Spring 2014 Fine Furniture Auction Preview

Published 14th April 2014

There is an interesting selection of furniture in Exeter at our auction centre on 30th April 2014 and May 1st 2014 as part of the three day Spring 2014 Fine Art Auction, which actually starts on 29th April 2014.

A pair of 16th Century Italian carved giltwood and polychrome thrones (FS22/974) are amongst the highlights of the fine furniture auction being held as part of Spring 2014 Fine Sale in Exeter and live online.

There are always items in a career of furniture cataloguing that you can say that you will never see again and I do believe it to be true that the pair of 16th Century Italian carved giltwood and polychrome decorated thrones (FS22/974) are unique.

They are offered for sale on the instruction of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral and before anyone rushes to the thought that the soon to be installed new Bishop of Exeter is a great fan of Ikea, the thrones are a relatively recent arrival at the Cathedral, having been gifted upon purchase in London by the Reverend Sir Patrick Ferguson Davie in 1960 or thereabouts.

This Regency Rosewood and Carved Giltwood Library Table (FS22/920) is inviting bids of between £5,000 and £7,000.

A Regency Rosewood Chiffonier/Bookcase (FS22/921) is being offered in the fine furniture auction with an estimate of £1,500-£2,000.

A fine quality Regency rosewood and carved giltwood library table (FS22/920) is offered with a pre-sale estimate of £5,000-£7,000 and for those looking to complete their library the Regency rosewood chiffonier/bookcase (FS22/921) would do justice with an estimate of £1,500-£2,000.

An unusual piece in the fine period furniture auction is an oak Gothic Revival sideboard designed by William White for Bishop's Court near Exeter. The sideboard carries A pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£4,000.

Another unusual lot to be offered is an oak Gothic Revival sideboard designed by William White (FS22/932) for Bishop's Court, Clyst St Mary, near Exeter. Originally sold by Bearne's in 1994 as part of a sale on the premises, it has now re-appeared with a similar estimate to that of twenty years ago of £3,000-£4,000.

A Victorian Coalbrookdale style cast iron garden set (FS22/973) is being offered in the auction with a pre-sale estimate of £600-£800.

With Summer just around the corner – for those who are considering some architectural additions to the garden - there is a Victorian Coalbrookdale style cast iron garden seat (FS22/973) with an estimate of £600-£800 or two pairs of reconstituted stone garden urns at £250-£350 each pair (FS22/790,791). If, however, you are looking for something more contemporary then a garden ornament in the form of a fish's head with open mouth (FS22/793) with an estimate of £150-£250 could provide a major new attraction for the goldfish pond.

A pair of reconstituted stone garden urns (FS22/790) carrying a pre-sale estimate of £250-£350.

Another pair of reconstituted stone garden urns (FS22/791), again carrying a pre-sale estimate of £250-£350.

A Reconstituted Stone Garden Ornament in the form of a Fish's Head (FS22/793) is attracting bids in the range £150-£250.

There is a good section of English oak furniture ranging for coffers, dressers and chairs to an early 18th Century oak court cupboard (FS22/863), which carries a pre-sale estimate of £2,500 - £3,000.

The Nye Furniture Collection III includes a set of 'Mouseman' oak bar stools (FS22/1154) by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, estimated at £4,000-£6,000.

Amongst the items to be included in the Nye Furniture Collection III there is a walnut duet stand by Edward Barnsley (FS22/1002) with an estimate of £800-£1,200 and a set of six 'Mouseman' oak bar stools by Robert Thompson of Kilburn (FS22/1154), with an estimate of £4,000-£6,000.

The Nye Collection also includes this pair of 19th Century French mahogany console tables (FS22/1143) that is inviting bids of between £4,000 and £6,000.

A particularly elegant pair of 19th Century French mahogany console tables (FS22/1143) is offered with an estimate of £4,000-£6,000 and an unusual Victorian pine and fruitwood saddle template stool (FS22/1037) is estimated at £400-£600.

A rare Victorian pine and fruitwood saddle template is also amongst the Nye Furniture Collection and is inviting bids of between £400 and £600.

They say that you have to possess an 'eye' for a good lot in the auction business and I continue to be amazed and impressed by the eye for a quality or unusual lot which the late Paul Nye possessed.