Two French corkscrews were the top lots of Henry Aldridge & Son’s auction of the first tranche of a single-owner collection of around 450 examples.
A French 18th century corkscrew was hammered down for £12,000, against a £1500-2000 estimate at Henry Aldridge & Son.
The corkscrew has a three-sided seal – known as a betrothal seal. It depicts crests of the male and female line in a marriage, including a crown and conjoined oval shield with rampant lion, and phoenix bird above three crescents and stars. The third side is blank. The barrel decoration features gilt-pierced design with a wide flat ribbon-like helix screw of 4.5in (11.5cm).