A 200-year-old silver wine funnel believed to have been crafted in the Scottish Highlands was among the hidden treasures discovered at an antiques valuation event in Caithness.
Individuals from across the north were invited along to the 16th century castle yesterday to find out more about their prized family heirlooms or undiscovered gems.
Items including porcelain from Sir Walter Scott and a series of historic bank notes were among the objects valued by experts from Bonhams auctioneers.
Charles Graham-Campbell, managing director of Bonhams Scotland believes the “unique” funnel made of Wick silver could generate as much as £9,000 at auction.
He said: “It was made by a chap called John Sellar and he actually worked in Tain, Wick and Elgin but this one is hallmarked for Wick and he was up here between 1825 and 1836.
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“Thereis Scottish provincial silverware that was made in various towns around the top of the east coast of Scotland and a few in the West as well. Normally it was flatware, by that we mean it was just spoons and forks, but to get things that were hollowware, which were a mug or a saucer – something that could hold liquid – and this funnel, they are very rare. We estimate this at around £7,000 to £9,000.”
Another intriguing item which caught the eye of the experts was a collection of bank notes from the North of Scotland Bank dating back to the early 1900s.
Mr Campbell said: “Someone has consigned a collection of bank notes and one part of it was the North of Scotland Bank Limited and that was based in Aberdeen. One of the notes dates back to 1903 and it shows the old town of Aberdeen, what is now the university. We have got notes from 11 different Scottish banks.
“There is a collection from this North of Scotland Bank of single notes, of £5 notes and few £20 as well. I think this sort of collection of the North of Scotland bank would probably we worth in the region of £2,000.
“There are quite a few of them so it will be so it will be a nice collection in our Scottish sale 15th May.”
Money was also being raised on the day in support of The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, with each participant ask to give a small donation of £5 for one item and £10 for three in support of their cause.
Valued items will now be put forward to feature in The Scottish Sale which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next month.
