Review of July 2011 Fine Sale (Exeter, Devon)

Published 25th July 2011

Having flagged up the usual suspects before the sale it comes as little surprise to realise that the Mary Fedden Pink and Orange (FS11/334) achieved £8,800; Archibald Thorburn's Cock and Hen Pheasant in a Landscape (FS11/405) £26,000; and David Shepherd's A Cheetah Cub (Lot 407) £6,600; although perhaps a little surprising was Doris Zinkeissen's Tiger, Tiger (FS11/404) achieving £5,500 and the stylish collection of James Emile Laboureur prints netting around £16,000 with perhaps the choice of these being The Shooting Gallery (FS11/310).

All things Chinese seem to be continuing their relentless upward curve with a pale celadon jade 'mountain' (FS11/572) making £40,000 and two smaller lots of jade animals (FS11/554 and FS11/568) bringing in £6,000 and £4,000 respectively, a silver and enamel model of a junk (FS11/565) £5,600 and a pair of porcelain vases converted as lamps outstripping their estimate to make £26,000. Also from far flung Continents, but with a fantastic provenance to Robert Hottot was the Ngombe tribal stool (FS11/534) which bought £16,500.

Other highlight included a silver model of an Arabian horseman (FS11/138) at £16,000; a Breguet et Fils enamelled gold pocket watch for the Turkish market (FS11/165) £9,200; a Rolex Prince wristwatch (FS11/173) £7,000; a yellow enamel Faberge cane handle (FS11/248) £8,500; and a Martin Brothers grotesque spoon warmer £14,500.

The Shooting Gallery from a Collection of Prints by James Emile Laboureur (FS11/310).

If proof was needed that the furniture market is still strong for the right pieces then look no further than the George III mahogany serpentine fronted serving table (FS11/662) at £21,000, a rather tired, but genuine early 19th century mahogany bookcase (FS11/661) at £5,200 and a Victorian burr walnut veneered example (FS11/709) at £5,600.

For more information about future fine sales, please contact Nic Saintey on (01392) 413100.

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