Bonhams Lists Silver and Objects of Vertu Auction Scheduled to End 21 October 2026

The upcoming auction of Silver and Objects of Vertu including A Private Collection of Indian and Burmese Silver is listed on Bonhams' official calendar, scheduled to end 21 October 2026. This specialized sale brings together exceptional examples of colonial and continental metalwork, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship of silversmiths from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Among the premier offerings is a fine large nineteenth-century Burmese silver offering bowl, which showcases the elaborate narrative traditions of the region. The bowl is decorated with detailed repoussé work, featuring a central frieze with eight distinct panels that illustrate local folklore and ritual scenes, including a family carriage drawn by horses and figures resting beneath trees. Another major highlight of colonial metalwork is a rare and exceptional nineteenth-century Indian silver water jug from Madras, designed in the distinctive 'Swami' style. This double-skinned vessel features highly detailed depictions of Hindu deities, including Durga riding a lion and another figure, likely Vishnu, on horseback, with a spout fashioned in the form of a mythical makara or Garuda. From continental Europe, the sale features a monumental German silver and parcel-gilt tankard by August Hosse of Halle, which is adorned with a pierced sleeve depicting the biblical story of Esther and a figural handle shaped as an angel.

The sale of these intricate objects follows several notable auctions on the house's autumn calendar. In October, Bonhams held the 20th and 21st Century Art Day Sale, which realized £1,878,430^[1], and the 20th and 21st Century Art Evening Sale, which brought in £4,654,200^[1]. Additionally, the Modern Decorative Art & Design Including the Strobel Collection of Art Pottery in October achieved £825,166^[1]. These sales demonstrate the steady demand for decorative arts and fine collectibles in the current market.

Within the broader context of the decorative arts and design market, this category has seen significant activity, with a total of $170,651,546^[1] realized across all tracked auction houses this year, maintaining an average sell-through rate of 81.4%^[1]. While Christie's leads the category globally, Bonhams remains a major competitor in the space. Across all categories, Bonhams has achieved a year-to-date total of £112,149,946^[1] in realized value, representing an overall sell-through rate of 79.8%^[1]. In terms of USD, the house's year-to-date total across all its sales stands at $418,797,987^[1]. By realized value, the upcoming silver sale is positioned as Bonhams's # sale of 327 concluded this year, highlighting its role within the house's seasonal calendar.

The catalog for this sale highlights the diverse origins of the pieces on offer, ranging from the elaborate colonial silver of India and Burma to classic European designs. The Burmese offering bowl carries an estimate of £20,000 to £30,000, reflecting its exceptional size and the complexity of its narrative panels. The Madras water jug, possibly attributed to the prominent firm of Peter Orr and Sons, is estimated at £18,000 to £25,000, drawing interest for its rare 'Swami' style iconography. The monumental German tankard by August Hosse is estimated at £12,000 to £18,000, while a pair of cast Continental silver three-branch candelabra by Christofle, featuring classic French eighteenth-century stylistic motifs, carries an estimate of £10,000 to £15,000. Other notable lots include an extensive silver King's pattern flatware service, predominately by George Adams, estimated at £10,000 to £15,000, and a seventeenth-century German silver and parcel-gilt tankard by David Schwestermuller I, estimated at £8,000 to £12,000^[8][7]. A Danish silver serving suite by K. Hermann is also estimated at £8,000 to £12,000, and a yellow metal and gem-set cigarette case engraved by Mappin and Webb is estimated at £8,000 to £10,000^[9]. Collectors of fine metalwork will be watching these results closely as the sale concludes.