The Mary Eleanor Hibbert Cape Silver Collection

Live Virtual Auction, 9 July 2025

The Mary Eleanor Hibbert Collection
About the Session

This auction features the notable private Cape silver collection of Mary Eleanor Hibbert assembled over many decades and featuring rare pieces, including a double beaker, alms dish, sugar bowls, snuff boxes and 18ct gold clasps from the golden age of Cape silversmithing. Master silversmiths included in this collection are Willem Godfried Lotter, Lawrence Holme Twentyman, Johannes Casparus Lotter, Johan Hendrik Vos and Jan Lotter.


Sold for

ZAR 22 278
Lot 17
  • A Cape silver-mounted cowrie shell snuff box, Daniel Hockly, c.1787-1835
  • A Cape silver-mounted cowrie shell snuff box, Daniel Hockly, c.1787-1835


Lot Estimate
ZAR 12 000 - 15 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 22 278
Location
Cape Town
Delivery
Additional delivery charges apply
Shipping
Condition Report
May include additional detailed images

About this Item

Cape Colony
A Cape silver-mounted cowrie shell snuff box, Daniel Hockly, c.1787-1835
the hinged cover engraved with foliate and wrigglework, gilt interior, 3,5cm long; and another, the hinged cover engraved with a heart and initials 'MMDJ' enclosed by wrigglework borders, 6cm long
(2)

Provenance

The Mary Eleanor Hibbert Collection

Notes

Daniel Hockly, born in London in 1787, was a skilled silversmith and one of the first settlers who arrived at Algoa Bay in April 1820 aboard the Chapman, accompanied by his wife and children. During this journey, his wife Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter at sea and his five-year-old son Daniel died before they reached their destination. Initially settling at the mouth of the Fish River, the family later moved to various towns including Uitenhage, Grahamstown, Cradock, and ultimately Graaff-Reinet. Hockly began his recorded work as a silversmith in 1819 and continued practicing until 1835, the year of his death in Graaff-Reinet.

Stephan Welz (1976) Cape Silver and Silversmiths, Cape Town: AA Balkema.

View all Daniel Hockly lots for sale in this auction



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