The historically important 22 carat gold cup by Louis Osman and Malcolm Appleby sold in London for a record breaking £78,000 on 30 November.  This has has well surpassed the previous record for a post war silver or gold item which was £50,000. 
The vessel by locall- based engraver Malcolm Appleby was engraved in 1970 when the silversmith was just 23 years old and was sold at Bonhams’ Distinguished Designs Sale in London.
 Known as the ‘Prince of Wales Cup’, the unique vessel was designed by accomplished silversmith Osman and is completely covered with engravings by Appleby.   The incredible skill of Appleby’s engraving is legendary, with tiny detail telling stories and adding humorous detail such as, on very close inspection, the sun is wearing sun glasses and there is a tiny face by the dragons tail, with clasping hands which is similar to Munch’s painting “The Scream” but smiling.
 The cup (pictured) was originally exhibited in Louis Osman’s 1971 one-man show at Goldsmiths Hall along with the Investiture Coronet. A feature in The Illustrated London News of February 13, 1971 referred to Appleby’s work on the cup; “It exhibits the extraordinary skill of this 23 year old genius, who invests the conventional lion, unicorn, dragons, harp, feather of the Prince of Wales and the Black Prince, and so on with strange, fantastical quality all his own.” and “the most important and beautiful object in the exhibition and surely destined to become a historic one.”
Malcolm Appleby is hosting a Christmas shop at his home and workshop in Grantully, Perthshire throughout December until Christmas eve, 11am – 5pm daily (not Sundays).