Bids fly in for silver swan centrepiece from Burton Market Hall valuation day

Bids fly in for silver swan centrepiece from Burton Market Hall valuation day

BIDS flew in from all over the world as a silver swan centrepiece from Burton sold at auction for £6,600.

Taking the form of a realistically textured swan complete with gold-plated beak, the Elizabeth II table centrepiece went under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers on Monday, March 4.

It was consigned to auction by a Burton woman following a valuation with Mr Winterton at the family firm’s unit at Burton Market Hall.

Hotly contested online and in person at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, the silver swan was eventually won by a bidder in the room.

Auctioneer Mr Winterton said: “This beautiful silver centrepiece came in at a Burton upon Trent valuation day, which was very appropriate given Burton’s connection with the swan.

“We had interest from all over the world and were really looking forward to seeing this swan fly at auction.

“It was wonderful to see this lot achieve such a strong result.”

Auctioneer Richard Winterton with the silver swan.

Hallmarked CJ Vander Ltd London 1971, the swan has an open centre revealing a removeable, metal mesh separator for flower arrangement.

The 36cm-long silver centrepiece stands 28cm tall, 20cm wide and weighs an impressive 4.7kg excluding the mesh interior.

Swans and Burton have a strong association, from real Royal birds making their home on the River Trent to the iconic swan sculpture in Stapenhill Gardens, created by Burton Corporation Parks Department in 1953 – the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

In 2020, super-sized swan sculptures brightened Burton’s town centre during the summer before they were auctioned off for charity by Richard Winterton Auctioneers, raising in excess of £11,000 for YMCA Burton.

The realistically textured silver swan with gold-plated beak weighs 4.7kg.

The beloved bird’s name also appears in the titles of numerous landmarks, roads, hotels, pubs and sports teams in Burton and Staffordshire.

Famed for its grace and beauty, the iconic mute swan is considered romantic as it often partners for life and two birds’ long necks can form the shape of a love heart.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers free antiques valuations at Burton Market Hall on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm and Saturdays 10am-12pm. For valuation options at other times, call 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Free home visits for large collections and house clearance quotations are also available.