The concluding sale of television personality Michael Baggott's esteemed private silver collection has realised an impressive total of £112,891 at auction. This final instalment, held by Woolley And Wallis, surpassed its pre-sale valuation range of £71,100 to £97,700, marking a triumphant end to the dispersal of the late expert's treasured holdings.
Notable Lots and Historical Significance
Among the standout items was a finely engraved James I West-Country silver dish, crafted by silversmith Edward Harsell in 1620. This piece commanded £5,334, comfortably exceeding its upper estimate of £4,000. Another highlight was a 1672 Charles II provincial two-handled porringer by Thomas Mangy, which sold for £3,810. Historically, such shallow bowls were utilised for consuming soft foods like porridge or soup, and often served as symbols of affluence or as ceremonial christening gifts.
A Remarkable Silver Ingot
The auction also featured a particularly significant silver ingot, dating from June 1840. This solid block of refined metal, produced by pouring molten silver into a mould, fetched £762, far above its £300 top estimate. Unlike decorative coins, ingots were pragmatic objects used for storage, trade, or manufacturing processes.
This specific ingot originated from Mr Treffry's Smelting House in Par, Cornwall, during the region's peak metal production era. It was accompanied by a handwritten note stating it represented "the first successful silver produced at the smelting house", created by extracting silver from copper mined at Fowey Consol.
The Scope of Baggott's Collection
Michael Baggott's comprehensive York silver assemblage comprised over 550 individual pieces, spanning from the late 17th century through to 1858. Silver specialist Rupert Slingsby hailed it as "the most comprehensive collection of silver assayed in York ever to come onto the open market".
A Lifelong Passion for Antiques
Baggott's fascination with antiques was ignited in his youth when he saved £22 from his school dinner money to purchase a Chester silver vesta case. This early passion evolved into a distinguished career, including roles at Christie's auction house and as head of silver at Sotheby's Billingshurst.
The Birmingham-born expert was also a published author, penning works such as An Illustrated Guide To York Hallmarks 1776-1858 and As Found: A Lifetime In Antiques. He gained widespread recognition through his appearances on the BBC's daytime programme Flog It! during the 2000s, where he offered valuations on various silver items.
Following his death in January 2025 at age 51, this final auction completes the sale of his private collection, with two previous sales having already generated over £200,000. Baggott was widely respected as an authority on antique silver, with particular expertise in early spoons, boxes, and provincial and continental silverware.
