A rare silver cat dating back to Victorian times and found in a Maldon home will be auctioned for sale.

Brett Tryner, senior valuer at Boningtons fine art auctioneers, said the rare Victoria novelty mustard pot, inthe form of a cat, was brought to him for valuation by a family who said it had passed down through the generations.

The cat, by celebrated Victoria silversmith Robert Hennell, is estimated to be sold for between £2,000 and £3,000 at auction.

Mr Tryner believes it will reach the higher end of the price range.

He said: “It’s the fact Robert Hennell made it.

“Not that many works survived.”