AN ORNATE silver cup that once belonged to the Duke of Northumberland will be auctioned this week.
The gilt trophy, which was designed in 1725 by Jacob Margas, is engraved with the royal coat of arms and is expected to fetch more than £50,000 at the sale in London.
It is one of 65 pieces owned by Mahdi al Tajir, a former United Arab Emirates ambassador to the UK.
The cup was presented by George II to his godson George Seymour, son of the first Earl of Northumberland, and for more than two centuries remained in the Percy family.
Mr al Tajir, who acquired a fortune of £2bn from finance and real estate dealings, acquired the cup in 1984, when the 10th Duke of Northumberland sold it for £20,900.
Silver expert Harry Williams, of Christie's auctioneers, said the cup had attracted interest from potential buyers across the world.
It is expected to more than double its previous price at auction on Wednesday.
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