The star lot of the April 2015 Fine Sale was a Chinese Red Cinnabar Lacquer 'Dragon' Box and Cover (FS26/733), which realised £44,000 after fierce bidding between telephone and Internet bidders at our saleroom complex in Exeter, Devon.
The Fine Art Sale held on 21st/22nd April 2015 provided a great many excitements, with fierce bidding in the room, on the telephones and from the Internet .
The star lot of the sale was a fine and large Chinese red cinnabar lacquer 'dragon' box and cover (FS26/733). Of circular form, the domed cover was carved with a five clawed dragon writhing around a flaming pearl surrounded by cloud scrolls. The sides had four further dragons and two pearls between key pattern borders. With provenance of a private collection in Dorset, this unusual piece created quite a stir from the Internet and telephone bidders and finally went under the hammer for £44,000.
The top ceramic lot (and second in the sale) was a rare English delftware blue-dash charger (FS26/493) that fetched £23,000.
In the ceramics section of the sale, a rare English delftware blue-dash charger (FS26/493) surpassed its estimate. Painted in blue, yellow, iron red and green with a large peacock displaying between trees, this rare piece was highly sought after. This charger belongs to a small but distinctive group of early 18th Century delftware chargers boldly painted with a variety of bird, animal and figure subjects. Again there was huge interest on both internet bidding platforms and it was sold for £23,000.
Another rare delftware charger painted with a figure representing Pulcinella (FS26/492) also exceeded expectations, selling for £11,500.
A similar charger painted with a figure representing Pulcinella (FS26/492), wearing his jester's costume with sugar loaf hat realised £11,500.
This Persian Ivory, Mother of Pearl and Horn Mounted wood box and cover (FS26/803) also exceeded expectations, realing £13,500 in the auction.
A super quality Persian ivory, mother of pearl and horn mounted wood box and cover (FS26/803) in the form of a parrot also exceeded expectations selling for £13,500
A Gentleman's 18ct Gold Patek Philippe Wristwatch (FS26/176) sold close to its upper estimate at £9,000 in the fine jewellery auction of the sale.
A diamond single stone ring (FS26/306) fetched £5,400 in the fine jewellery auction within the sale.
The painting of a Classical Beauty with a Greek Lyre on a marble Balcony (FS26/332) by the artist Henry Ryland (1856-1924) went under the hammer for £4,800.
The Queen Anne silver bleeding bowl (FS26/142) made in Exeter in 1707 by the silversmith John Elston realised £2,800.
In the jewellery section of the sale, a Patek Philippe gentleman's 18th gold wristwatch (FS26/176) sold extremely well at £9,000 and a diamond single stone ring (FS26/306) with a round old brilliant cut diamond estimated to weigh 2.2.cts sold for £5,400.
A charming painting by Henry Ryland (1856-1924) entitled Classical beauty with Greek lyre on a marble balcony (FS26/332), signed and dated Henry Ryland 1902 fetched £4,800.
A provincial Queen Anne silver bleeding bowl (FS26/142) by the maker John Elston of Exeter, 1707 proved popular too. Of beaten compressed circular form, the pierced and scroll handle with pricked initials EC and MI and measuring 12cm diameter. It went under the hammer for £2,800.
This George III mahogany serpentine fronted sideboard (FS26/920) sold for £2,700 at the auction held in Exeter.
In the furniture section of the sale, a George III mahogany serpentine fronted sideboard (FS26/920) of small size realised £2,700.
Three Meissen Plates (FS26/568) attracted a winning bid of £4,700 after being highly sought after during the auction.
Three Meissen porcelain plates (FS26/568) were also highly sought after. Each were decorated in white enamel on a cobalt blue ground with classical Greek figures within gold borders. After extended bidding they realised £4,700.
Entries are currently being invited for the next Quarterly Fine Art Sale (FS27) to be held on 14th/15th July 2015. Entries close on 9th June 2015.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
- Fine Sales
- Henry Ryland (1856-1924)
- John Elston (Silversmith of Exeter)
- Patek Philippe
- Meissen Porcelain
