December 20, 2012

(JTA) — A silver antique spice tower has sold at auction for a record price of $280,000.

The 18th-century Polish parcel-gilt silver filigree spice container is rare, according to Jonathan Greenstein, the president of J. Greenstein & Co. auction house, which purchased the tower at auction at Kestenbaum & Company auction house in New York earlier this month. The spice tower is from the collection of the Jewish Historical Society of England and at one point was displayed at the Jewish Museum in London.

Greenstein, who plans to sell the tower, appraised the piece’s value at more than $500,000.

“Because of its size, aesthetical appeal, historical significance, provenance and the simple fact that it is the best one in private hands, this piece will be in one of the most prominent collections in the world,” he said.
 

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