Centrepiece takes the centre stage
A remarkable George IV silver-gilt centrepiece (right) led Christie’s March 22-23 sale of the Robert de Balkany collection after it was hammered down to London silver dealer Koopman Rare Art at £860,000 (plus buyer’s premium).
The 1128oz Hercules and the Hydra nine-light candelabra was made for the Duke of York by Edward Cornelius Farrell in 1824 under the direction of the retailer and antiquarian, Kensington Lewis (1790-1854).