A collection of early 20th century Chinese silver attracted wide interest at Catherine Southon’s (18% buyer’s premium) September 6 sale at Selsdon, south London.
The pieces, originally bought by built by a British engineer who spent 20 years with his family in China until the 1930s, contributed 19 lots.
Items made to Chinese taste with enamel decoration were particularly popular, with a pair of 11in (27.5cm) tall vases, (one pictured right) decorated with chrysanthemums leading proceedings. Dating to c.1910, these had some damage to the enamels but, estimated at £500-800, sold to a phone at £3800.