Heat turns on wine cooler
13th April 2018
The Auction Rooms team certainly had a busy Easter being open for Good Friday and Easter Monday so that the two sales held on 3rd and 4th April could be viewed and the crowds flocked in. The Monday was the busiest viewing day ever seen with both car parks full and a queue for the catalogues.
The Tuesday sale of Antiques & Collectables was a challenge with 700 lots going under the hammer and staff and clients having to behave themselves in front of the cameras filming the Antiques Road Trip. An excellent entry of jewellery met with keen interest in the room but, particularly, from internet bidders. A white metal ring set with a brilliant cut diamond achieved £1800 whilst a 1950s ruby and diamond ring made £1300. Other jewellery selling to advantage included a Victorian yellow and white metal diamond and opal heart shaped sweetheart brooch £1200, an 18ct platinum, emerald and diamond fleur de lys brooch £1100 and a 9ct curb bracelet with charms £850.
Many fell in love with the copper cheese making vat labelled A Hillier, Ridgeway, Frome and there was keen bidding for this with it eventually selling well above estimate for £840. Other collectables that generated strong bidding included a Scottish sword by Andrea Ferrara with an unusual horn grip £800 and a Jacques chess set £550 but the star of the show was a William IV mahogany wine cooler with tin liner that achieved £3300.
A good entry of quality ceramics and glassware attracted interest with a mid-18th century Sevres style sucrier and cover, each side painted with a cherub, achieving £460 and a stylish Rene Lalique frogspawn bowl frosted in blue making £400.
On 4th April, some 400 lots were offered and another large crowd in attendance. There was some strong bidding with a quantity of silver plate making £260, a Chinese porcelain figure £240, a set of six leather bound books £190 and a quantity of Mamod engines and parts £190.
The next Antiques and Collectables Sale will be held on 5th May and Victorian and Later Effects Sales on 1st May and 15th May but don’t forget our Sporting Sale on the evening of 26th April. As always, entries are invited.
