Fine Art Auction Review

The first Fine Sale since the lockdown proved to be very healthy with strong results in all sections. The large sale, with over 1,000 sold lots totalling £410,000, achieved an 83% selling rate and bodes well for future sales as we emerge into the new normality.

A Diamond single-stone ring (FS46/304) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 21st July 2020 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Whilst we never completely closed during lockdown, there is nothing like a healthy Fine Sale to trumpet the fact that we're back in business. The sale comprised of 1,000 lots totalling a £410,000 with an 83% selling rate providing us all with real hope for a return to normality.

The most expensive lot was a Daoguang mark and period bowl (FS46/533), which sold for a hammer price of £12,000; a particularly pleasing result as it was spotted in a box lot destined for an Antiques and Interiors Sale

A Chinese Famille Rose Medallion Bowl (FS46/533) realised £12,000.

There were 50 lots of Chinese porcelain and all were keenly contested with buyers apparently happy to overlook damages in some cases, with more modest Chinese pieces making between £90 and £5,700.

Likewise, the works of art also received attention from Oriental bidders with the top lot being a pair of bronze incense burners in the form of Qilins (FS46/699) achieving £4,700. The same price achieved by a Prattware Martha Gunn toby jug FS46/566), which must be a record.

A late 18th Century Prattware 'Martha Gunn' Toby Jug and Cover (FS46/566) realised £4,700.

A pair of Chinese Bronze Incense Burners in the form of Qilins (FS46/699).

Another area that seems to have some Chinese cross-over is clocks though the William Frodsham bell-top bracket clock (FS46/894) selling at £4,800 and the William Threlkeld quarter-repeating bracket clock (FS46/894a) realising £3,600 - both found British homes.

A William FrodshamGeorgian Bell-top Bracket Clock (FS46/894) fethched £4,800.

A William Threlkeld (London) Georgian quarter-repeating bracket clock (FS46/894a).

However, the most vibrant section was the jewellery driven by a high gold price and a current desire for portable wealth. A diamond single stone ring (FS46/304) at £9,600; a Blancpain 18 carat moon phase chronograph wristwatch (FS46/203) at £5,000; and a diamond three stone ring (FS46/318) at £4,800 were the highlights, though uptake was strong throughout the watches and jewellery.

A Gentleman's 18ct Gold Cased Blancpain Moonphase Split Second Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch (FS46/203) sold for £5,000.

A Three-stone Diamond Ring (FS46/318) went under the hammer for £4,800.

Whilst the silver couldn't quite match the jewellery for prices, it almost achieved a 100% selling rate with a pair of Berthold Muller silver pheasants (FS46/117) coming out on top at £2,100.

A pair of continental silver pheasants, bearing the import marks for Berthold Muller of Chester in 1909 (FS46/117).

Keeping with country pursuits, A hunt in full cry attributed to John Francis Sartorius (FS46/397) attracted a bid of £3,100 although top slot amongst the paintings went to an archetypal Thomas Luny view of Teignmouth and Shaldon Bridge (FS46/480), which netted £3,600.

Attributed To John Francis Sartorius (1755-1831): A Hunt in Full-cry (FS46/397).

Thomas Luny (1759-1837): Shaldon Bridge, Teignmouth, Devon, (FS46/480).

Finally, furniture rounded off day two of the sale with interest across the board with £3,300 for a striking Regency Egyptiansque overmantel mirror (FS46/1021); £2,900 for a beautiful William & Mary oyster veneered chest (FS46/944); £1,900 for an oak Arts and Crafts bookcase by Gustav Stickley (FS46/1012) and a very pleasing £1,750 for the last lot in the sale - a pair of Edwardian stoneware garden urns (FS46/1046).