|
FANNING AROUND
There was a time when the auction
trade would sail through the hot summer months, sales were
smaller and sale prices lower, but not anymore. We were pleased
to have put almost 1700 lots to auction with some impressive
results in across the board.
Our star lot came in from a local
collection of modest but saleable items. A Chinese Imperial
ivory cockade brise fan, in a glazed mahogany case provoked
considerable International pre-sale interest, with all five
phone lines booked and a number of large commission bids on the
book. The item came to us without reserve so the bidding opened
at a mere £1000. It quickly rocketed to a cool £15,000 and sold
to a delighted telephone bidder.
The keenest prices were to be
found amongst the jewellery. Helped along by a single account
from a lady just over the bridge in Wales. Her account amounted
to a little over £15,000. A fine peacock brooch raised £720, a
seed pear and gold bangle £760 and a string of amber beads £800.
This bodes well for the fine jewellery sale we are having in
September for which we a holding a fine private collection.
Horology continues to impress
with a Reuge Music of Switzerland music box selling at £780, a
Negretti & Zambra mahogany cased mercurial stick thermometer for
£430, Victorian silver and shagreen boudoir clock by W Thornhill
and Co of London for £340 and a 1970s Seiko Chronograph
Automatic gentleman's wristwatch £380.
The best of the rest on day one
was found in the picture department with a pair Alfred
Pollentine (1836-1890) Venetian oils sailing away at £980 and a
watercolour by W Herdman of an Everton street scene with the Old
Everton Toffee shop reaching a sweet £640
Furniture proved to be very
strong once again. A Chinese hardwood cabinet on three tiers
caused the most dramatic moment with a keen room bidder taking
the bidding from £200 up £1400 he was soundly beaten when an
internet buyer came in at £1450. From the Orient to Stroud where
a pale Cotswold oak dresser by Ralph Stevens of Chalford sold
for £1150. A substantial 19th century country house room divider
sold for £640 and a good quality Sheraton revival display
cabinet for £520.
Coming up in July we a have a large
collection of 20th
century design furniture and lighting, with pieces by Hans
Wegner, Verner Panton, Herbert Terry, Arkana, Ib Arberg… and
many more.
For August we have just
unearthced two trunks of silver, still wrapped in newspaper, one
trunk the paper is dated 1934 the other 1945.
In September we have the private
collection of fine jewellery.
A busy few months for us here at
the saleroom, where of course we will be putting together our
usual assortment of the weird and wonderful for your perusal.
|
