In Ireland, we have a knack for a material that lends grace, style and permanence to all sorts of settings and occasions. So in a fickle era when fashion in antiques and everything else is fast-moving it is heartening that silver has retained an enduring appeal.
Special silver sales at Woodwards in Cork, like the one coming up next Saturday (May 11), are always popular.
This one offers some Cork silver (always a draw for serious collectors) along with a selection of Irish flatware, Georgian and Victorian English silverware and plate and the estate of a collector of Royal Irish Silver.
Prime lots include a 1970 pair of heavy entree dishes and covers with detachable handles by the Royal Irish Silver Co, Dublin (€2,000-€3,000), a c1775 sugar bowl with scalloped rim by Peter Wills, Cork (€700-€1,000), a c1838 cream jug with melon panelled body by Richard Garde, Cork (€500-€1,000), a pair of 1961 sauce boats (€600-€800) and an Irish butter pail design sugar bowl (€400-€800) both by William Egan and Sons, Cork.
The sale will be on view from 2pm to 4pm today (May 4) and tomorrow and from 11 am to 4pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The online-only auction gets underway next Saturday and 11am.