Edwardian wine cistern or racing trophy, £17,000 at Tennants.
Made by Barker Bros of Birmingham in 1904, weighing 329oz and measuring 2ft 1in (64cm) in width across the handles, the fluted and foliate chased cistern was set on a conforming stand engraved to one side with the arms of Beverley and to the other with initials.
Each side was also applied with a contemporary plaque, one reading Beverley Races 1905 The Memorial Plate of the Late William Watt Esq and the other Won by Mr C. F. Elsey’s “Winterfold” 3 Years Trained by Mr W. E. Elsey Ridden by E. Wheatley.
Tennants had guided the piece at £6000-8000 on March 16 but it ended up more than doubling the guide to take £17,000.
Irish make
Irish silver bougie box, £2500 at Tennants.
The auction in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, also generated keen competition for a much smaller item, a piece of mid-18th century Irish silver.
This was a 3½in (8.5cm) high bougie box (a desk top container for a coiled wax taper that could be lit to melt sealing wax).
Of typical cylindrical form and with a loop handle, it was made by William Williamson of Dublin and dated from c.1750. It was marked under the base with the maker’s mark, a crowned harp and Hibernia and also had the maker’s mark inside the cover.
Irish silver bougie box, £2500 at Tennants.
There was scroll and lattice engraving probably of later date to the rim and cover and a later engraved crest.
It had a break to the handle which also had a pierced hole, perhaps for a chain to attach the now missing snuffer. Nevertheless it proved to be in demand with bidding outstripping its £300-500 guide to reach £2500.
