July 2015 Fine Art Auction Review

Published 23rd July 2015

A Rare Indian Mother of Pearl and Stone Casket (FS27/612) was the top-selling lot in the Summer 2015 Quarterly Fine Sale fetching £28,000.

The top selling lot emerged from the Works of Art auction of the prestigious Summer 2015 Quarterly Fine Sale held on 14th and 15th July 2015.

A rare Indian mother of pearl and stone casket (FS27/612) of rectangular form, having brass frame applied with polished red stone and mother of pearl plaques of fish scale and foliate design proved to be highly sought after. With twelve telephone bidders and numerous prospective buyers bidding on the Internet and in the room, this 17th Century rare piece finally went under the hammer for £28,000.

An unusual Chinese Cloisonné Stand or Arm Rest (FS27/524) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale in July 2015 realised £20,000.

Also amongst the Works of Art was an unusual Chinese cloisonné stand or arm rest (FS27/524) of scroll form, which exceeded all expectations. Decorated with auspicious objects on a cracked ice turquoise ground and florette cell border, bidding was fast and furious for this superb piece, which realised £20,000.

The Hermes Lady's 18ct White Gold and Diamond Mounted 'Cape Cod' Wristwatch (FS27/166) sold for £9,000.

A Diamond Mounted Three-stone Bar Brooch (FS27/224) realised £17,000.

A Diamond Mounted Three-stone Ring (FS27/260) sold for £6,800 in the jewellery auction.

The jewellery auction within the sale had a few high flying lots too, with a Hermes lady's 18ct white gold and diamond mounted 'Cape Cod' wristwatch (FS27/166) selling for £9,000 and a diamond mounted three stone bar brooch (FS27/224) selling for £17,000, again above the initial estimate. A lovely diamond mounted three stone ring (FS27/260) with a central stone weighing 1.45cts sold for £6,800.

'Their Valued Opinion' by artist Frank Moss Bennett (1874-1933) of gentlemen in a salon interior, critically engaging a portrait painting (FS27/384) fetched £6,250.

This still life by painter John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1933) was sold for £6,000.

Paintings were highly in demand. Of particular note in the pictures auction was a painting by Frank Moss Bennett (1874–1933) titled Their Valued Opinion (FS27/384). Depicting gentlemen in a salon interior, critically engaging a portrait painting, this oil on canvas realised £6,250. Also of note was the oil on board by John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836–1933) (FS27/369) depicting still life with blossom and birds nest on a mossy bank which sold for £6,600.

The 17th Century Carved Oak and Marquetry Food Cupboard (FS27/756) was sold in our salerooms for £3,800.

A pair of 19th Century Satinwood Dwarf Side Cabinets in the Regency Taste (FS27/700) went under the hammer for £3,100.

A carved oak and marquetry food cupboard dating from the 17th Century (FS27/756) proved popular. The interior with shelf enclosed by a pair of spindle turned open panel doors in carved leaf surround with marquetry panels below of birds and flowering stems. The narrow cupboard at the base enclosed by a central panel door with rosette ornament. Measuring 72cm wide x 76cm high, this quality piece realised £3,800. A pretty pair of 19th Century satinwood dwarf side cabinets in the Regency taste (FS27/700) sold for £3,100.

The Chinese Mandarin's Court Amber and Jadeite Necklace (FS27/539) succumbed to a winning bid of £3,600.

A Chinese Mandarin's court amber and jadeite necklace (FS27/539) sold well. Having one hundred and eight amber beads divided by four jadeite beads, one hung with a flattened jadeite pendant and a gilt metal mounted drop pendant, it dated from the late Qing Dynasty. The lot was sold accompanied by two reports from Gemmological Certification Services which stated that the amber and jadeite were natural and show no evidence of treatment. With this certification and provenance of Mr and Mrs McAlpine Woods , this lot finally went under the hammer for £3,600.

Overall, the lots included within the Quarterly Fine Art Sale sold extremely well, with from all over the world participating in the this prestigious auction.

The next fine art auction will be the Autumn 2015 Fine Sale and is to be held on 6th and 7th October 2015 and entries are currently being invited.

Auction Insights