Lyon & Turnbull’s Silver & Objets de Vertu department currently holds two specialist auctions per year - dedicated to both British and foreign silverware from the 14th century to modern day alongside the annual Scottish Silver & Applied Arts auction in August. While good quality pieces of traditional silverware remain popular, items with a particularly interesting provenance or by renowned makers such as Paul Storr, Hamilton & Inches, Paul de Lamerie, Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, Mappin & Webb and Garrards, garner much excitement.
Recent years have seen the emergence of post-war British silverware as an important collecting area and Scotland is proud to be home to a number of highly-regarded contemporary silversmiths, including Malcolm Appleby, Graham Stewart and Adrian Hope. Lyon & Turnbull continues to champion new and emerging craftspeople via Elements, our annual exhibition of contemporary silverware and jewellery.
Silver auction highlights often feature pieces from important private collections. The Chen Collection was the finest and most comprehensive single-owner collection of Russian, English and European silver, Viennese enamels and rock crystal, offered at auction for a generation. Works on silver, gold and enamels by Russian makers, such as Fedor Ruckert, Pavel Ovchinnikov and, of course, Faberge attracted international attention.
Various pieces formally in the famous collection of Sir William Lowther (1757-1844), the 1st Earl of Lonsdale, have been offered over the years including a pair of George IV wine coolers for £23,750* in 2021 and a set of Paul Storr candlesticks for £79,250* in 2008. Two pairs of 18th-century German candlesticks by Balthazar Friedrich Behrens bearing the arms of King George II (1727-1760) sold in 2009 for £109,000* and a Russian silver gilt and cloisonne enamel box, by renowned maker Fedor Ruckert, sold for £74,400*.
We regularly sell items from individual consigners. Recent highlights have included a Russian Imperial punch set which sold for £69,950* and a pair of German Royal candlesticks which sold for £54,050*.
Our Silver & Objets de Vertu department holds two auctions throughout the year, and a specialist Scottish Silver auction in August. To find out more about our forthcoming auctions, or obtain a complimentary silver valuation, please do not hesitate to contact one of our specialist team.
*All prices are inclusive of buyers' premium.
Our regular silver auctions offer exceptional pieces from individual consignors and private collections. Featuring the finest of craftsmanship from around the world, our auctions offer the chance to bid on rare or one-of-a-kind items in person or from the comfort of your home. With a permanent presence in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, our silver specialists can advise on the condition and provenance of any lot of interest.
In order to buy at one of our silver auctions, all you need is a Lyon & Turnbull account. Should you wish to bid online, simply follow our sign-up process which may include supplying items of ID for verification purposes, and register for your chosen auction. From there, you can place an advance bid or get ready to bid live on the day. Should you prefer to attend the auction in person, our historic Edinburgh saleroom is located minutes from the city centre, accessible by bus, tram or taxi with parking nearby. Our team will be on hand to guide you through the registration and bidding process.
Should you wish further information on bidding online or in person, please visit our helpful step-by-step guide and video or contact a member of our team for further assistance.
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Sell your silver & objets de vertu with Lyon & Turnbull and receive access to an active network of buyers, a dedicated and professional specialist team on hand to help every step of the way and the chance to obtain the highest market value for your items. Simply follow our three step silver valuation process below.
Fill in the estimate form below with photographs and as much information as possible, and we will match you with a relevant specialist.
A department specialist will be in touch within a few days to offer an auction valuation and further information on how to easily consign at auction.
Your item will be expertly catalogued and marketed to our extensive database, all designed to help you receive the best price at auction.
You can arrange a consignment appointment at at a location near you or by telephoning us on on +44 131 557 8844. We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss any consignment opportunity in person.
We are pleased to offer a complimentary auction valuation service. In some cases, where the item does not meet Lyon & Turnbull's selling criteria, we will not be able to advise on the provenance or potential price the piece may sell for elsewhere.
If you are happy with your auction estimate, our specialists will advise on a suitable auction date and next steps. Once a consignment document has been completed, we will arrange the shipping or drop off of any items, catalogue the pieces and prepare to market them across our extensive network.
Once you have received your auction estimate, your specialist will agree the terms of sale. This is typically a percentage of the hammer price of your consigned item when it sells at auction.
No, there is no obligation to sell with us once you receive your auction estimate.
Prior to auction, our specialist team will be in touch to advise you of the confirmed date of sale, reconfirm the estimate and reserve prices and lot number of your item.
Around three weeks prior, the auction will go online which can be found on our Forthcoming Auctions page. On sale day, you can view the auction in our relevant saleroom or watch online via our website.
Any settlement will be arranged typically 28 days post sale by BACS (if requested) or cheque.
Should your item not sell, your specialist will be in touch to discuss all options available.
