A collection of antique silver items discovered by chance in an Edinburgh family's attic has sold for nearly £60,000 at auction, more than double its pre-sale estimate.
Discovery in the attic
More than 100 pieces of British and continental silver dating from the early 18th to the early 20th centuries were uncovered as the family prepared to sell a home in Edinburgh's New Town. The items were found inside dusty chests, having been packed away for nearly a century. Members of the family, who wish to remain anonymous, were completely unaware of the collection's existence or significance.
Auction results exceed expectations
The collection was put up for auction at Elmwood's auction house in London, where it was expected to attract total bids of around £23,000. However, it ended up fetching £59,761. The most expensive lot was Lot 15 – a set of fine Danish vintage cutlery, which sold for £5,200.
A spokesman for the Edinburgh family said: 'We're thrilled with the outcome and completely overwhelmed by the response to the collection. What began as an unexpected discovery while clearing the family home has turned into an extraordinary journey. It's wonderful to know these pieces, which lay hidden for so many decades, have found new homes with people who will appreciate their history and craftsmanship.'
Generational collection
The family had previously stated they made the discovery while clearing out their mother's home, which has been with the same family for generations. Different family members are thought to have added to the collection over the years, but knowledge of it faded in recent times.
Joe Kendrick, head of sales at Elmwood's auctioneers, said: 'We knew this was a special collection from the moment we first examined the pieces from the chests, but today's result exceeded even our expectations. Achieving £59,761 against a pre-sale estimate of £23,000 demonstrates the enduring appeal of fresh-to-market collections with exceptional provenance. Bidders responded not only to the quality and rarity of the silver, but also to the remarkable story behind its discovery after almost a century hidden away in an Edinburgh attic. It has been a privilege to bring these pieces back into the public eye and to see them begin a new chapter with collectors around the world.'
