DALLAS, TX.- Extraordinary and rare examples from history's finest silversmiths and manufacturers — including a pair of Paul Storr Silver Wine Coolers, circa 1808-09 (est. $50,000+) — highlights Heritage Auction's spring presentation of Fine Silver & Vertu auction April 12 in Dallas. More than 300 lots range from one of a kind examples by Tiffany & Co., and Gorham Manufacturing Co. along with classics by Whiting Mfg. Co. and Dominic & Haff.

"This auction offers collectors a strong group of American late 19th century work showing the wide range of inspiration characterizing these years," said Karen Rigdon, Director of Silver and Decorative Arts at Heritage. "From Russian and Persian to Japanese inspired forms and decoration, this auction offers a wide range of special examples hand-selected for our clients this season."

Examples of late 19th century Japanese inspired works include a three-piece Tiffany & Co. Silver Demitasse Set, circa 1902-1907, decorated exuberantly with applied marine motifs, the coffee pot with seahorse swimming through tendrils of kelp (est. $7,000). A Dominick & Haff Acid-Etched Silver Water Pitcher, New York, New York, circa 1887 (est. $3,000), richly illustrated with an acid-etched oceanic scene of swimming fish through waves and vegetation, and a Tiffany & Co. Japanesque Silver Brush Holder-Form Vase, circa 1873-1891 (est. $4,000).

Leading an important selection of Renaissance revival silver by Tiffany & Co. silver is a Monumental Acid-Etched Silver Tray, New York, New York, circa 1873-1891 (est. $25,000). Measuring a grand 28-1/4 inches in diameter, the acid-etched tray depicts men and women in courting and dancing scenes. A unique, Tiffany & Co. Silver Humidor makes a rare appearance at auction, bearing the SPECIAL HAND WORK mark which was used on pieces of exceptional quality created by the firm during the early 20th century. The design attributed to Arthur Leroy Barney, features lovely Renaissance revival strapwork and graceful floral patterning centering a cartouche engraved CHRISTMAS 1928 (est. $10,000).

Selections from Gorham Manufacturing Co., Providence, Rhode Island, include a fine selection of Martelé silver including a stunning Martelé Silver Center Bowl, circa 1907 which bears a rare facsimile signature of WC Codman, the chief designer of this silver line. According to the Gorham Archives, the center bowl required 50 hours to produce plus an additional 88 hours of chasing (est. $10,000). Another rare and elegant example is the15 inches high Gorham Martelé Silver Geranium Vase, circa 1905, which required 82 hours of chasing (est. $8,000).

Masterworks by silversmiths range to the 21st century with a Four-Piece Silver and Rosewood Tea Service by Michael and Maureen Banner of Monterey, Massachusetts (est. $20,000). The highly sought-after set is comprised of a futuristic-looking teapot, covered sugar, covered creamer and tray, with the handle of the teapot and creamer sweeping upward in the duo's signature tale-like motion.

American Russian-inspired works include a Whiting Mfg. Co. Silver Coffee Pot with meticulous Trompe L'Oeil Design. The coffee pot was part of a series of textile-inspired designs manufactured by Whiting in the early 1880s (est. $700).

A Persian-inspired Gorham Copper and Silver Turkish-Form Coffee Pot displays a delicate honeycomb-hammered surface and a silver banded collar (est. $1,500).

A selection of English hollowware includes an Elkington Weighted Silver Vase Presented by Queen Victoria to her Daughter Princess Helena (est. $5,000). Made in Birmingham, England, the vase is graced with the inscription: with inscription TO CHRISTIAN AND HELENA, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SILVER WEDDING, FROM THEIR AFFECTIONATE MAMA, VICTORIA RI, July 5th 1891.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:

· A Smith, Tate & Co. Silver British Naval Presentation Hot Water Urn, Sheffield, England, circa 1819 (est. $7,000).

· Numerous Flatware Service sets, including a 72-piece Chrysanthemum Pattern Silver Flatware Service for 12 by Tiffany & Co. (est. $6,000).

· A large Acid-Etched Silver Bacchanalian Flask by Tiffany & Co., circa 1892-1902, engraved in Latin PRO FIDE ET PATRIA (For Faith And Homeland), (est. $1,500).

· A Tiffany & Co. Aesthetic Movement Chased Silver Water Pitcher, circa 1880 (est. $2,500).

· Tiffany & Co. Acid-Etched Silver and Intaglio Glass Flask Made for the Columbian Exposition, circa 1893 (est. $1,500).