Napkin ring collection set to shine

Part of the Lion Collection of Silver, including an important collection of napkin rings, will be sold at Tennants Auctioneers in North Yorkshire this March.

The collection was carefully curated by John L. Davis, who is renowned for his collections of tobacco boxes, caddy spoons, buckles and contemporary silver, all of which have been researched and published by the owner.

Tennants Silver Specialist Jeffrey Lassaline said of the collection: “It is rare a collection of such breadth and quality to appear on the market, but as the collector enters his eightieth year, we are delighted to have been asked to assist with finding these items new homes.” 

The collection comprises a fascinating group of Arts and Crafts silver, which offers fine pieces by some of the greatest makers and designers working in the first half of the 20th century such as Archibald Knox for Liberty, Henry George Murphy, Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, along with rare examples by the Keswick School of Industrial Arts.

The Arts and Crafts silver will be offered for sale in the 20th Century Design Sale on March 1. Highlights on offer include an Arts and Crafts silver and enamel vase made by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co. in 1901, estimated at £5,000-7,000; an Arts and Crafts silver and enamel biscuit box by Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, estimate of £4,000-6,000; and an Arts and Crafts silver-mounted wood mazer bowl and cover by Henry George Murphy, estimated at £3,000-5,000.  

Also on offer from the collection is an extraordinary collection of nearly 400 napkin rings, which will be sold in 150 lots across three sales.

Arts and Crafts examples, featuring pieces by some of the greatest names in early 20th century silversmithing will be sold in the 20th Century Design Sale on March 1. The Antiques and Interiors Sale on March 7 will offer 109 lots of napkin rings, including pieces by Liberty & Co. and Gerald Benney, and charming novelty examples such as those crafted in animal forms like and elephant and a seal. The final group will be offered in the Fine Jewellery and Watches Sale on March 15 and will include good Scottish examples as well as ones made in the later 20th century by silversmiths such as Chris Knight, Grant Macdonald and Graham Watling.