Dublin silver bowl made during Oliver Cromwell's time sold for £25K

The shallow bowl was made in Dublin during the time of Oliver Cromwell, between around 1659 and 1663.

It is the second oldest known secular Irish plate. Only a handful of similar items are known to survive from before the restoration of the monarchy and only a table salt made in Dublin in 1640 is thought to pre-date it.

The receptacle was described as a porringer. The dishes were typically used for holding soups or stews.

Its whereabouts was unknown for almost 50 years until earlier this year when Sworders auctioneers in Stansted, Essex, were invited to appraise items of silver from the family of Colonel SL Bibby CBE, a silver collector.

It was dubbed the IS porringer on account of its engraved initials. It is also marked with a Dublin harp.

Little is known about Colonel Bibby, but his was once a noteworthy collection. Seven of his pieces were included in the landmark exhibition Seven Centuries Of English Domestic Silver held at the Royal Ontario Museum in 1958.