Silver was among the success stories of the wide-ranging, three-day sale at Hansons, in particular this 1705 Britannia standard chocolate pot (below right).
Standing 9½in (24cm) tall and weighing 20oz, the pot with a fruitwood handle was not ascribed to any maker but, apart from minor wear, had no damage or signs of restoration. A tempting estimate of £1000- 1500 brought interest from the London silver trade, but a dealer from the capital finally lost out to a private bid of £5200.