Private collection of antiques 'legend' goes under the hammer

Having worked for Christie’s for 57 years, Phillips was a legend in his field, admired for his curiosity and passion for his subject, his deep knowledge and his steadfast mentoring.

Garnering international interest, the collection offered over 180 lots of rare and early silver, jewellery from the ancient world through to the early modern period, intricate objects of vertu and a selection of key reference books.

After competitive bidding, there were numerous highlights that far exceeded pre-sale expectations, among which was a Louis XVI Two-Colour Gold, Jewelled and Enamel Bonbonniere by August-Gaspard Turmine, made in Paris in 1784-85, that was once in the collections of the Rothschild family that sold for £20,000.

A circa 1710 Maltese Silver Sugar-Bowl and Cover by Giovanni Carlo Vella sold well, too, at £7,500.

One of the earliest lots in the sale was a Greek Ring, possibly from the 3rd Century B.C. and featuring an engraved goddess (sold for £2,800), while among the 17th century jewels in the sale were a Gold and Enamel Crucifix Pendant, probably Spanish (sold for £4,200), and a Silver-Mounted Rock Crystal Amulet, either made in Italy or Spain (sold for £3,200).

Also selling well at £2,500, was an 18th Century Intaglio Ring depicting Leda and the Swan.

Anthony Phillips (1945-2024) was born in Hampstead, the son of a senior civil servant and the celebrated artist and illustrator Phyllis Bray, who was herself a collector of Renaissance jewellery.

Having studied geography at Christ Church, Oxford, a fascination for historical objects led him to join Christie’s in 1967, where he began his career behind the front desk.

His enquiring mind caught the attention of the long-standing and much-admired silver specialist Arthur Grimwade, who asked him to join his department, setting the course of his career.

At a time of huge growth in the antique silver market, he soon developed an eye for great objects, and in 1977 was chosen to go to New York with his wife, Sara, to help set up the first Christie’s office in the United States.

Here, he helped establish the auctioneer’s reputation, with such discoveries as a Charles I goblet that he traced back to the Mayflower pilgrim and first governor of the Plymouth Colony, William Bradford.

He was promoted to Head of Silver and Objects of Vertu, then Head of Specialist Departments, and in 1996 Phillips and his family moved back to London where he became Director of International Silver.

His reputation and knowledge secured many important sales from great collections across the globe, perhaps crowned by the extraordinary sale of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Collection in Paris in 2009, in which the silver alone realised €19.8m, and the sale of an Imperial Fabergé egg from the heir of the McDonald’s fortune.

Following a long and illustrious career, in later years he worked as a consultant for Christie’s, always on hand to give sage advice and share his encyclopaedic knowledge.

The sale realised a total hammer price of £105,950 for 180 lots, and a 97 per cent sold rate.