Hoard of 'Grand Tour' treasures found in flat

A hoard of antique holiday souvenirs from aristocratic "Grand Tours" of Europe has been found in a one-bedroom flat.

The items belonged to a late collector from Scunthorpe who scoured flea markets and car boot sales and could now be worth thousands of pounds.

The collection, which includes dozens of highly decorated objects such as brooches, mirrors and paperweights, is being auctioned at the David Duggleby saleroom, in Scarborough, and online on Friday.

The "micro mosaic" artworks would have been bought by young British aristocrats as pocket-sized mementos of trips to countries such as France and Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Micro-mosaic art – the trend for creating and adorning objects with tiny pieces of glass, enamel or semi-precious stones – began in Italy more than 200 years ago.

The dainty keepsakes were popular among travelling aristocrats as souvenirs of their visits to cities such as Paris and Rome.

But interest in the miniature works of art faded by the early 20th century and they could be bought cheaply.

Following the collector's death, auctioneer Dominic Cox was contacted by the executors of his estate to assess and sell the contents of the flat.

Mr Cox said: "I opened the first box expecting to find the usual crockery, cutlery or other household items but instead got a 19th Century Italian micro-mosaic brooch wrapped in a piece of paper kitchen roll."

The discovery came as a "total surprise".

It was the first of dozens of brooches and close to 300 micro-mosaic pieces that would emerge from that box and others.

"Some of the items were wrapped in newspaper, the dates of which suggested they had been there for more than a quarter of a century."

Mr Cox said the decorated objects were expected to attract international interest and could make more than £3,500 at auction.

He described the contents of the little Scunthorpe flat as "incredible".

"It was the home of a chap who had been collecting since he was a small boy," he said.

"There were cardboard boxes full of collectables everywhere and more to be found in just about every drawer, cupboard and wardrobe in the place."

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