 The November sale is nearly full already. It’s like the old days. We’ve had lots of calls to homes with interesting contents. One of the loveliest visits I’ve done for a while was to a home in Moor Park. ‘Do you sell tea caddies?’ asked the client. ‘Certainly,’ says I. ‘Well, here are three to take away.’ Each 19th century tortoiseshell. I couldn’t believe it, remembering that I’ve only had perhaps three to sell in thirty years. And they are in lovely condition. I was also given a boulle mantel clock purchased quite recently from Carlton Clocks for thousands, a Meissen bowl, two pairs of Famille Rose 18th century plates and 5 fabulous Aubusson cushions. All without reserves of course. Oh – and she added bottles of 18-year single malt whisky, bottles of Champagne including Roederer Cristal and Taylor’s vintage port.
Richmond, Surrey, has brought us the perfect home of two nonagenarian artists. Whilst the boxed small items are being held over to the December 17th sale, we are including the lovely furniture and the books, which cover Bermuda, bee-keeping, including Wildman Bees 2nd edition, Keys 1780 and Bagster 1834, and natural history including bark’s Travels in Africa 1799 (with maps) and also a map of Bermuda by Speed 1626 published by Humble. They will be included with the leather-bound books we have removed from a convent in Brondesbury Park. Some are Russian.
Two lovely local homes have brought in interesting lots including a wonderful long-case clock (one of 2) maker Thos. Earnshaw, London 1830. Other clocks include Art Deco mantel clocks, one mounted with figures of Pierrot and Columbine, a Vienna wall clock, and an Atmos mantle clock. We have reproduction furniture as usual with a set of exquisite quality mahogany George I dining chairs. That home also brought in a very tall 19th century display cabinet with Chinese Chippendale style glazing. There is also a charming Victorian sofa on turned legs.
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A wonderful Ascot home has given us three large bronzes and yet another home has supplied one of the best Art Deco burr walnut dining suites by Epstein including 6 ‘cloud’ chairs with red leather upholstery and a rib-fronted cocktail cabinet with peach glass interior. Mirrors? We have hundreds. Well, quite a lot, including Venetian, reproduction and Art Deco. The shelves are filling up fast and already hold a full set of modern Baccarat wine and water glasses, bronzes, good porcelain, pottery and glass, and interesting character mugs including Churchill and Monty. Toys include railways, games, etc.
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SILVER includes tea wares and flatware. JEWELLERY is very busy, with a wonderful opal pendant and lots of gold and precious stones. Art objects include a charming dressing table clock, the movement revolving the sails of a windmill. PICTURES look very interesting. I rather like a group of Venetian ink drawings, very loosely drawn. It’s a large section.
The GENERAL EFFECTS often get little mention and there are always bargains. The Ascot home has provided a painted pine dresser. It may be made-up but it reeks of quality. The same home provided hi-fi by Kenwood. That make never came cheap. From the collection of Clive Peerless we have jazz records and books. Need white goods? We have plenty of washing machines and fridges. There is a fabulous double bed, etc. There is a Knoll settee and a suite raised on feet carved with wings.
From an estate in Hampton we are offering a great SUV. It’s a Hyundai Terracan, 2005, one owner, only 37,000 miles, and taxed to December.
The estimate is £4000-£6000. A BARGAIN.
