NEW YORK, NY.- The Fine Furniture, Silver, Decorative Arts & Clocks auction at Bonhams New York on 4 March will feature a very strong selection of silver by Paul Storr (1771-1884), recognized as one of the world’s finest silversmiths.

Storr began his career as an apprentice to Swedish-born silversmith, Andrew Fogleberg, under whose tutelage Storr’s interest in neo-Classical design flourished. His talent earned him the patronage of several powerful figures, including King George III, Admiral Lord Nelson, and the third Duke of Portland. In his later life he was associated with the Royal Goldsmiths: Rundell, Bridge and Rundell.

“The consistency of his superior craftsmanship, unique designs and the high quality of silver made Storr the legend that he remains today,” said Aileen Ward, Director of the Silver & Objects of Vertu department at Bonhams.

Important Paul Storr items in this auction are:

· A set of four George IV sterling silver-covered breakfast dishes (1829), which are estimated at $30,000-50,000. The domed covers on each dish bear the shield, coronet, supporters and motto of Charles Sackville Germain, the Duke of Dorset (1720-1843). The Duke lived in Knole, the great house standing in 5000 acres of Kent parkland, which was a palace for both Kings and Archbishops before it became the home of the Sackville family for ten generations. Its 365 windows, 52 rooms and 12 staircases were memorably chronicled by Vita Sackville-West.

· Two graduated Regency sterling silver oval meat dishes (1816), which are estimated at $20,000-30,000. The dishes are engraved with the arms of Robert Townley Parker (1793-1879), who served as Member of Parliament for Preston from 1837 to 1857.

· An unusual William IV sterling silver soufflé dish (1831), estimated at $4,000-6,000, is engraved with the arms of Errington, ancient Northumberland family whose name and estate is mentioned in documents of the reign of King Stephen (1135-54).

· A pair of George IV sterling silver sauce tureens from 1820 and 1822, which are estimated at $10,000-15,000. They are engraved with the arms of Newman of Ludgran and Gluvias, Cornwall.

Other notable lots add to the great diversity of this season’s selection of fine silver. They include remarkable American, English and Continental pieces from estates and private collections:

· An American parcel-gilt sterling silver two-handled footed vase (c. 1893), possibly designed by John T. Curran of Tiffany & Co., which is estimated at $20,000-30,000. On 1 May 1868, Charles L. Tiffany merged the company’s silversmith business with that of Edward C. Moore. The merger spurred the company’s greatest period of silver-making, with new forms and styles of decoration being introduced, including motifs from Asian, Native American and Islamic art.

· An American hammered sterling silver and mixed-metal Japanesque tea caddy by Tiffany & Co. (c. 1880). It is estimated at $12,000-18,000. Decorated with naturalistic applied copper, gold and mokume decoration.

· A pair of Danish hammered sterling silver two-light candelabra by Georg Jensen Silversmithy from Copenhagen (c. 1925-32), which are estimated at $12,000-18,000.

· An Italian sterling silver Etruscan vase with a hammered surface by Mario Buccellati (b. 1968). Buccellati began working in 1919 and, after opening shops in Rome, Milan and Florence, expanded overseas by opening stores on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 1956 and Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue in 1958. It is estimated at $10,000-15,000.