Peruvian Silver Tea Pot Soars Above Estimate to fetch over £10,000

An unmarked silver tea kettle emerged at Wimbledon Auctions 8th September Auction, appearing to be a colonial work from the 18th Century. Operating like a storm kettle, with an aperture to accept a heated metal rod, it featured bands of foliate scrolls and lions and cast winged figures to the handle and three supports. It was guided at £400-600 but made £10,625 including buyers premium. 

Turner said: “I found this in a local house; the vendor had inherited it from family and it had been in their possession for many years. It certainly had something unusual about it. Having sold hundreds of silver tea pots in my career, I had never seen one that looked quite like this. Lots of bidders were interested in this tea kettle, with multiple bids around the scrap value of £1500- 2000 or thereabouts."

“Then it was down to just two bidders, one on the phone and one on thesaleroom.com, to battle it out.  The final price was £8,500 plus buyers premium (£10,625). The buyer was overseas.  trade, and having had a delightful conversation with them afterwards, they informed us that it was Peruvian, probably late 18th century.  The kettle will now reside in a museum".