A superb casket made that once belonged to King Edward VII goes on sale at The Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair at the Great Yorkshire Showground, 12th – 14th June 2026.
To be shown by Mark Goodger Antiques, a specialist in fine antique boxes, the casket is made from silver and horn and was presented to King Edward VII by the Worshipful Company of Horners in 1901. It was originally commissioned for Queen Victoria to mark the beginning of the new century, but following her death in January 1901 it was offered to her successor.
Constructed from carefully selected specimens of British bullock horn, the unique casket is bound with silver gilt straps which are finely chased in the early English style and raised on four pierced feet. The silver mounts are hallmarked in London for the firm Moss Morris with the date letter for 1901.
The casket was designed and produced by Deputy Millar Wilkinson of St Michael’s Alley, Cornhill, a member and past master of the Worshipful Company of Horners, reflecting the long tradition of craftsmanship associated with the guild. It was intended for display in the Horn Room at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where contemporary reports noted it was greatly admired by the King and considered a significant addition to the collection. It will be on sale at the fair with a ticket price of £45,000. Mark Goodger Antiques promise a selection of antique tea caddies, writing boxes and vanity cases in addition to desk and other rare accessories. Among these will also be a stunning boulle stationery box by the highly collectable makers, Leuchars & Sons, made circa 1880. It will
be on sale for £1,675.00.
Showing at the fair for the first time, all the way from Scotland, will be a leading specialist in antique tribal art – Ian Shaw. Iain specialises in antique tribal items and textiles, mostly from West Africa and will be offering pieces including a very rare piece of hand-spun cotton Kente from the Ewe people of the Volta region of Ghana, priced at £1,600. Woven on a four-inch strip loom, the natural dyed pieces are meticulously sewn, and a myriad of hand sewn floating motifs add to the decoration, creating a sizeable piece that can be used in different ways in an interior.
Ian Shaw is also bringing a fine sculpture of a revered Chief of the Suku people of Central Congo. Carved from very dense wood. It is very rare to find such a realistic image in African Tribal art. The individual depicted must have been highly regarded to have such a commemorative object carved in his honour. Measuring 42cm in height, it dates from 1958 and will be priced at £480.00.
This popular summer event includes art and antiques specialists in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and decorative and designer pieces feature together with a selection of traditional antique furniture, paintings and collector’s pieces. ‘We are delighted to have such a broad range of pieces on sale, from the superb boxes of Mark Goodger to the tribal treasures of Africa from Ian Shaw.’ explains organiser Sue Ede.
A vast range of high-quality art and antiques will be for sale from more than 45 specialist dealers. Prices range from less than £50 for a simple Georgian drinking glass to more than £20,000 for the finest antique furniture, silver and modern and traditional paintings.
Among many outstanding pieces will be a superb George I period walnut bureau described as of ‘exceptional quality’ from furniture specialists William Cook Antiques from Marlborough. It is priced at £45,000. William Cook will be showing a range of period and decorative pieces from domestic furniture to statuary, lighting and accessories.
Among the fine art specialists will be several of the UK’s leading dealers including Haynes Fine Art from Broadway, Rowles Gallery from Ludlow and Walker Galleries from Harrogate.
Yorkshire antique dealers include Dales Antiques specialising in oak and country furniture, Mark Buckley Antiques with formal English antique furniture, and Ellis Fine Art specialising in oil paintings and town furniture.
The fair takes place in the comfortable surroundings of the Pavilions Suite within the Yorkshire Showground complex located close to Harrogate town centre. Free parking make this an easy venue to visit while a restaurant provides light lunches, morning refreshments and afternoon teas. The fair has been running for more than 30 years at the venue.
Public Admission is £7.50 OR £5.00 in advance from Eventbrite HERE
Open Times: Friday – Saturday 11.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 11.00am-4.30pm
The fair is organised by Cooper Events, Somerset TA8 1BU. Tel: 01278 784912.