As an expert in eighteenth-century architecture, country houses and Georgian history, Amy has worked with leading heritage organisations including English Heritage, the National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces. Her latest book, The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting, explores the history and traditions of Georgian dining.

Here, Amy has selected some of her favourite pieces from the auction.

Dr Amy Boyington's Top Picks

No. 1

Lot 12: A George III silver helmet shaped cream jug, Hester Bateman, London 1786 | Est. £200-300 (+ fees)

"Crafted by the renowned female silversmith Hester Bateman, this jug demonstrates how late 18th-century Neoclassical taste, inspired by classical urns, seamlessly unified tablewares across both the formal dining room and the post-dinner tea table. Its elegant helmet shape and beaded border reflect the growing demand among Georgian hosts for refined, architectural domestic display."

No. 2

Lot 18: A George III silver swing handled cream pail, Robert Hennell, London 1782 | Est. £300-500 (+ fees)

"With whimsical rustic scenes of windmills, barns, and birds, this pail reflects the 18th-century elite fascination with the pastorale, bringing romanticised country life directly onto the formal table. Presided over by the hostess during post-dinner tea or dessert service, its vibrant blue glass liner provided a striking colour contrast while protecting the silver from acidic clotted cream and berries."

No. 3

Lot 21: A George III silver oval teapot, Robert Hennell & Samuel Hennell, London 1803 | Est. £300-500 (+ fees)

"The teapot served as the absolute centrepiece of the 18th-century tea ritual, a performative social ceremony where the hostess demonstrated her wealth, politeness, and domestic authority. Featuring wooden insulating handles to allow for safe, graceful pouring, this piece exemplifies how fine silver transformed the serving of imported tea into an art form at the close of the Georgian era."

No. 4

Lot 38: A pair of George II silver shaped circular plates, John Hugh Le Sage, London 1744 | Est. £800-1,200 (+ fees)

"In the early 18th century, a vast service of heavy silver plates was the ultimate physical demonstration of immense wealth, status, and refined hospitality. Bearing an engraved crest and sculpted by a premier Huguenot-trained silversmith, these plates were designed for 'service à la française', where ranks of gleaming armorial silver reflected candlelight across the table and signalled the impressive lineage of the host."

No. 5

Lot 43: A set of four George I cast silver candlesticks, Samuel Margas, London 1724 | Est. £8,000-12,000 (+ fees)

"In the early 18th century, candlelight was the lifeblood of hospitality, transforming the dining room into a luminous stage and shimmering off polished silver, mirrors, and glass. Crafted by the Huguenot silversmith Samuel Margas, these heavy cast candlesticks were strategically arranged along the table to illuminate the multi-course feast and to project the host’s immense wealth through the lavish use of expensive beeswax candles."

No. 6

Lot 55: A George II silver shaped circular tea tray, maker's mark obscured, London 1751 | Est. £3,000-5,000 (+ fees)

"Large tea trays were the dramatic focal points of the post-dinner tea ceremony, designed to display an entire suite of silver vessels. This exceptional Rococo piece connects domestic hospitality with imperial history, bearing later Trafalgar armorials celebrating Admiral William Carnegie, 7th Earl of Northesk, third-in-command at the famous 1805 naval victory."

No. 7

Lot 58: A George III silver lidded tankard, William & James Priest, London 1770 | Est. £700-1,000 (+ fees)

"Lidded tankards were staple vessels of post-dinner male conviviality, used for drinking ale and exchanging toasts after the ladies had retired. Highly valued as high-status tableware and ceremonial heirlooms passed down through generations."

No. 8

Lot 66: A German silver sugar caster and dry mustard caster, Johan Alhard Jaster Senior, Braunschweig, 18th Century | Est. £2,500-3,500 (+ fees)

"Casters were essential components of the formal 18th-century dining table, allowing diners to individually season their food during 'service à la française'. Featuring delicate floral chasing and a specialized spouted caster for dry mustard, this Continental set reflects how continental silversmithing trends influenced British country house hosts, who used exotic condiments to showcase their refined palates and international taste."

No. 9

Lot 67: A Sèvres porcelain composite dinner-service, circa 1758-1790 | Est. £12,000-18,000 (+ fees)

"Mid-to-late 18th-century elite hosts increasingly favoured Sèvres porcelain over traditional silver dinner services, captivated by its vibrant, delicate floral patterns and luminous glazes. Featuring specialized forms like 'monteiths' and 'seaux à verre', this magnificent service highlights how French porcelain became the pinnacle of fashion, transforming grand country house tables into colourful, highly artistic displays."

No. 10

Lot 77: A pair of French silver twin-handled pedestal wine coolers, maker's mark AE over G, mark for 1st Standard 1794–1797 | Est. £3,000-5,000 (+ fees)

"Wine coolers were indispensable focal points of elite dining, brought to the table packed with ice harvested from the estate’s ice house to keep fine vintages perfectly chilled right beside the diners. Featuring striking Neoclassical anthemion borders and aristocratic armorials, this magnificent French pair demonstrates how functional ice-cooling vessels evolved into high-status symbols of luxury and gracious hospitality."

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Auction Details

Tuesday 22 September, 10am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
Monday 14 September: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 15 September: 10am-4pm
Wednesday 16 September: 10am-4pm

Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
Saturday 19 September: 10am-3pm
Sunday 20 September: 10am-3pm
Monday 21 September: 10am-4pm

Further information
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | luxury@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com

The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting

Dr Amy Boyington is the author of 'The Country House Dining Room: A History of Georgian Feasting'. Released earlier this year, in this book Amy brings the Georgian dining experience to life and charts how the dining room encapsulated the intricate cultural and political dynamics of the 18th century. The book is available to purchase here: yalebooks.co.uk