Fine Art Auction Review
Published 30th January 2017
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.