Review 2011

Cape Silver An 18th century Cape silver sugar basket, unknown maker HNS Sold R490 160, March 2011 The Du Plessis Collection of Cape Silver An expensive cup of coffee A Cape Silver coffee pot by an unknown 18th century Cape silversmith with the initials HNS last night sold for R512 400. This was followed closely by a Cape silver sugar basket by the same silversmith which sold for R490 160. The two pieces realised over R1million. These are the two most expensive pieces of Cape silver ever sold. Both pieces more than doubled the previous highest price paid for a piece of South African silver. These pieces were held in the Du Plessis family for six generations, having been first acquired in the 1780s. Both pieces featured on South African postage stamps issued in November 1985. Post sale press release, March 2011 68