A Republican silver salver by William Egan, Cork, 1922 is at Sotheby’s Arts of Europe sale in London on November 6. Such pieces are very rare. At the height of the Civil War in Ireland the Cork silversmiths, Egans, continued to make pieces which they were unable to send to the Assay Office in Dublin. Less than 100 pieces were stamped with a special stamp made in Cork. Prized by collectors they are known as Republican Silver. This one is estimated at £8,000-12,000.
The auction will include a Victorian two handled tray by Richard West Smith, Dublin 1844 estimated at £7,000-10,000.
High quality silver and objects of vert are sought after by an increasing number of collectors around the world. Alice Bleuzen, specialist in silver and vertu at Sotheby’s in London will offer free appraisals in Dublin and countrywide on October 20-21. Sotheby’s Dublin office is located on Molesworth St..