|
A HAPPY END TO THE OLD YEAR
With snow lying thickly on the
Cotswolds before Christmas and with some 1400 lots awaiting
disposal in the auction room, the sale became something of a
gamble. If the snow remained, but got no worse, a good
attendance could be expected - on the basis that every
interested party would feel that others would not be brave
enough to attend, although in practice everyone would turn up;
or the weather would deteriorate further therefore halting
travel altogether. As it happened the snow thawed, the overcast
skies dominated the country and crowds turned out in force to
view the sale.
Bauhaus. the German school famous
for combing craftsmanship and fine art (1913-33) produced a wide
variety of furnishings for all aspects of the futuristic home
and this sale included a chess set designed by Josef Hartwig in
1924, produced in pear wood in both a natural and stained
colourway and housed in its original box. It was discovered
amongst a general collection of toys and games sent in for sale,
it attracted great interest and was under-bid by a Cotswold book
dealer but if fell to a Dutch collector on the telephone at
£2,700.
Amongst the ceramics a Wedgwood
fairyland lustre bowl, just five inches or so in height, with
pixie and fairy detail sold at £920. Jewellery continues to
sell well, particularly older pieces. Here a Victorian gold and
enamel heart shaped locket made £800, whilst gold continues its
relentless climb in value. Four sovereigns and a gold wedding
band sold at £1,000, whilst 110 lots of silver, mainly Victorian
and later, totalled £12,276. Demand for silver of all types
remains insatiable.
Best of the clocks included a
mahogany drop dial clock at £680, and another in oak at £620.
The best of the barometers was a stick example at £520. Amongst
the paintings a hunting scene signed W J Shayer and dated 1886
realised £1,000, a Georgian portrait of a young lady holding a
small dog sold at £980, whilst another of a young child with a
large tabby cat achieved £620.
Amongst the furniture a turret clock
movement realised £740 and a good 18th century open armchair
with gilded framework sold at £1,550. Two early joint stools
made £1,400 and a two sectional 17th century oak chest of
drawers sold at £920. A good Victorian amboyna wood pier
cabinet sold at £950.
The hammer finally fell on the last lot around
4.00 pm on New Years Eve and at the time of writing the sale
room is now filling up for the first sale of the new year on
January 25th & 26th. We wish all our clients, old and new, a
very happy and prosperous New Year and welcome your continued
support.
|
