Chinese buyer springs surprise at January Antiques & General Sale
A very full catalogue of probably the highest overall value seen at a monthly sale prompted 550 online buyers to register, the largest number yet, and also a very good crowd to be in attendance at last Saturday’s sale. There were stand-out lots in every section, viz:
Furniture
An impressive mahogany break-front wardrobe/linen press £320;
a Heal & Son triple-fronted wardrobe £300;
an extending oak table believed to be by Waring & Gillow £900;
a 3 drawer folio/plan chest £250; Ercol chairs from £15 to £20 each
Pictures
A gilt framed oil on canvas still life flowers in vase, unsigned, £1,000 to an Italian buyer on the internet;
a Louis Wain original watercolour entitled “Boxing Match” £380
Books
A copy of Erasmus of Rotterdam, Adagia, published in Paris in 1558, text in Latin in 1900’s binding, text possibly incomplete £150
Works of William Shakespeare, 7 plays, published London 1709 £120
Silver & Jewellery
18ct gold diamond cluster ring £450;
18ct gold David Yurman Cable Classic bracelet £600;
Cartier 18ct white gold bracelet £2,600
Watches & Clocks
Ornate mantel clock by Jules Bariquand, Paris, £400;
Patek Philippe 18ct gold cased watch in original box £2,900
Collectables
A bronze western Zhon dynasty style Gui food vessel £3,600, to a buyer in Shanghai;
a Hohner piano accordion £480;
a Hermes Kelly miel porosus handbag estimate £5,000 to £6,000 sold after the auction;
a Goyard trunk £2,600;
an Asprey table lighter with black buckhorn handle £350;
a Royal Worcester coffee cup and saucer £220;
a box of miscellaneous china including 2 Wemyss pigs £600
Auctioneer Chris Boreham said ”This sale was full of surprises. I didn’t see £3,600 for the Chinese bronze vessel, but then neither did the very knowledgeable vendor! But that is the fun of buying and selling at auction, you don’t always know what is going to capture the imagination of buyers. What we try to ensure is that it everything is seen by the widest possible audience, and I think having a good interesting mix of items for sale encourages that.”