Fine Art Auction Review (5)

Published 24th July 2020

A Diamond single-stone ring (FS46/304) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 21st July 2020 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Whilst we never completely closed during lockdown, there is nothing like a healthy Fine Sale to trumpet the fact that we're back in business. The sale comprised of 1,000 lots totalling a £410,000 with an 83% selling rate providing us all with real hope for a return to normality.

The most expensive lot was a Daoguang mark and period bowl (FS46/533), which sold for a hammer price of £12,000; a particularly pleasing result as it was spotted in a box lot destined for an Antiques and Interiors Sale

A Chinese Famille Rose Medallion Bowl (FS46/533) realised £12,000.

There were 50 lots of Chinese porcelain and all were keenly contested with buyers apparently happy to overlook damages in some cases, with more modest Chinese pieces making between £90 and £5,700.

Likewise, the works of art also received attention from Oriental bidders with the top lot being a pair of bronze incense burners in the form of Qilins (FS46/699) achieving £4,700. The same price achieved by a Prattware Martha Gunn toby jug FS46/566), which must be a record.

A late 18th Century Prattware 'Martha Gunn' Toby Jug and Cover (FS46/566) realised £4,700.

A pair of Chinese Bronze Incense Burners in the form of Qilins (FS46/699).

Another area that seems to have some Chinese cross-over is clocks though the William Frodsham bell-top bracket clock (FS46/894) selling at £4,800 and the William Threlkeld quarter-repeating bracket clock (FS46/894a) realising £3,600 - both found British homes.

A William FrodshamGeorgian Bell-top Bracket Clock (FS46/894) fethched £4,800.

A William Threlkeld (London) Georgian quarter-repeating bracket clock (FS46/894a).

However, the most vibrant section was the jewellery driven by a high gold price and a current desire for portable wealth. A diamond single stone ring (FS46/304) at £9,600; a Blancpain 18 carat moon phase chronograph wristwatch (FS46/203) at £5,000; and a diamond three stone ring (FS46/318) at £4,800 were the highlights, though uptake was strong throughout the watches and jewellery.

A Gentleman's 18ct Gold Cased Blancpain Moonphase Split Second Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch (FS46/203) sold for £5,000.

A Three-stone Diamond Ring (FS46/318) went under the hammer for £4,800.

Whilst the silver couldn't quite match the jewellery for prices, it almost achieved a 100% selling rate with a pair of Berthold Muller silver pheasants (FS46/117) coming out on top at £2,100.

A pair of continental silver pheasants, bearing the import marks for Berthold Muller of Chester in 1909 (FS46/117).

Keeping with country pursuits, A hunt in full cry attributed to John Francis Sartorius (FS46/397) attracted a bid of £3,100 although top slot amongst the paintings went to an archetypal Thomas Luny view of Teignmouth and Shaldon Bridge (FS46/480), which netted £3,600.

Attributed To John Francis Sartorius (1755-1831): A Hunt in Full-cry (FS46/397).

Thomas Luny (1759-1837): Shaldon Bridge, Teignmouth, Devon, (FS46/480).

Finally, furniture rounded off day two of the sale with interest across the board with £3,300 for a striking Regency Egyptiansque overmantel mirror (FS46/1021); £2,900 for a beautiful William & Mary oyster veneered chest (FS46/944); £1,900 for an oak Arts and Crafts bookcase by Gustav Stickley (FS46/1012) and a very pleasing £1,750 for the last lot in the sale - a pair of Edwardian stoneware garden urns (FS46/1046).