LONDON.- Lewis Smith, Director of Koopman Rare Art, leading London silver dealer said: “We are delighted to report that the positive response and lively atmosphere which was noticeable from the first day of TEFAF Maastricht 2017 continued until the close of play on Sunday March 19.”

Exceptional examples of silver by Paul Storr (1771-1844) remain in demand and numerous pieces by this outstanding English silversmith, including soup tureens, sauce tureens and a set of 18 silver-gilt dessert plates with the arms of Thomas Hope, dating from 1798, all sold. The dedicated “Storr” room, which is now a regular feature of the Koopman Rare Art stand, proves extremely popular and invariably draws people in. In addition a few of the highly important Storr pieces, which were shown at TEFAF have also been spoken for.

Among other highlights sold was a magnificent silver-gilt tray bearing the arms of Talbot for Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot of Hensol. (Asking price: in the region of £250,000). Made in 1805 by Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith, the tray is featured in Koopman Rare Art’s latest catalogue Antique Silver – Modern Times, which illustrates significant pieces from Koopman’s collection of recent acquisitions. In fact a number of pieces included in the catalogue have now sold.

There was also an exceptional level of interest in the impressive collection of gold boxes on display. Most notably a particularly fine English 19th century gold box, with a delightful portrait of a large dog on its lid depicted in Italian micromosaic by Alexander Strachan (1774-1850), found a new home. The box now joins a collection on the East coast of the United States. (Asking price in the region of £50,000).

“Interest in top quality antique silver is global,” said Lewis Smith. “It is not confined to a particular region. Our customers this year came from the Far East, including mainland China, Australia, the UK, the States, as well as Russia and all over Europe. As always they included private collectors and important museums, and a number bought from us for the first time, which is always key.

“TEFAF Maastricht is a slick, sophisticated, highly effective, well-run operation. This is reflected in the exceptional level of leading dealers who take part bringing with them the most outstanding variety of museum quality art works across a range of collecting disciplines and spanning centuries. As a consequence TEFAF Maastricht is regarded as a leading European art hub and has become a must-visit, annual fixture for all serious art collectors, aficionados and art history students.”