Trunk meets strong demand

18th February 2023

The February sale of Fine Art, Antiques, Silver and Jewellery was slightly lighter on the number of lots entered but was full of quality with all items being met with keen demand.

In the jewellery section, an early 20th century gold and diamond solitaire ring achieved £2200 with a mid-20th century platinum and diamond cluster ring making £2500. A delightful late Victorian aquamarine and diamond double-scroll pendant necklace sold for £1300, An early 20th century gold emerald and diamond spiral brooch/pendant £2400 and A late 19th/early 20th century gold and turquoise cluster parure in early Victorian style £3000.

There was a lovely collection of clocks with a Justin Vulliamy London ebonised and gilt mounted twin fusee bracket 8-day clock, circa 1740 achieving £3000 and a mid-20th century Strutt epicyclic reproduction skeleton clock making £750.

Travelling trunks have gained in popularity in recent years and the best originate from Louis Vuitton and the auction rooms were pleased to offer an early 20th century Louis Vuitton travelling trunk with leather straps, studded and tooled leather and wooden banding, on wheels. There was fierce internet and telephone bidding for it with a price well above estimate of £4100 being achieved.

Quality ceramics always generate interest amongst buyers at the auction rooms and those selling to advantage included an early 20th century Chinese cloisonne enamel five-claw dragon charger which made £750 and a pair of 19th century Canton famille rose rouleau shaped vases £700.

Amongst the paintings and pictures, an impressive oil on canvas by Antoine Bouvard (French, 1870-1955), Santa Maria Della Salute, made £2600 and two intriguing Victorian Gothic giltwood framed painted panels achieved £550.

There was strong Chinese interest for a set of eight Chinese hardwood stone inlaid horseshoe shaped chairs which after persistent bidding sold for £1200 to a buyer from Beijing. Other furniture sold to advantage with the demand for quality furniture having strengthened over recent months.

It is always great when an unexpected find sells well and a collection of hand written notes by Richard Wagner, the composer, were found by auction room staff amongst some ephemera and paperwork of less interest from a house clearance! Authenticated by Kristina Unger of the Richard Wagner Museum, they sold for £3800.

Our next sale of Fine Art and Antiques is on 11th March.