Latest Fine Art Sale Is Best Yet…

Cuttlestones Auctioneers and Valuers were in jubilant mood at the end of their September Fine Art and Collectables sale as it proved to be their most successful sale to date.

	Victorian Pink Glass Lustres which sold for £660

‘As a progressive auctioneers it is always pleasing to see that all the hard work and investment is paying off’ said Ben Gamble, the Auctioneers Managing Director.

‘We have invested heavily in technology by being one of the first to introduce live worldwide internet bidding, in where the sale is broadcast live on the internet for bidders across the globe. Alongside this we have brought on board a marketing team to gain improved exposure for our customers’ items and this is all backed up by our renowned excellent customer service that has always been our main focus.’ He said.

With a strong and varied selection of over 400 lots the sale was always going to generate a lot of interest - and so it proved. While sales were strong in all categories, it was particularly pleasing to see furniture prices start to improve in what is seen as a start to a change in tastes from the modern styles that have dominated recent years.

Silver has always sold well at Cuttlestones and this sale was no exception with notable bids of £450 on a modern 4 branch candelabra and another modern lot in the form of a 4 piece silver tea service from 1968 selling for £520. People cannot have failed to notice the price of gold over the last 18 months and it remains a strong seller with even items such as a small tray of assorted gold items chipping in at £500 and the successful bid on a ¾ carat diamond horseshoe brooch was a respectable £360

As mentioned earlier, it would appear a change in fashion is developing, and this is no better illustrated than in the sale of a pair of Victorian pink glass lustres estimated at £100 - £150 finally selling for a handsome £660 after strong bidding within the room, on the phone and via the internet. Not too far behind was a classic pair of classic Royal Dux figures reaching a price of £400.

Two other traditional areas of collecting that are coming to the fore are Stamps and Militaria. Stamps have been popular in recent sales which Ben Gamble attributes to the recent consultancy struck up with Geoff Milsom who is a member of the Philatelic Traders Society. ‘Geoff has helped us win three great stamp collections which otherwise would have gone to another saleroom. A local consignment from a Penkridge private vendor attracted a total of over £1400.’ In the militaria section small collections of WWI and Nazi memorabilia sold well. A WWI trio of medals and an M.S.M from the 1st Canadian mounted rifles, together with a group picture, chipped in at £470 whilst interest in the Nazi items - including a car pennant and related badges - reached a great final figure of £640.

	The 18th Century Inlaid Mahogany SpecimenTable £5,800

As always, an auction house never quite knows what will come through its doors to sell for its hopeful customers and this sale was no exception. A large ‘brain’ coral was amongst the more unusual pieces to come up for sale, selling for £400.
British pictures also achieved better than estimated prices with a 1783 -1859 David I Cox watercolour of ‘Harlech Castle’ reaching £700 only to be beaten by a Tom Clough watercolour of a harbour with fishing boats reaching £750.

But it was the furniture and Clocks section that proved most pleasing. With prices having fallen dramatically over recent years it was interesting to note improved sales all around. A Victorian games compendium kicked things off, settling at £960 after a lot of telephone and internet bidding. This was closely followed by a late 19th Century Swiss inlaid music box ringing in a final bid of £800. Three long case clocks from Halifax, Knaresboro’ and Loughboro’ attracted the bidders eye fetching £1,000, £650 and £700 respectively. A large mahogany ‘chest on chest’ in a Chippendale style went away for a healthy £800, and reproduction Victorian commode bombe weighed in at £1,150.

Over the years the furniture entries have provided some buoyant prices helped by good location and also a genuine saleroom reputation and this sale was no exception. A local house clearance presented the auctioneers with an excellent quality 19th century specimen table. The circular top had an excellent selection of specimen marbles with various examples including Derbyshire Blue John. Six telephone lines were booked and the pre sale estimate was left standing as a member of the London trade won the day at £5800.

Other notable furniture entries included a quality reproduction commode that took a mid estimate £1150, a fabulous rosewood davenport that attracted a bid of £920 and a turn of the century snooker scoreboard and cue stand taking a combined £1500. From the 125 furniture entries over half realised £300 + which hopefully gives cause for optimism.

For further information call Ben Gamble on 01785 714905.