AN historic collection of medallions awarded to a Worcester carpet and crinoline company are to come up for sale at auction.

The nine bronze medallions, which are due to be sold at Halls auction rooms in Shrewsbury on Wednesday, October 26, belong to a descendant of the owners of Edward Webb, Worcester, and are valued at a total of around £1,000. They include awards from the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and other exhibitions attended by the company in the United State in 1876, France and Belgium.

Edward Webb ran a horse hair and weaving factory in Worcester making high quality carpets and crinolines employing more than 100 people at its peak. The company closed in 1935 and the building became home to the city’s fire and police station.

Derek Ainsworth, Halls’ medals and coins specialist, said: "These medallions are works of art and ought to be of great interest to collectors and local historians in Worcester. The company was obviously very successful in in heyday, winning awards at British and international exhibitions.”

Potentially, one of the stars of the auction is a single stone diamond ring valued at up to £12,000. Consigned following a recent antiques valuation day held in Pershore were a sapphire and diamond bangle valued at up to £700 and a collection of coins valued at around £300. For more information about the silver and jewellery pieces in the auction contact Halls’ silver and jewellery department, on 01743 450700.