Cooper Antiques Fairs Press Information P.O. Box 15 Burnham-on-Sea From Duncan Phillips Somerset HhhhhhhTA8 2BY Phillips Advertising & Publicity Tel: UK (0) 1278 784912 Tel: UK (0) 1460 432090 / 07980 832639 [email protected] [email protected] www.cooperevents.com www.antiquespr.com

______

Rare Silver Highlights Powderham Castle Antiques Fair

The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair Kenton, Exeter, , EX6 8JL 12th – 14th February 2010

A collection of rare antique silver hallmarked in Exeter will be a major attraction when it goes on sale at The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair, 12th – 14th February 2010.

Belonging to specialist silver dealer David Griffiths of Chapel Antiques from Exeter, the collection includes pieces from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods, all bearing the Exeter hallmark. Exeter opened its own Assay Office in 1701 when an Act of Parliament allowed the opening of five new provincial Assay Offices, in Exeter, Chester, York, Norwich and Bristol. It closed in 1883.

Throughout this period Exeter Assay Office was used by silversmiths in Barnstaple, Bodmin, Bridgwater, Bristol, Dartmouth, Dunster, Falmouth, Fowey, Launceston, Liskeard, Modbury, , Plymouth, Taunton, Tiverton, Topsham, and Truro. Today, silver with the Exeter hallmark is widely collected and many of the makers are well recorded.

Among the special pieces will be a rare George III period snuffer tray by Joseph Goss and Francis Parsons, dated 1811, priced at £1,850; a late 17th century provincial Trefid spoon by Daniel Slade of Exeter, dated 1693; a Victorian solid silver salver with floral decoration by the Bristol makers James and Josiah Williams, hallmarked 1873, priced at £685 and, also by James and Josiah Williams, a large silver cream jug, highly decorated and with seashells for the feet, hallmarked 1858, priced at £385 (shown here).

The top priced exhibit will be a rare 84-piece set of Queens Pattern canteen of silver cutlery in its original two-tier case, all with hallmarks for Exeter, 1865 and 1877, priced at £6,500. (A range of high-res images are available).

Widely described as the most prestigious event of its kind in the Southwest, The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair offers a rare opportunity to view and buy and wide range of art and antiques with prices to suit every pocket. Exhibits start from less than £30 for a Victorian silver spoon to more than £10,000 for the finest oil paintings and Georgian furniture.

Many exhibitors are long established West Country antiques specialists. Ashburton dealers Apollo Antiques will be showing furniture, ranging from Georgian and Victorian pieces to 1950s and 60s Scandinavian designer pieces; John Collins & Son from Bideford has 18th and 19th century town furniture and paintings, Chosen Antiques from Cornwall has West Country landscape and marine paintings, Domani from Exeter specialise in town and country furniture and Richard Hoppe from North Devon specialises in scent bottles and fine glass. (A range of high-res images are available.)

Powderham Castle is the historic family home of the . Standing in magnificent parklands, the medieval Castle of Powderham has views over the picturesque . Construction of Powderham Castle was started around 1390 by Sir Philip Courtenay, ancestor of the present Earl of Devon. It was extensively damaged during the Civil War and considerable restoration and alteration followed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the Castle offers a succession of magnificent Halls and State Rooms filled with lavish furnishings, tapestries and historic portraits of the Courtenay family, whose home the castle has been for over 600 years. The breathtaking Grand Staircase was once part of the Medieval Great Hall. A visit to the fair provides limited access to the rooms, where the fair is hosted.

Pubic Admission to the Fair 11am – 5pm daily. Admission: £5.00. Organised by Sue Ede, Cooper Antiques Fairs P.O.Box 15, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8 2BY Tel: UK (0)1278 784912 / Fax: UK (0)1278 792687 www.cooperevents.com \ [email protected]

Press Information & 300dpi images from Duncan Phillips, 2 Knapp Cottages, High Street, Thorncombe, Somerset TA20 4PQ. Tel: UK (0)1460 432090 [email protected]