Fine Art Auction Review

Published 30th January 2017

Dorothea Sharp (1874–1955): Summer's Day (FS33/429) sold for £48,000.

Dorothea Sharp (1874–1955): Summer's Day (FS33/429) sold for £48,000.

The highest selling price in the January 2017 Fine Sale was achieved for an oil on canvas by Dorothea Sharp (1874–1955) titled A Summer's Day (FS33/429). Depicting two young girls walking through a cornfield, typical of her work and signed Dorothea Sharp bottom left, it proved to be a highly sought after painting with many telephone bidders 'fighting it out' and, after keen bidding, the hammer finally went down for £48,000. Also in the picture section of the sale was an oil on board by Brian A Shields 'braaq' (1951–1997) titled Just Spent Me Mams Money on This. Titled on a label attached to the backboard and measuring 44.5cm x 60cm, it realised £8,200.

Just Spent Me Mams Milk Money  on This (FS33/359) by artist Brian A Shields 'Braaq' (1951-1997) realised £8,200 in Exeter.

Just Spent Me Mams Milk Money on This (FS33/359) by artist Brian A Shields 'Braaq' (1951-1997) realised £8,200 in Exeter.

In the ceramics section of the sale, a Chinese wucai porcelain calligraphy brush handle (FS33/621) exceeded all expectations. Probably dating from the 19th Century and measuring 16cm long, it was decorated in under glaze blue and over glaze red, green and yellow with a dragon chasing flaming pearls. There was again large numbers of telephone bidders and interest from the internet bidding platform, which secured a hammer price of £33,000.

An Italian Della Robbia maiolica plaque (FS33/656) relief moulded with the Madonna and Child flanked by two Saints sold for £7,200.

Chinese Wucai porcelain calligraphy brush handle (FS33/621) in the ceramics section of the sale exceeded all expectations to realise £33,000.

Chinese Wucai porcelain calligraphy brush handle (FS33/621) in the ceramics section of the sale exceeded all expectations to realise £33,000.

An Italian 'Della Robbia' Maiolica Plaque (FS33/656) also sold well for £7,200 in the Ceramics section of the auction.

An Italian 'Della Robbia' Maiolica Plaque (FS33/656) also sold well for £7,200 in the Ceramics section of the auction.

Jewellery prices were strong in the sale with a diamond single stone ring (FS33/320) selling for £6,800, whilst a 19th Century sapphire and diamond bee brooch (FS33/230), set with rose cut diamonds sold for £4,300

This 19th Century Sapphire and Diamond Bee Brooch (FS33/230) offered in our Two Day
        Fine Art Sale went under the hammer for £4,300.

This 19th Century Sapphire and Diamond Bee Brooch (FS33/230) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale went under the hammer for £4,300.

In the silver section an impressive Edward VII silver two handled centre bowl (FS33/148) maker Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd, London 1903, weighing a massive 134.53ozs realised £5,600.

An Impressive Edward VII Silver Two-handled Centre Bowl by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd sold for £5,600.

An Impressive Edward VII Silver Two-handled Centre Bowl by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd sold for £5,600.

There were a few star lots in the works of art section of the sale with a large Japanese carved and stained ivory articulated dragon (FS33/888) formed from numerous overlapping sections with spines which sold for £19,000 and a Chinese bronze censer (FS33/851) bearing six character Xuande mark which went under the hammer for £10,500. Also, a Fijian club (FS33/916) exceeded expectations selling for £8,600.

The large Japanese Carved and Stained Ivory Articulated Dragon (FS33/888) in the Works of Art section was acquired on a bid of £19,000.

The large Japanese Carved and Stained Ivory Articulated Dragon (FS33/888) in the Works of Art section was acquired on a bid of £19,000.

The Fijian Throwing Club (FS33/888) in the Works of Art section of the auction also exceeded expectations, attracting a winning bid of £8,600.

The Fijian Throwing Club (FS33/888) in the Works of Art section of the auction also exceeded expectations, attracting a winning bid of £8,600.

Furniture prices were strong too, with an 18th Century Anglo Indian and chinoiserie decorated cabinet on stand (FS33/1219) selling for £7,500 and an apprenticeman's 18th Century walnut oyster veneer chest (FS33/1097) selling for £4,400.

The Furniture section of the auction saw this 18th Century Anglo-Indian and Chinoiserie
        Decorated Cabinet on a Stand (FS33/1219) sell for £7,500.

The Furniture section of the auction saw this 18th Century Anglo-Indian and Chinoiserie Decorated Cabinet on a Stand (FS33/1219) sell for £7,500.

An Apprenticeman's 18th Century Walnut Oyster Veneer Chest (FS33/1097) also sold for £4,400 in the Furniture section of the sale.

An Apprenticeman's 18th Century Walnut Oyster Veneer Chest (FS33/1097) also sold for £4,400 in the Furniture section of the sale.

Tags

  • Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
  • Fine Art Auctions

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