A remarkable collection of antique silver items stumbled upon by an Edinburgh family in their attic has sold for nearly £60,000 at auction. More than 100 pieces of British and continental silver, dating from the early 18th to the early 20th centuries, were discovered as the family prepared to put a property in the city’s prestigious New Town up for sale.
Family members, who have chosen to remain anonymous, unearthed the items inside dusty chests, where they had lain untouched for the best part of a century. The collection went under the hammer at Elmwood’s auction house in London, where it had been anticipated to generate total bids of approximately £23,000.
However, the collection ultimately sold for an impressive £59,761, inclusive of a 25% buyer’s premium for the auction house.
The standout piece of the collection was Lot 15 – a magnificent set of Danish vintage cutlery, which commanded £5,200. The silverware had remained untouched for generations, with the family entirely oblivious to its existence or significance.
A spokesman for the Edinburgh family said: “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 had previously revealed that the find was made while clearing out their mother’s home, a property that has remained within the same family across generations. Various family members are believed to have contributed to the collection over the years, though awareness of its existence had gradually diminished in more recent times.
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.”
