LONDON.- An exceptional group of antique silver masterpieces is being assembled by leading London silver dealers, Koopman Rare Art, in advance of TEFAF Maastricht, one of the world’s most prestigious annual art and antiques fairs. The event takes place at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre (MECC) and runs from March 10 to 19, 2017.

Koopman Rare Art has an international reputation for being the pre-eminent dealer to focus on exceptional silver from the mid to late 18th century, through the Regency period and beyond, with a particular bias towards two of the most important silversmiths of the age notably Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751) and Paul Storr (1771–1844).

The two Pauls, de Lamerie and Storr, together with the other great silversmiths of the period, both in England and on the continent, were fortunate to live and work in a time when silver was an absolute necessity. Silver was the number one luxury choice throughout the house, combining a practical function with lavish ostentation.

This is perfectly demonstrated by a highly important, monumental three-piece centrepiece, by Paul Storr, dated 1817, which will take pride of place on the Koopman Rare Art stand. Bearing the coat-of-arms of the Talbot family, having been commissioned by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot of Hensol, this exceptional garniture was, until recently, part of the distinguished collection of Robert de Balkany (1931-2015), a man renowned for his exquisite taste. With a passion for silver, Robert de Balkany amassed one of the most important collections of 18th and 19th century European decorative arts and Old Master paintings (asking price £750,000).

A superb pair of George III four-light candelabra also by Paul Storr, dated 1811, is similarly noteworthy and is representative of one of Storr’s most successful and popular models (asking price £390,000).

Both Paul de Lamerie and Paul Storr were quick to respond to the evergrowing demand for silver for the dining table: serving dishes, meat plates, entrée dishes, with various tureens and sauceboats providing receptacles for the growing fashion for soups, stews and sauces.

Paul de Lamerie, for instance was commissioned to produce an extensive and opulent silver dinner service for Sackville Tufton, 7th Earl of Thanet (1688 – 1753), which became known amongst collectors as the Thanet dinner service.

Koopman Rare Art is delighted to be offering a number of pieces from this famous service including a pair of circular serving dishes (asking price £65,000), a suite of four second course dishes (asking price: £20,000), a pair of rectangular meat dishes (asking price: £19,000), a highly unusual serving dish with gadrooned border, cast handles and a cover with strapwork decoration (asking price: £15,000), as well as an elegant meat dish and mazarine (asking price: £21,000).

Notable examples of Paul Storr’s silver for the dining table include an extremely rare set of 12 dinner plates (asking price: £27,000), 18 George III silver gilt dessert plates by Paul Storr, of 1798 (asking price: £65,000), an outstanding George III soup tureen of 1811 (asking price: £75,000), in addition to a complete set of flatware for 12 place settings of the popular Coburg pattern (asking price: £55,000).

A grandiose pair of silver-gilt wine coolers in the Egyptian style by Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith, a partnership, which existed for a mere 5 years (1802 to 1807), shows how much importance was placed on the serving of wine. Hallmarked London, 1805 the design of the wine coolers is based on an original drawing by Jean-Jacques Boileau and reflectsthe 'French Empire' style. They were commissioned by Thomas 3rd Baron Foley (1780-1833), as either part of John Nash's major reconstruction of the family seat, Witley Court, Worcestershire or to celebrate Foley’s marriage in 1806 (asking price in the region of £550,000).

Similarly important is an incredibly rare set of 12 wine coasters, by Paul Storr. Eight of these have a central silver button engraved with the coronet and crest of Baron Ogilvie, Earl of Airlie, while four have a central silver button engraved with a Viscount's coronet and crest of a Wheat Sheaf inside the Order of the Bath (asking price: £95,000).

Today the artistry, craftsmanship and sheer brilliance of these elegant fabulously ostentatious masterpieces remain ever relevant today.

Lewis Smith, Director of Koopman Rare Art; said: “Although our modern lifestyles are faster and more exacting, there is a surprisingly high demand and appreciation for elegant antique silver to add an element of luxury to 21st century living and entertaining.

“Likewise, wine aficionados are realising that their top quality wines deserve to be served with appropriate respect – hence there is a renewed interest in wine coolers, coasters and other wine related silver. And given the universal popularity of tea and coffee, exceptional silver tea and coffee services remain ever popular, despite all the mod-con machines.

“Discerning individuals realise that antique silver is not only an investment it enhances our lives in a pleasurable and practical way. There is nothing like stunning silver to set the scene and create a stylish ambience, and more importantly it looks good in any setting – a period property, a modern loft style apartment, even on a private jet or super yacht. Added to which silver effortlessly complements any collections, be-they old master paintings or contemporary art. Silver was and remains one of life’s special luxuries.”