DALLAS, TX.- From its intrinsic value to its reflection of tastes, history and culture, silver has an allure that continues to draw us in. Throughout history, silversmiths have created treasures reflecting their clientele’s status, to be used for social rituals, to commemorate an event or as a gift ranging from birth to diplomacy. Garrard & Co., the official Crown Jewelers by appointment from Queen Victoria, stands out among such esteemed silversmiths.

Queen Victoria’s appointment marked Garrard’s as a symbol of unmatched quality and prestige but also set a standard for royal commissions and the crafting of ceremonial pieces that resonate with the power and elegance of the British monarchy. Garrard’s legacy is not merely about the silver it has crafted but the stories each piece tells — of empires and eras, of celebrations and ceremonies. For instance, the bacchanal-themed silver wine cistern crafted by R & S Garrard & Co. in 1903 and offered in Heritage’s May 16 Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu Signature® Auction exemplifies such a work of art.

Adorned with the British royal coat of arms, this masterpiece, with its exquisite craftsmanship, is not just a vessel but a narrative in silver, reflecting the opulent tastes of the Edwardian era, a period marked by its pursuit of beauty and sophistication in art and design. Its design and motifs reference George II’s works but show a boldness far more exuberant than its predecessor. The bold double prow vessel features the royal coat of arms on both sides and figureheads on each end framing a frieze of putti playing between clusters of grapes. All rest on a base of female forms and lion masks rising from swirling feet with lion claws.

The cistern’s journey from 1903 to the present day is punctuated by mystery. In 1957 it was presented as a trophy to the winning horse’s owner in the Michigan Mile, a now-defunct American Thoroughbred horse race. Later the vessel was displayed at Churchill Downs before returning to the family of the current owner, who has consigned the nearly 60-pound cistern to Heritage Auctions.

“The cistern surpasses its initial status as a luxury item to embody a historical artifact that bridges continents and cultures,” says Karen Rigdon, Heritage’s Vice President of Fine Silver & Decorative Arts. “This piece unites British aristocracy with American sportsmanship and garners universal appreciation for its artistry, marking a significant point in the confluence of history, luxury and sports.”

The Garrard & Co. cistern is but one of the many magnificent pieces in Heritage’s May 16 auction, a treasure trove of fine objects amassed from around the world. Among the lots are works from collectors with focused interests and an eye for excellent design and craftsmanship.

The Nelkin Collection, amassed over decades by the late philanthropist Ruth Sylvia Nelkin of Stamford, Connecticut, and New York City, has incredible depth in a number of collection areas. Highlights in the May 16 auction, one of the first in a series of Heritage auctions presenting works from The Nelkin Collection, include several unexpected works in gold. Among the standouts are a three-piece Tiffany & Co. 18k gold tea service from 1905-1907; a circa 1890 French 18k vari-color gold, diamond and ruby photo frame; and an 18k gold cigarette case by Cartier.

The Nelkin Collection also features a fine selection of Cartier clocks, including a circa 1910 Cartier agate, diamond, 18k gold, guilloché enamel and vermeil calendar clock, as well as an unexpected work in silver by Elkington & Co.: a 16-piece Aesthetic Movement vari-color partial gilt silver drinking set from 1882, complete in its original chest.

The auction also offers Property from the Collection of David Diamond and Karen Zukowski of New York, New York. Their collection focuses on American silver and reflects their shared joy in whimsical design. Highlights include a circa 1880 Whiting Mfg. Co. hand-hammered Japonesque silver pitcher. Originally retailed by W.M. Wilson & Son of Philadelphia, the pitcher has a hand-hammered ground featuring applied crab on a bed of chased overlapping oyster shells and seaweed. Other top lots from the wide-ranging collection include 58 Gorham Mfg. Co. Medallion pattern silver flatware place and serving pieces circa 1864 and a modernist 93-piece International Silver Co. Vision pattern silver partial service for 14 designed by Ronald Hayes in 1961.

In addition to major works by Garrard & Co., the auction features wonderful pieces by other top British silversmiths, including Paul Storr and Paul de Lamerie. The auction’s Asian selection is also rich, including a fine 19th-century silver dragon centerpiece bowl and an intricate 19th-century Japanese silver Lotus water fountain with applied insects and water creatures emerging from the “pond” and climbing the stalks.

There’s also an extensive Tiffany & Co. Circus collection, including the hard-to-find carousel and triceratops.