The David Constable Collection of Drinking Vessels & Wine Labels was a main feature of our February 2016 Jewellery, Silver & Watches auction. The culmination of nearly two decades of collecting, the collection contained a wonderful selection of early silver drinking vessels and rare wine labels.
David is very well-known in silver circles by trade, collectors, museums and, of course, auctioneers. His collecting started with a gift from his wife of a stilton scoop in 1997 - an inspiring moment that began years of dedicated searching and, a now world-renowned specialisation in spoons. His keen interest in wine labels began with the support of Nicholas Shaw - with an introduction to the Tom Allder collection - and of the late Billy Buck, whose advice and gentle guidance guaranteed the collection to be one of good examples and quality throughout.
David authored the remarkable reference work The Benson Collection of Early Spoons in 2013. A publication that, alongside the catalogue produced by Messrs Christies’ for the sale of the collection in the same year, represents one of the definitive ‘sets’ of books on the subject to appear since the publication of the three mighty volumes by Commander and Mrs How. However, the publication of David’s latest project of ten years’ duration may well put these in the shade his two volume work, Silver Spoons of Britain 1200-1710.
Active in collecting societies throughout Britain, Constable was elected Chairman of the Silver Society in 2006-7 as well as being one of the founding Liverymen of The Worshipful Company of Art Scholars.
David’s keen eye for quality and rarity is reflected in his collection and offered collectors, new and old, an opportunity to acquire some special pieces to enhance their own collection.
*All sold prices include buyer's premium.