Summer 2017 South West Fine Sale Review

Published 14th July 2017

The recumbent nude from the studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) (FS35/402) fetched £62,000 exceeding all expectations.

The Fine Art Auction to be held 11th/12th July 2017 includes over 1,100 lots of silver, jewellery, paintings, ceramics, works of art and furniture.

The Quarterly Fine Art Sale on 11th/12th July 2017 produced more surprises than anticipated.

Top of the list was the oil on canvas from the studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) of a recumbent nude on a balustrade balcony (FS35/402). With a good provenance and measuring 129 x 196cm, this painting exceeded all expectations, selling for £62,000.

Another of the excitements on the first day of the sale was a Georgian foil backed sapphire and diamond cluster ring (FS35/319). The cushion shaped sapphire measuring approximately 10.4mm long x 9.3mm wide, was set within a surround of old cut diamonds, estimated to weigh 0.90cts. The ring was accompanied by a report from the GCS Laboratory stating that the sapphire was 'natural corundum, Sri Lanka, with no indications of heating'. The age, size and the fact that the sapphire had not been heat treated led this lot to sell for £19,000.

This Georgian foil backed sapphire and diamond cluster ring (FS35/319) created a stir selling for £19,000.

The 1930s diamond mounted bracelet (FS35/360) performed well being acquired for £16,000.

The Art Deco design silver flatware service (FS35/51) by James Dixon realised £3,300.

Also within the jewellery section was the stunning 1930s diamond mounted bracelet (FS35/360) containing diamonds estimated to weigh approximately 35 carats, which sold for £16,000. A stylish silver Art Deco design flatware service (FS35/51) by the maker James Dixon and Sons, Sheffield 1945/47 also sold well. Weighing in at 207.23ozs, it sold for £3,300.

Other highlights of the first day of the sale included two paintings by the artist P Guerena (19th Century Italian). The first titled The Piazza, San Marco, Venice (FS35/447) sold for £15,000 and the second titled The Grand Canal Venice (FS35/448) sold for £13,000.

The Piazza, San Marco, Venice by artist P Guerena (FS35/447) sold well for £15,000.

The Grand Canal, Venice by also by P Guerena (FS35/448) sold for £13,000.

Day Two started well with the ceramics and glass section of the sale. One of the highlights of this part of the sale was the wonderful private collection of Flight Barr and Barr on offer, which was keenly sought after by telephone bidders and in the room.

The highest priced lot from this collection was a Barr (Worcester) triple spill vase (FS35/771) with three conjoined vases, finely painted with oval panels of seashells and seaweed. Dating from circa 1800–1805, the hammer finally went down at £17,000, whilst a similar Barr Flight and Barr (Worcester) triple spill vase, decorated by Thomas Baxter (FS35/770) sold for £15,000.

A large Chinese famille verte bowl (FS35/630) also exceeded its estimate. Finely painted with warriors and other figures and dating from the Kangxi period, it realised £12,000, whilst a large Meissen porcelain group of Catherine II of Russia's favourite dog (FS35/788), modelled after the original by Johann Joachim Kaendler (FS35/788) dating from circa 1850–70 sold for £6,400.

There were some excellent results in the Ceramics Auction: This Barr Flight Barr Worcester Triple Spill Vase (FS35/771) sold for £17,000.

A similar Barr Flight Barr Worcester Triple Spill Vase decorated by Thomas Baxter (FS35/770) sold for £15,000.

This large Chinese Famille Verte bowl (FS35/630) amongst the Oriental Ceramics exceeded its estimate selling at £12,000.

The large Meissen Porcelain Group of Catherine II of Russia's favourite dog (FS35/788) realised £6,400.

In the works of art section of the sale, a North West Coast Native American carved horn spoon (FS35/875) was also highly sought after. This unusual piece, carved depicting a figure being eaten by a giant fish and measuring 25cm long went under the hammer for £4,600.

An unusual North West Coast Native American carved horn spoon (FS35/875) in the Works of Art auction sold for £4,000.

The Furniture auction saw some excellent prices with an 18th Century Anglo-Indian and Chinoiserie Cabinet (FS35/1103) realisng £6,800.

Furniture was last to be sold in the auction and some excellent prices were achieved, including £6,800 for an 18th Century Anglo-Indian and chinoiserie decorated cabinet on stand (FS35/1103).

Entries are currently being invited for the next Fine Art Sale to be held on 3rd/4th October 2017 – entries close on 16th August 2017.

Auction Insights