Silver Bear Jug Fetches £17K At Market Harborough Auction

A rare silver jug shaped like a bear has sold for a whopping £17,000 at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough — over double its guide price.

The 150-year-old jug, made by renowned London silversmith Robert Hennell, was snapped up by a phone bidder on the same day global silver prices hit a record high.

Will Gilding with the rare bear shaped jug

Auctioneers say the quirky bear jug’s rarity, condition, and charm helped it smash expectations.

Other silver lots also performed strongly, as demand for fine silver continues to soar and Will Gilding, director at Gildings Auctioneers, said: “From the moment I saw the bear, I knew it had the potential to punch above its weight at auction thanks to its scarcity, stunning detail, great condition and of course its wonderfully appealing quirkiness, which has stood the test of time.

“However, the hammer falling at £17,000 surpassed all expectations and highlights both an unprecedented demand for silver and the excitement that can unfold when two determined bidders go head-to-head to get their hands on a coveted item.”