FINE ART AND ANTIQUE SALE - HELD ON 10th DECEMBER 2007

The catalogues were available on the internet a week in advance of the sale with photographs of every lot being shown for the first time, giving many long distance bidders the confidence to bid remotely.

The sale really gained some speed in the Jewellery section where there was considerable excitement over a ladies two stone diamond pendant and chain, which had been guided at £100-£150, and which several people obviously had their eye on for a Christmas present. However, many were disappointed when it eventually sold for £1300, certainly making a very nice Christmas present for the vendor.

As always there was considerable interest in military items and three military swords sold particularly well, with many commission bids and two telephone bidders pushing the prices to above guide, over £1000 being paid in all. Also in the collectables section a private collection of boxed Dinky toys realised over £400.

In Ceramics, all the major factories were represented. There are always buyers for the rare and unusual. This was proved by a Royal Doulton foxhound wall mask, which despite having no backstamp realised £230, and a 1920’s Moorcroft onion shaped vase cruising to an astonishing £540, after a spirited bidding session between three telephone bidders, even though it had a broken and re-glued neck. A private entry of Doris Lindner Royal Worcester sold well with a wonderful study of a Percheron stallion taking £500. Another unusual lot was a signed Langhamer Vienna painted porcelain plaque which again sold on the telephone for £700. A Beatrix Potter Mr Pricklepin also fared well, reaching £200.

Ever popular, the Treen section exceeded expectations with a Victorian travelling dressing box, an Edwardian mahogany revolving bookcase, a Victorian walnut stationery cabinet and a C20 walnut cigar box all selling well above guide prices.

The far-reaching influence of the Internet now allows the international buyers to “shop” over vast distances, even in Penkridge, and within the paintings and furniture there were buyers from Ireland, Denmark, Japan and China. There was considerable Irish interest in an oil painting by N. McGuinness (1901-1980) and telephone bidders took it to £1200, which means it will be returning to Irish shores. All the watercolours sold with a harbour scene by Maurice Wilkes (1911-1984) attracting the highest bid of £200.

Five locally entered longcase clocks proved popular, with a brass faced single finger example by makers ‘Wright of Knoll’ selling, again on the telephone, for £1300 and another by J. Trendell doubling the estimate at £900. A good quality Victorian walnut stick barometer also did particularly well, selling for £950.

Very few furniture lots remained unsold, again very pleasing and surprising in the current climate. An Edwardian rosewood mirror backed chiffonier will be making its way to Japan and a C19 Chinese rosewood altar table will be returning to its original home. Modern furniture also proved popular with Old Charm selling well, particularly a twin-pedestal desk at £620 and a good quality modern pine painted kitchen dresser causing the room to gasp when it was keenly fought for up to a final bid of £1800.

Cuttlestones next Fine Art & Antique Sale will be taking place on Friday 29th February at 11.00am. They are taking entries now every Thursday and Friday 9.00 – 5.00.

For any other details:

Cuttlestones Ltd, Auctioneers & Valuers
Address : Penkridge Salerooms, Pinfold Lane, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5AP
Telephone : 01785 714905
Fax : 01785 715918
Website : www.cuttlestones.co.uk
Email : office@cuttlestones.co.uk