January Auction Review Pt 2 with Tim Weeks
So that’s January behind us – and five auctions under our belts already! Our Antiques, Collectables and Furniture auction of 17th January was, as always, a hive of activity from the second the doors opened. The jam-packed room along with the high number of online bidders came as no surprise to the cataloguing team who had been telling me all week that it was a strong auction. Seeing that the auction was littered with so many big hitters it would be impossible to highlight them all for you, so I get to choose some of my personal favourites. I’ll start with lot 661 which saw an early 20th century gilt framed over-mantel mirror, having a somewhat serpentine upper edge and moulded frame enclosing the plate. Now the glass itself was very faded to the point that it could barely do its job as a mirror, unless perhaps being used for an arty and mysterious style semi mirrored photograph that would be far to cool for me to ever pull off! However it was of the right period and right style for today’s market, and its substantial size would make it the focal point of any home. The hammer came down at £1,815 including buyer’s premium.
Now although the mirror was a stunner, it wasn’t the star of the show during this auction as only five minutes prior to selling it, we knocked the hammer down on a wildly impressive Donegal carpet. Donegal carpets are renowned for their high-quality hand knitted wool, often mixing the designs of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts with Celtic motifs, naturally hailing from Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland. This carpet came straight from a stately home and came in a green ground colour with an intertwined foliage design to pond and border. It was also extremely large (over 6m x 4m). The carpet ended up receiving no less than 70 separate bids from around the world and the successful bidder took it home for a cool £9,075 inc BP.
Many hours before the mirror and carpet were sold, a beautiful 19th century Futvoye of Paris gilt metal mantle clock with putti cherub and garland finial design went under the hammer in lot 134. This clock really had it all and could not have been more ‘classic’ if it tried. Enamelled dial, side painted porcelain panels, two thermometers and three subsidiary dials to its front, all raised on a marble base meant the selling price of £1,573 inc BP absolutely came as no surprise.
Moving on to our Antiques and Collectables Sale on the 31st of January, I was delighted to include a fantastic private collection of Royal Worcester. These types of single vendor consignments are what every auctioneer dreams of - the opportunity to offer a collection carefully curated over decades to the auction market. This collection covered most of what you would want from a Worcester enthusiast, from the classic ivory blush, to figures, to artist signed vases. A notable favourite of mine was a teacup and saucer painstakingly hand painted with game birds that went on to sell for £170 against a £60-80 estimate. This came as no real surprise, as these pieces really epitomize what Royal Worcester is all about.
Another lovely edition to this auction was five signed limited edition Lowry prints which created quite a stir. Lowry’s work remains a stalwart of British culture and are guaranteed to make any art collectors ears prick up in excitement. With original paintings selling for in excess of a million pounds, it’s no wonder there’s a strong market for more affordable prints. But these weren’t just any prints, all had gallery stamps and signatures, each bearing the seal of approval of Lowry himself. ‘The Pond’ a charming winter scene of Lancaster sold for a formidable £4960 including buyer’s premium with bids coming from telephone, online and room bidders, making for a fantastic buzz in the saleroom.
It really was a showstopper of an auction with items including a 19th Century Frodsham and Parkinson bracket clock, Bergman bronzes, an early edition of Pride and Prejudice, Thonet armchairs, Liberty & Co Tudric clock and I could go on. It felt like an auction of classic antiques, with something for everyone.
But enough looking back, now I must turn my attention to what’s coming up next at Wessex…
We are excited to be able to tell you that on 21st February we will be welcoming ‘The Duke’ Davidson Dickinson for ITV’s Dickinson’s Real Deal and we would love for you to join us in the room for what promises to be another unforgettable day of drama as my good friend Martin Hughes takes to the rostrum under the bright lights. We hope to see you there.
Wessex Auction Rooms are always consigning for forthcoming auctions and welcome entries Mon-Fri 9-5 at our auction rooms just off J17 of the M4 (Chippenham) with no appointment necessary, or on an appointment basis at our central Bath office, or at your home.Contact the team on 01249 720888 or email enquiries@wessexauctionrooms.co.uk