A “STUNNING” collection of intricate antiques including a gold mounted tiger tooth and a Swiss enamel box - complete with singing bird - made £20,000 at auction yesterday.

A “STUNNING” collection of intricate antiques including a gold mounted tiger tooth and a Swiss enamel box - complete with singing bird - made £20,000 at auction yesterday.

More than 500 silver and gold boxes and novelty items from a collection formed in Felixstowe were on sale at the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds.

Silver spoons, vinaigrettes, snuff boxes, perfume bottles, small silver animals and novelty pin cushions, which were all brought in to Bonhams antiques and auctioneers in Ipswich in two vintage suitcases, sold for £5,000 more than expected.

Michael Steel, Bonhams' valuer, said: “It isn't very often that someone brings in such a large collection in two neatly packed suitcases - it was quite a revelation when we opened the cases to see all these gleaming treasures.

“The gentleman involved has built the collection over 30 to 40 years - carefully selecting suitable objects. And he has acquired many of the items from Suffolk and East Anglia.”

A Swiss enamel box, bought 35 years ago, thought to be worth between £1,500 and £2,000, reached an amazing £5,800 when it came up for sale.

Daniel Wright, silver specialist at Bonhams, said: “This is a nice collection as all the pieces are small. They are extravagant, and that makes them sought after.”

Mr Steel added: “This gentleman has understandably drawn a tremendous amount of pleasure from his collection.

“He was sad to have to sell them but he said he is pleased with how it went. He bought the Swiss enamel box 30 or 40 years ago - it got a lot of interest in the room and on the phone from buyers further afield and sold for well over its estimated price.

“We sold about 80% of the collection yesterday and a lot of the items sold for more than the amount they were estimated at.”