The final segment of the late TV presenter Michael Baggott’s personal silver collection has been sold for a substantial six-figure amount. Baggott, a former antiques expert at BBC, passed away in January 2025 at the age of 51. Known for his expertise in antique silver, particularly early spoons, boxes, and provincial and continental pieces, his remaining collection was auctioned at Woolley And Wallis’s silver and objects of vertu sale on February 4. The collection surpassed the estimated value of £71,100 to £97,700, fetching £112,891 at the auction.

Several auctions of Baggott’s collection have now generated over £200,000 in sales. Among the notable items sold were a Charles II provincial two-handled porringer from 1672 by silversmith Thomas Mangy, which sold for £3,810. Also, an engraved James I West Country silver dish from 1620 by silversmith Edward Harsell exceeded expectations, selling for £5,334.

One highlight of the sale was a silver ingot, a solid block of refined silver, which sold for £762, surpassing the maximum estimate of £300. Unlike ornamental coins, ingots were used for practical purposes like storage, commerce, or further production. The ingot dated back to June 1840 and was produced at Mr. Treffry’s Smelting House in Par during the peak years of Cornish metal production.

Accompanying the ingot was a handwritten note indicating that it was the first successful silver produced at the smelting house, separating silver from copper mined at Fowey Consol in June 1840. Baggott’s York silver collection comprised over 550 pieces spanning from the late 17th century to 1858.