The family was unaware of the existence or significance of the collection
A treasure trove of antique silver discovered by chance in a family’s attic has sold for nearly £60,000 at auction.
More than 100 pieces of British and continental silver, spanning from the early 18th to the early 20th centuries, were found as the family prepared to sell their New Town property.
The family members, who wish to remain anonymous, stumbled upon the items tucked away in dusty chests, where they had been stored for nearly a century. The collection went under the hammer at Elmwood’s auction house in London, where initial estimates suggested it would fetch approximately £23,000.
However, the final hammer price reached £59,761, including a 25% buyer’s premium for the auction house.
The star lot of the sale was Lot 15 – an exquisite set of Danish vintage cutlery, which commanded £5,200. The silverware had remained untouched across generations, with the family having no knowledge of either its existence or significance.
A spokesperson for the Edinburgh family commented: “We’re thrilled with the outcome and completely overwhelmed by the response to the collection. What began as an unexpected discovery while clearing the family home has turned into an extraordinary journey.
“It’s wonderful to know these pieces, which lay hidden for so many decades, have found new homes with people who will appreciate their history and craftsmanship.”
The family previously revealed they stumbled upon the treasure trove while sorting through their mother’s property, which has remained in the family for generations. Various relatives are believed to have contributed to the collection over the years, though awareness of its existence had diminished in recent decades.
Joe Kendrick, head of sale at Elmwood’s auctioneers, said: “We knew this was a special collection from the moment we first examined the pieces from the chests, but today’s result exceeded even our expectations.
“Achieving £59,761 against a pre-sale estimate of £23,000 demonstrates the enduring appeal of fresh-to-market collections with exceptional provenance.
“Bidders responded not only to the quality and rarity of the silver, but also to the remarkable story behind its discovery after almost a century hidden away in an Edinburgh attic.
“It has been a privilege to bring these pieces back into the public eye and to see them begin a new chapter with collectors around the world.”
