13th Jul, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver
2023
A Pair of Edward VII Silver Inkwells
by Sebastian Garrard, London, 1904, Retailed by R. & S. Garrard & Co., Haymarket, London
each tapering cylindrical and with reeded bands, the hinged covers open to reveal a clear glass liner, engraved with intials 'AR' within the garter motto and below an earl's coronet
16cm diameter, weight of silver 27oz 2dwt, 843gr (2)
Provenance:
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and 1st Earl Midlothian (1847-1929) and by descent to his son
Albert Edward Harry Meyer Archibald Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery and 2nd Earl Midlothian (1882-1974).
Mentmore, The Executors of the 6th Earl of Rosebery and His Family, Sotheby's, House Sale, 27 May 1977, lot 3589, where purchased by the present owner.
Silver from Mentmore (lots 2022-2025)
Mentmore Towers, usually referred to simply by the mononym ‘Mentmore’, is the 19th-century country house built for the Rothschild family in Buckinghamshire in the 1850s to the designs of Sir Joseph Paxton. The house was designed in the so-called ‘Jacobethan’ style for Baron Mayer de Rothschild, from the banking family and a celebrated collector, as a country home but probably as importantly as a gallery for his famous collection of fine and decorative art.
The Baron and Baroness de Rothschild spent over twenty years living in the house surrounded by their celebrated collections until their deaths in 1874 and 1877 respectively. The couple had only one child and so Hannah de Rothschild was to become the richest woman in Britain as her father’s sole heiress, inheriting the house, estates and art collection. Hannah went on to marry, in 1878, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and 1st Earl of Midlothian, becoming Hannah Primrose, Countess of Rosebery.
The estates thus passed into the family of the Earls of Rosebery, first to Hannah’s son Albert Edward, 6th Earl and then to her grandson Neil, 7th Earl. The family seat of the Earls of Rosebery was traditionally Dalmeny House in West Lothian and so by the 1940s the Mentmore estates had become somewhat redundant and costly to maintain. For this reason much of the land was sold in 1944, though with the house and village retained by the family. This state of affairs was to continue until 1974 when, on the death of the 6th Earl, the executors began to explore the possibilities for the sale of the house and contents, with the hope it could be sold to the nation to be preserved as a heritage property.
It was initially the intention that the contents could be negotiated for sale to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax but this was refused by the then Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan. Later the possible sale of the house and contents to the nation for £2 million was suggested but this too was refused and so, after several years of discussion, Sotheby’s were instructed by the executors to present the collection for auction in May 1977 in what was to be described as ‘The Sale of the Century’. The sale ran for ten days selling everything from the paintings on the walls, the furniture in the grand salons, the silver in the strongroom to the kitchen wares and furniture from the servant’s quarters.
Sold for £350
Estimated at £400 - £600
Each fully marked under base and further part marked inside cover. The marks are generally clear. Further stamped underneath with retailers name. There is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. The glass liners are differing and one or both have perhaps been replaced. There is some minor pitting to the surface in some areas and some minor bruises.
We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.
Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.
We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.
Auction: Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver, 13th Jul, 2024
A dazzling selection of rings are on offer in the Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale, led by two impressive diamond rings from private collections. The first is a Diamond Three Stone Ring, which has a significant total diamond content of 6.25 carat approximately. The second is a Diamond Two Stone Twist Ring, featuring old cut diamonds with a total estimated diamond weight of 5.00 carat. For those seeking colour, a Sapphire and Diamond Ring from the Victorian era features an old pear cut sapphire and old cut diamonds, and an Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring has a central Colombian emerald.
An extremely fine and rare 1968 Omega First Generation/Second Execution Professional Exotic Red Racing Speedmaster Chronograph Wristwatch is one of the outstanding lots in the Watch section of the sale. This is joined by a 2021 Rolex 18 Carat Everose Gold and Diamond Set Day/Date Wristwatch, a 2014 Breguet 18 Carat White Gold Classique Wristwatch, and 2016 Patek Philippe 18 Carat Rose Gold Annual Calendar Wristwatch. Amongst the pocket watches in the sale is a very rare Cartier Art Deco Ultra Slim 18 Carat Gold Open Faced Pocket Watch, made in 1935.
The sale also includes a selection of silver, purchased in the legendary 1977 ‘Sale of the Century’ at Mentmore Towers, conducted by Sotheby’s. Mentmore is a grand country house, built for the Rothschild family in Buckinghamshire in the 1850s. Highlights of Mentmore silver on offer in the sale include a Pair of Edward VII Silver Inkwells by Sebastian Garrard, London, 1904. The inkwells belonged to Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and 1st Earl Midlothian, who married Hannah de Rothschild, only heir of Baron Meyer de Rothschild. Amongst several lots of Chinese silver in the sale is a Five-Piece Chinese Export Silver Tea and Coffee Service, retailed by Nanking Store, Shanghai in the first quarter of the 20th century, each piece chased with dragons and with handles cast in the shape of bamboo. Further highlights include a Victorian Silver Tea Tray by Stephen Smith and William Nicholson, London, 1853 decorated with the coat-of-arms of the Holdsworth family, and a Pair of William III Silver Tazze by Joseph Sheene, London, 1698.
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Sunday 7 July to Friday 12 July 11am-4pm and morning of sale from 8am
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