LONDON.- Leading London silver dealer, Koopman Rare Art, is once again showing an outstanding selection of superlative silver masterpieces and exquisite gold boxes at TEFAF Maastricht, the world’s leading art and antiques event, at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre (MECC) from 11 to 20 March 2016, (Stand 156).

Among the highlights presented on the Koopman stand is a magnificent William IV silver-gilt ewer by one of London’s most famous silversmiths, Paul Storr. The ewer, which stands an impressive 52cms high and is dated 1831, is a perfect example of Storr’s brilliance. Of baluster shape, it is masterfully cast and chased with opulent friezes of sea creatures, mermaids, tritons, dolphins and seahorses and has a flamboyant griffin spout. The ewer is extravagance at its most lavish and exuberant and was previously in the collection of King Farouk I of Egypt and Sudan. It has an asking price of £325,000.

This important piece by Storr was not included in the recent highly successful exhibition Art in Industry: The silver of Paul Storr, which was held in Koopman’s London gallery last October. Nor was the stunning pair of silver gilt wine coolers dating from 1834. Designed to look like simple woven baskets, the rims cascade with grapes and leaves on the vine. These wine coolers and are the perfect example of the exceptional naturalism that Storr became famous for in the 1830s (asking price £250,000).

Timo Koopman, Director of Koopman Rare Art said: “Our recent exhibition, which was the first and the largest exhibition to date devoted to Paul Storr, not only reaffirmed the importance of this famous silversmith but confirmed our position as the pre-eminent dealers in silver by Paul Storr. We are delighted, therefore, to treat the TEFAF audience with the opportunity to view and appreciate a fresh exhibition of silver by this distinguished silversmith.”

Several outstanding pieces by Storr, which were featured in the exhibition, are also being shown at TEFAF. These include a monumental William IV presentation vase engraved with the arms of Lygon for the 4th Earl of Beauchamp (asking price £425,000) and an exceptional Warwick vase on stand, 1819-1821, which was gifted by the legislature of the island of Antigua to James Anthill, who served as the island’s Chief Justice. The vase was also mentioned in Anthill’s will of 1822 (asking price £160,000).

Other great examples of British silver presented by Koopman Rare Art, include a magnificent Pagoda style George III epergne, the term given to a large and ornamental centrepiece, which became fashionable in Europe in the early 1700s. Bearing the makers marks of Thomas Pitts, London 1763, this is a particularly decorative example and features many charming details and motifs such as its crowning pineapple – it has an asking price of £195,000. There is also a splendid pair of Georgian pilgrim flasks, dating from 1828 (£195,000) and a monumental Centrepiece made by Robert & Sebastian Garrard in 1877 for the Worshipful Company of Grocers, one of the great 12 Livery Companies of the City of London (£190,000).

Among exceptional pieces of European silver are a classic French centrepiece dating from the1890s with the maker’s mark of Veuve Flament & Leon Champenois, Paris (£120,000) and an extremely stylish French 1930s Art Deco tea and coffee service with the maker's mark of Tetard Frères (£12,500).

A simple but elegant engraved Dutch beaker, which dates from circa 1656, is a good example of its kind (asking price £12,500), while a German silver Nef, comes in the form of a Dutch fluyt or schooner with billowed sails and bears London import marks with the date of 1925 (£23,000). Also of note is an imposing Austrian jardinière centrepiece by eminent Viennese silversmith and purveyor Josef Carl von Klinkosch (1822-1888), whose silver was in demand by the Imperial Court as well Austrian noble and upper class families (£55,000).

Turning to silver from across the Atlantic a large, imposing American punch bowl, which dates from circa 1900, is of circular shape raised on a base of three moose head supports depicted swimming through an engraved rippled pond with motifs of lily pads and floating flowers floating (asking price £34,000).

As always, wine related silver features strongly. Significant examples include a striking pair of George IV silver "grapevine" wine coolers by Edward Barnard & Sons, London 1829 (£65,000) and an early Victorian amethyst glass claret jug, encased in a pierced silver body formed of naturalistic vine, grape and leaf motifs and bearing the makers mark of Charles Reily & George Storer, London 1839 (£25,000).

Among a choice selection of gold boxes is an extremely rare gold mounted mother-of-pearl snuffbox, dating from circa 1730 and thought to be of South Netherlandish origin. The cover is beautifully carved with a biblical scene of David tending his sheep before his fight with Goliath, while the base represents David espying Bathsheba for the first time bathing (£27,000).

Aficionados of Handel will be delighted by an early 18th century gold box which opens to reveal a miniature painting of the German composer on the inside lid (£38,500). Another notable gold box, dating from the early 19th century, bears a striking enamelled portrait by the French miniaturist artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey of Napoleon (asking price £45,000).

Lewis Smith, Director of Koopman Rare Art, “The market for top quality silver items remains extremely buoyant and becomes ever more global, with serious buyers from China and the Middle East entering into the collecting arena.

“Today’s silver collectors are highly sophisticated connoisseurs. Not only are they extremely well informed they are constantly refining their taste and appreciation. They understand the importance of maker, provenance, quality of design and workmanship. As such, therefore, they are prepared to pay for it. Hence it is vital that we continue to service their expectations by sourcing only the best pieces.

“While the majority buy for pleasure and enjoyment, often the intrinsic value of top quality silver and its investment potential gives an additional feeling of security.

“Not surprisingly many of our clients collect in other fields too – paintings, furniture – as well as contemporary art. Classic silver pieces work well in sleek, minimalist, modern, interiors.

“As always we are delighted to be showing such a wide range of exceptional silver masterpieces at TEFAF 2016.”