SMART MINIATURE – AN 18TH CENTURY DELIGHT
John Nicholsons of Fernhurst celebrated 50 years of auctioneering on May 26th, 27th & 28th, the first day contained a large collection of watch cases, formally part of Dr Beesons personal collection, the highlights being a lovely 17/18th century walnut longcase by Joseph Knibb, although a marriage, the prize clock still found a home at £8900 including buyers premium, the sale generally proved a hit with bidders and a phone line from the Netherlands buying many of the clock cases.
The second day contained Glass, Ceramics, Oriental, Silver, Ornamentals and Bronzes. With numerous items fetching well above the pre sale estimates, one surprise being a large 18th century stoneware tankard, believed to be produced at the Vauxhall factory around 1730, the tankard was estimated at £200-300, it eventually was secured against six phone lines for £3650 including buyers premium. 18th century porcelain shows no signs of being affected by the recession with any pieces still fetching a premium, an early bow jug decorated with deer in a landscape made £1100 under the hammer, and a lovely 18th century Worcester blue scale sucrier and cover fetched £575 including buyers premium.
However once again it was to be The Oriental market that has been making the headlines around regional salerooms, the market has never been stronger and fierce competition has paved way for big prices on desirable items, a small imperial style yellow glazed teabowl estimated at £40-60, proved conservative as bidding began well above estimate, eventually was secured by a bidder in the room for £2100 including buyers premium. A well carved 19th century jade backed mirror, estimated at £300-500 made £3800 including buyers premium, a 19th century cloisonné vase made £1100 including buyers premium. A small collection of ivory figures all sold well above estimate, a pair of scholars made £3400 including premium, and a single seated gentleman made £2200 including premium.
A lovely George III miniature by on of the finest portrait artists of his time John Smart depicting a seated Georgian gentleman soon surpassed its cautious £2000-3000, a five figure bid was left with the auctioneer, however a determined phone bidder purchased the piece for £14,500 including buyers premium.
The market for furniture has gone from strength to strength in recent months, a local house clearance unearthed a large George III mahogany bookcase, although with a later cornice, estimated at £2000-3000, a bidder took a shine to the piece and secured it for £14,000 including premium. An early 18th century walnut kneehole desk of small proportions was a real delight, making £3900 including buyers premium.
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