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Karen's Picks
Karen Rigdon | Vice President, Fine Silver & Decorative Arts
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David Rosen's passion for American silver found its fullest expression in his remarkable collection of S. Kirk & Son's Baltimore Landscape silver, built over decades with the same curiosity and care that defined his life. My personal favorite from his collection is this double vegetable server, featuring richly detailed repoussé scenes of figures at work and leisure, crowned by a pomegranate finial. David's collection stands as a lasting testament to his knowledge, warmth, and collector's eye.
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Billy Williams' passion for Mexican silver began in childhood during summers at his grandparents' renowned hotel in Taxco, a gathering place for master silversmiths like William Spratling, Héctor Aguilar, and Antonio Pineda. Based in California, Billy has assembled a discerning collection through auctions, dealers, and online marketplaces, always seeking exceptional design and craftsmanship. Highlights include iconic works such as Spratling's Double Hand Necklace set with vivid Mexican malachite, prized for its rich blues and greens.
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Part of a large selection of Tiffany & Co. mixed metal objects, this striking water pitcher, circa 1875, is a tour de force of American silver. Its spot-hammered surface is enlivened by applied vines, insects, and mokume gourds in silver, copper, and brass-each naturalistic element pointing to the Japanese influence on Tiffany's technical brilliance and artistic daring at the height of its 19th-century innovation.
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Carolyn's Picks
Carolyn Mani | West Coast Director, Trusts and Estates
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The upcoming Spring Signature Silver auction offers a great diverse group of material from across the globe. I love the historical importance of Silver and how it has been utilized for hundreds of years as a symbol of wealth and status.
The following items embrace this ideology even though they represent three difference cultures and countries and are collected today for their beauty and elegance.
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This William Pitts silver salver is a remarkable example of early 19th-century craftsmanship from one of England's premier silversmiths. This exceptional piece showcases a richly detailed three-dimensional border adorned with flowers, birds, and elaborate scrollwork. Its chasing is truly distinctive, featuring masked faces and intricate Rococo motifs, all arranged around the heraldic device of the Baron Rossmore coat of arms, bearing the Latin motto Post Proelia Proemia-"After the Battle, Rewards." Likely displayed on the grand sideboard of Castle Rossmore, the charger would have served as a powerful symbol of the family's wealth and noble status. Though the castle was demolished in 1975, this extraordinary piece of history endures.
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Timeless elegance meets exceptional craftsmanship in this stunning set of French sterling silver flatware, originally designed in 1775 by renowned silversmith Nicolas Cornu. Believed to have been a favorite of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, the design features gracefully curved handles with intricate floral motifs that embody the refined Rococo style. Celebrated for over 250 years, this iconic pattern remains as desirable today as it was in the 18th century-a true symbol of sophistication, where beauty and function come together in perfect harmony.
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This elegant silver covered dish was designed and crafted by Georg Jensen in 1905, just a year after he founded his firm. Today, the renowned Danish silversmith is celebrated for his pioneering contributions to Art Nouveau design. This piece features one of his most iconic patterns, Blossom, which exemplifies the movement's organic style through delicate floral motifs that are not merely decorative, but integral to the form itself.
It stands out as one of the most quintessential examples of Art Nouveau in Jensen's oeuvre. The design is not simply embellished with natural elements-it is shaped by them, drawing inspiration from the natural world to create a unified, organic composition. As is characteristic of Jensen's work, the decoration is applied throughout the piece, resulting in a cohesive and expressive artistic statement.
The surface of the lid and base bears subtle hammer marks, a hallmark of Jensen's technique. These textural details diffuse light across the silver, giving it a soft, greyish shimmer evocative of moonlight.
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Xenia's Picks
Xenia Amaya | Cataloguer, Decorative Arts
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One of my absolute favorite lots in our upcoming Fine Silver Auction has got to be this Gorham Mfg. Co. tray. This monumental tray is bordered by an exuberant frieze of cherubic dancers with figures of joy and movement frozen in intricate repousse. I'm especially drawn to this piece's sheer theatricality as its dancers appear to perform for the viewer. The contrast between the smooth central well and ornate border draws me back every time!
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This set stands out to me for so many reasons. From the shimmer of the enamel scales, the sculpted heads, to the playful heart-shaped drops. Margot did a wonderful job of making the snakes appear alive with fluid movements. Striking from every angle, this set is sure to be a showstopper at any hour of the day. Happy bidding!
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Rebecca's Picks
Rebecca Campbell | Associate Specialist and Lead Cataloguer, Fine & Decorative Arts
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I'm so drawn to the way this 1847 ascos-form jug by John Samuel Hunt blends form and function. The classical inspiration - the shape nods to ancient vessels - feels surprisingly modern, almost like a piece of contemporary design. The piece is both delicate and dramatic, with beautifully restrained detailing. It's a piece that doesn't shout for attention, but commands it anyway.
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These four-light candelabra by the Nayler Brothers are a masterclass in modernist silverwork - and one of my absolute favorite lots in this sale. I love how the clean, architectural lines give them a sense of quiet confidence-they're bold without being flashy. The asymmetry adds just the right amount of tension, making them feel dynamic from every angle. They're the kind of pieces that elevate a space even when they're not lit.
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Browse and bid on these and other exceptional silver items from across the globe.
This auction closes May 9th at 10 am CT.
Sincerely,
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Karen Rigdon
Vice President,
Fine Silver &
Decorative Arts
KarenR@HA.com
(214) 409-1723
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Carolyn Mani
West Coast Director,
Trusts and Estates
CarolynM@HA.com
(310) 492-8614
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Xenia Amaya
Cataloguer,
Decorative Arts
XeniaA@HA.com
(214) 409-1907
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Rebecca Campbell
Associate Specialist and
Lead Cataloguer
RCampbell@HA.com
(214) 409-1948
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