A leading expert in the world of antique silver
Email info@alastairdickensonsilver.co.uk | Phone +44 7976 283530
ABOUT
Alastair has been a leading figure in the world of antique silver for over 50 years. He began his career in 1971 at one of London’s major auction houses and, in 1983, was appointed Head of Antique Silver at Asprey. He went on to become a Director of the Antiques Department in 1994.
In 1996, Alastair established his own business in Jermyn Street with his former Asprey assistant, Melanie Cuchet, who has now worked alongside him for nearly 40 years.
Over the past three decades, the business has acquired some of the finest examples of antique silver to have appeared on the market. Among these was the celebrated Rockingham wine cistern, purchased for a hammer price of £1.3 million — at the time, the second-highest price ever paid at auction in the UK for a piece of English silver.
This was followed by the acquisition of the Albert Collection, one of the largest collections of English silver to have been sold through the London trade, comprising more than 600 pieces.
Expertise & Experience
Alastair's expertise extends well beyond buying and selling. He is a Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and a Freeman of the City of London. He is also a former member of the Court and a current Liveryman of the Company of Art Scholars.
His professional appointments and advisory roles have included:
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Former member of the Council of the British Antique Dealers Association
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Former Chairman of Silver Vetting at the November Olympia Antiques Fair
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Former Silver Vetting Committee member for Masterpiece Art and Antiques Fair
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Expert Adviser to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
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Expert Adviser to H.M. Government on silver accepted in lieu of tax
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Former and longest-serving member, and now Special Adviser, to the Goldsmiths' Hallmarking Authentication Committee, formerly the Antique Plate Committee at Goldsmiths' Hall
Alastair has also contributed introductions to several books and produced Antique Silver and the Law for the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. This practical guide examines the principal categories of fakes and provides guidance on how to identify them.
He has been a principal speaker at the annual Fakes and Forgeries Seminar at Goldsmiths' Hall for almost every year since the seminar was established.
Antiques Roadshow
Many viewers will also recognise Alastair from the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, where he appeared as a silver expert for more than 30 years.
Alastair has been a leading figure in the world of antique silver for over 50 years. He began his career in 1971 at one of London’s major auction houses and, in 1983, was appointed Head of Antique Silver at Asprey. He went on to become a Director of the Antiques Department in 1994.
In 1996, Alastair established his own business in Jermyn Street with his former Asprey assistant, Melanie Cuchet, who has now worked alongside him for nearly 40 years.
Over the past three decades, the business has acquired some of the finest examples of antique silver to have appeared on the market. Among these was the celebrated Rockingham wine cistern, purchased for a hammer price of £1.3 million — at the time, the second-highest price ever paid at auction in the UK for a piece of English silver.
This was followed by the acquisition of the Albert Collection, one of the largest collections of English silver to have been sold through the London trade, comprising more than 600 pieces.
