A treasure trove of antiques has been unearthed at the shop of deceased Rutland antiques dealer, David Smith.
Smith who retired from the antiques trade in 2003 walked away from the shop on St Marys Road Manton, leaving behind a veritable smorgasbord of antiques which remained untouched until his death, ten years later.
"When we walked in to start assessing the items it was as though we had been transported back in time" said Golding Young & Mawer's principal auctioneer & valuer Colin Young.
"We saw some 'good old proper antiques'. In fact everything you would expect from a trade antiques dealer, including a George III mahogany and brass bound octagonal cellerette, a selection of 19th century brass candlesticks, a collection of treen items, hunting prints, oil lamps and all conceivable areas of decoration."
The antiques, which had been sealed in the shop for the past ten years, were cleaned and moved to Golding Young & Mawer's Grantham saleroom late 2013 where the items were catalogued and prepared for sale.
Young said "Obviously we are privileged to receive the instructions from the executors of David Smith, the well-respected antique dealer from Manton in Rutland. Our thanks also go to the Smith family for their help in bringing together such a fantastic sale."
The collection featuring over 800 lots will be open for viewing 2-5pm on February 9 and between 10-4pm on February 10 & 11.
The live auction will take place at The Grantham Auction Rooms on February 12, from 10am.
The full sale catalogue can be viewed online at www.goldingyoung.com.