THE catalogue for Hamilton Osborne King's sale of silver on December 4th is a sumptuous affair, with its silver cover showing a detail of the most expensive lot in the sale - an 1830 royal presentation wine cooler by Odiot of Paris: The cooler on its pedestal was given by King Louis Philippe to Sir Robert Otway, the son of Henry Otway of Castle Otway in Co Tipperary. A vice admiral in the Royal Navy, Sir Robert rose to the position of Groom of The Bed Chamber of King George IV and, in that capacity, was somehow of assistance to the French king, according to an intriguing note in the catalogue. It is expected to make up to £12,000.

There are some very covetable lots in this sale: a Tiffany five pint pitcher dating from 1888, and embossed all over with flowers and shells, is very pretty and tempting at £1,000-£1,500; and an impressive array of eight salt cellars and spoons, London c1820, could make £6,000-£20,000. A set of four navette shaped tureens and covers, also London, c1802, has a top estimate of £8,000.

A set of 12 silver plates, London c1774, engraved with a coat of arms, could sell for £3,000-£5,000 and, to complete the dining table, four neo classical candlesticks, made one year later in Sheffield, are estimated at £3,500-£4,000.

For those with just a few hundred pounds to spend there are numerous lots of silver spoons, forks, tongs, pots and baskets. Well worth viewing.