Coming from a family well-known in the antiques trade, John Weldon has now branched out on his own as an auctioneer with premises in Dublin's Temple Bar district. His first sale takes place next week and features a large amount of fine silver, along with a number of pieces of jewellery.

Among the former category, one of the most important lots is a rare Limerick helmet cream jug, made by George Halloran around 1770. Only two other such Irish provincial jugs are known to be extant and they were both made by Jonathan Buck of Cork.

Halloran's style of work is certainly similar to that of Buck; an advertisement in the Limerick Chronicle of July 1761 advised readers that "George Halloran, Jewellery and Goldsmith, is just returned from London and has taken the House opposite Quay Lane lately occupied by Michael Stritch deceased."

Decorated with foliate scrollwork, this cup by Halloran - who died in 1804 - stands on three feet below female masks, while another female head is found rising from a leaf on the handle. Its pre-sale estimate is £4,000-£5,000.

Another lot of interest is a two-handled silver cup standing just over eight and a half inches tall and engraved with a family crest. It was made by Isaac D'Olier who worked from premises on Dame Street in Dublin for many years; D'Olier Street is named after one of his descendants.

Master of the Company of Goldsmiths from 1752-53, a churchwarden of St Werburgh's and a member of the Common Council of the City of Dublin, he made the cup in question in 1746; it is expected to fetch £3,000-£4,000.

Other lots of silver include a George III soup tureen (£6,000-£7,000) and a George II table spoon (£200-£300). There is also a late 19th century canteen of London-made silver cutlery comprising 104 items (3,000-£3,500).

As already mentioned, jewellery features strongly in this sale, thanks to such lots as a diamond solitaire ring of almost five carats (£25,000-£30,000) and another of 2.65 carats (£3,000-£4,000). Then there are a variety of diamond-set bracelets with estimates ranging from £1,250 to £9,000 and a Victorian diamond and opal bangle.

Finally, and quite differently, the auction offers a lot of interest to collectors of football memorabilia. There is a Manchester United leather football autographed around 1962 by the likes of Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton. The estimate here is £200-£300.

The debut auction of this new business takes place in its premises at The Music Hall, Cow's Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin on Tuesday starting at 2 p.m.