Sale Report

MAUCHLINE WARE MANIA

Started by W & A Smith of Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland in about 1820 Mauchline ware, as it soon became known, consisted of small objects typically of light coloured sycamore woods decorated with printed pen and ink views.  These principally showed holiday resorts and retreats favoured by the Victorian holidaymakers, for instance all the substantial seaside towns as well as Spa towns such as Bath, Cheltenham and so on. The objects could be as diverse as letter knives, watch stands, moneyboxes and especially needlework related items such as thimble cases and pincushions.  It was such a collection that began to appear during the clearance of a property near Chipping Sodbury some months ago. The extent of the collection at first was not apparent, in this drawer perhaps 2 or 3 objects, in that cupboard another 8 or 10, in the shoe box under the bed a few more and so on. It was not until they were all grouped together that a count revealed a total of just over 400 items, which catalogued into about 60 lots.

The interest in the collection was restricted to a handful of enthusiasts, some Scottish, others from the south coast and others local, however each lot was keenly contested and the entire collection sold for a total of £6,700.

The sale overall produced a string of strong results, an early 19^th century percussion cap pistol with walnut stock in the original mahogany and baize lined case by Forsyth & Co sold for £2,700 despite the second weapon being long gone. 

Lot 508 - £2,700

A small and primitive Whieldon ware hollow cast model of a cat with marbled brown and cream striped decoration, just 13cm high, attracted strong interest from collectors selling at £1,020.  Gold continues to sell well with one lot comprising of twenty 22ct gold wedding bands selling at £1,120. This is true also of silver where a suite of silver Shell pattern cutlery by George Angell, dating from around the 1840’s, sold at £880.  A collection of postcards offered in 15 lots totalled around £2,600 and the best of the books was a folio by George Franklin Atkinson ‘The Campaign In India 1857-58’ which sold at £690.

Lot 1428 - £1,500

Amongst the furniture a small Georgian oak dresser enclosed by an arrangement of cupboards and drawers sold at £1,700.  A substantial Edwardian mahogany longcase clock with 3-train movement enclosing a choice of three chimes sold at £1,500 followed by a 19^th century cottage longcase clock by Pitt of Tetbury at £920.  A small and pretty Georgian oyster veneered cabinet on stand enclosed by two panelled doors realised £1,100.

Strong entries have already been received for the forthcoming sale on October 20^th & 21^st and it is fully expected that the saleroom will be at capacity as usual.

Home Page      |     Current Catalogues   |  Sale Calendar