BONHAMS IN London will auction “a collection of Irish silver which has been locked away in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland for the last 50 years” on Tuesday June 22nd.

The collection belonged to Dr FS Bourke, who was a well-known collector of antiques who lived in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, and practised at Dr Steeven’s Hospital.

Following his death in 1961, the silver was stored in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland. The collection is now being sold by his grandson and has been valued at between £36,000 and £46,000 (€40,784-€52,113).

Among the highlights are a pair of George II Irish silver sauce boats and a rare 18th century Irish silver saffron teapot.