Summer 2016 Fine Art Auction Review
Published 15th July 2016
The three top selling lots in the Summer 2016 Fine Sale were all paintings. Firstly, the highlight was the Helen Bradley (1900-1979) painting (FS31/362) of Piccadilly, Manchester 1915, which carried the provenance of the Helen Bradley Studio Ltd, WH Patterson, London. After fierce telephone and internet bidding, the hammer finally went down at £115,000.
Another painting by the same hand entitled Going Home from Gt Aunt Janes (FS31/361), signed bottom left and again an oil on board sold for £15,200.
A painting in the manner of Michelangelo Caravaggio (late 18th/19th Century) (FS31/417) also whisked up quite a stir. Depicting The Lute Player, a young courtesan seated playing a string instrument, with other musicians at his feet, this oil on canvas measuring 123x88cm realised £26,200.
The always popular artist Paul Henry (1877–1958) didn't fail to shine either, with an oil on board of Turf Stacks with Mountains Beyond (FS31/377) selling for £11,000.
Jewellery prices were buoyant on the day, with a platinum, sapphire and diamond ring (FS31/267) with central cushion shaped sapphire between three rows of diamond sets shoulders fetching £10,500 and a platinum and diamond single stone ring (FS31/277) realising £8,000. Another single stone ring (FS31/290) with the stone estimated at 1.5cts sold for £3,900.
In the ceramics auction of the sale, a Chinese Export ‘Tobacco Leaf’ part dinner service (FS31/533) created much interest from the United Kingdom and overseas and realised £11,000, whilst a Sevres hard paste porcelain coffee can and saucer (FS31/686), finely painted with bouquets and floral sprays within laurel leaf borders, sold for £4,800.
Also in this section, a pair of Chinese coral ground famille rose vases (FS31/564) sold above estimate at £3,500.
Another piece in this section was the Royal Doulton figure of a child on a crab (FS31/630), HN32, possibly a prototype, modelled in white with green backstamp, which fetched £4,000.
Of the furniture, a late 19th Century satinwood and inlaid Carlton House writing desk (FS31/1104) sold well at £3,100 and a walnut marquetry longcase clock by Fran Schooc, Amsterdam (FS31/870) realised £2,700.
Entries are currently being invited for the forthcoming fine art sale to be held on 4th/5th October 2016 at The Auction Rooms, St&nsbp;Edmunds Court, Okehampton Street, Exeter, Devon.