mixing wine and water.

1792 Elwe world map, ‘Mappe Monde ou Description du Globe Terrestre & Aquatique,’ cartographer: J. Elwe after A. Jaillot, 1792, Amsterdam, 18 x 24 in. Estimate: $3,200-$3,600. Jasper52 image

 

One of the most famous and iconic world maps is published in the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, which is considered the world’s first modern atlas. It was first published in 1570 in Antwerp. The map is the work of Abraham Ortelius, one of the most famous cartographers in history. This atlas was the most expensive book ever published on any subject up to that date. Of the 3,850 copies produced by 1587-1612, there are an estimated 395 of these atlases still intact. There are an estimated 556 loose examples of the map known.

World map, 1587-1612, cartographer: Abraham Ortelius, original hand color, 16 x 21 in., from the world’s first modern atlas, German edition. Estimate: $4,000-$4,500. Jasper52 image

 

The 1720 map of the world by Johann Baptist Homann is one of the most decorative maps of its kind of the 18th century. The double hemisphere shows the latest discovery of an incomplete Australia and New Zealand, and inaccurate depictions of Pacific Northwest and Japan.

Map: of the world, 1720, cartographer: J.B. Homann et Heirs, hand colored copperplate engraved, 21 x 24 in. Estimate: $1,500-$1,700. Jasper52 image

 

Also published by the Homann family in Nuremberg is a 1740s celestial chart. The hand-colored copperplate engraving is based on the works of astronomers Doppelmayr, Heelius and Halley. The double hemisphere celestial chart shows the constellations of the northern and southern skies depicted as animal figures. There are three diagrams showing the planetary modes by Brache, Ptolemy and Copernicus. Three other diagrams show the moon and sun, revolution of the earth around the sun and the effects of the moon on tides.

Celestial chart, Homann Heirs, Nuremberg, circa 1740s, hand-colored copperplate engraved, 22 x 25 in. Estimate: $1,300-$1,500. Jasper52 image

 

For those travelers following Horace Greeley’s advice, Colton’s 1872 folding map of the Western United States is essential. This large and colorful map on banknote paper indicates overland routes and projected railroad lines.

‘Colton’s Map of the States and Territories West of the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean Showing the Overland Routes, Projected Rail Road Lines,’ cartographer: J. Colton, 1876, New York, 29 x 42.5 in. Estimate: $1,800-$2,000. Jasper52 image