Dear Friends,
I am writing this missive as the snow falls outside – what an unpredictable year.
Our next auction is scheduled for THURSDAY, 15TH APRIL 2021, and it predominantly covers all the FURNITURE that has accumulated here since February 2020. Having unpacked and sorted it all, some wonderful items have been revealed, including, on the antique side, an unusual early George III mahogany kneehole desk purchased at Sotheby & Co. in 1971 for £580. It’s unusual in that it has drawers on both sides, but only one kneehole. Marginally younger, we have a cracking mahogany secretaire chest on chest with interesting moulded decoration to the frame, the secretaire drawer centred by a revolving mirror flanked by stepped drawers. It has original heavy-duty brass drop handles, rather like the other Georgian secretaire-chest we have, of four drawers on bracket feet.
Chests abound in this sale, ranging from the inlaid mahogany of the Edwardian era to bow-fronted and flat-fronted Victorian examples. We also have two early 20th century plan chests.
The Victorian furniture includes a spectacular serpentine side cabinet in figured walnut, the pair of doors with floral marquetry embellished with gilt metal. This came from the same home as a Victorian writing table, again in figured walnut above a frieze drawer, raised on fluted turned legs with scrolling H-stretcher, and a break-front credenza of traditional form, the inlaid central door flanked by glass display cabinets. It’s one of two.
Getting up to date, we have a very smart 1960s dining room suite in teak and exotic hardwood, probably by Archie Shine for Robert Heritage, comprising a sideboard, dining table with two leaves, serving table and six chairs. From the same house come two wall units, each matching and on satin aluminium frames. Of that period we also have a number of G-Plan teak wall units, approximately six in total. Also mid-20th century is a teak extending dining table with matching sideboard and six stylish chairs, also a dining room suite that appears unused by Benny Linden Design.
Furnishings brings some wonderful chairs and sofas, with a pair of settees of classical form from Sinclair Melson Ltd, upholsterers to the Queen. There is also a lovely modern settee covered in a grey-flecked fabric with supply date to the client around 12 March 2020. This came from a home with a good pair of arm chairs upholstered in a modern floral fabric.
MODERN FURNITURE also includes a spectacular set of six dining chairs in cherry and aspen wood, made on a commission. The slatted backs are styled most effectively as willowy trees. From a wonderful home in Wandsworth we have a hardwood bench, probably in teak, by Lindsey Plantation Teak.
If it’s dining tables you need, we have a modern Chinese hardwood extending table with a pierced and carved frieze, with six chairs, and a traditional D-end mahogany dining table on twin tripod supports.
There are about 150 furniture lots .
The JEWELLERY and ART OBJECTS section comprises about 50 lots and includes useful rings, one with two large diamonds flanking a sapphire, gold necklaces, and an early 20th century tonneau-shaped, cushion-cased Rolex wristwatch in 9 ct gold. There is in addition a charming collection of silver boxes which we are offering in about 20 lots.
The remainder of the sale comprises Oriental and other Eastern CARPETS and RUGS, probably 20 lots, some Gucci clothing, records and toys, and shelves of collectables including stamps, coins, postcards, and old photographs, all still to be catalogued. A toy collection is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
VIEWING for this sale is available by appointment, so please ring and speak to Melanie to book yourself in. We will be open for viewing on Wednesday 14th April only, between 11 am and 6.30 pm. There will be no presence within the saleroom from bidders on sale day.
All lots are illustrated and our catalogue can be found on UKAuctioneers and our own website from Sunday evening.
ONLINE BIDDING IS WITH UKAuctioneers or by commissioning us to bid on your behalf, and we do have a few telephone lines available for higher-priced items. Please remember that clearance of lots is by appointment. You will need to provide an extra pair of hands if you are buying large furniture lots.
Here’s hoping that you are well, and with luck vaccinated, and we look forward to seeing you face-to-face for the first time in almost a year. Cheer up, the pubs are open soon!
