Summer Antique sale at Nicholson’s

Nicholson’s Auctioneers of Fernhurst, now into their 50^th year of auctioneering, hosted their Summer Fine Art and Antique sale on the 14^th & 15^th July. The first day kicked off with a large collection of 18^th century and later English pottery and porcelain. This market has been strengthening again in recent times and prices did not disappoint. Highlights included two pairs of porcelain plaques painted with storks and sporting dogs by Crown Devon sold for £1750, a large 18^th century style vase in the manner of Sevres sold for £1100 and an 18th century cream-ware ‘marriage’ plaque sold for £750. The Oriental market continued to dominate with strong interest throughout the pre-sale viewing week. Notable results included a good Japanese Tokyo school Meiji period carved ivory group which sold for £1800, an unusual Chinese Ming style twin handled dish, only measuring 5 inches across, sold for £2900 and a very well carved ivory group of tigers attacking buffalo sold for £2800. Other highlights of the day included two collections of military service medals from the Crimean and other wars. Awarded to Major Edward Rooper and Captain William Rooper of the Rifle Brigade, they were keenly contested with each surpassing their bottom estimate and selling to the same telephone bidder for £2400 and £850 respectively. An 18^th century miniature portrait painting of George I sold for £750 and a rare and early James II oval silver tobacco box sold well. Dating from 1687 and hallmarked in London it measured just 3.5 inches wide and sold for £1500.

The second day saw furniture and paintings come under the hammer. The furniture market has been hit by the recession in recent times, however at Nicholson’s quality shone through to show that the better and rarer pieces can still sell well. Perhaps the largest and most impressive item in the sale was a large Victorian design circular extending dining table in the manner of Robert Jupe. Jupe’s brilliant design incorporates a circular segmented top, which, as it revolves, extends, increasing the overall diameter allowing the user to insert wedge shaped leaves. Whilst very rare, an original 19^th century example will set you back several hundred thousand pounds. Nicholson’s 20^th century example was a good quality copy and estimated at £3000-5000. It had much interest through out the viewing and saw several telephone lines booked, it eventually sold over top estimate at £6000. Other highlights of the sale included a fine pair of George III mahogany Chippendale dining chairs which sold for £2400 and a set of early 19^th century carved mahogany hall chairs with painted crests which were snapped up by a phone bidder against several phone lines and sold for £1200, a superb quality French Kingwood and marquetry fold-over card table sold for £3600 and a sought after 7 ¼ inch gauge Great Eastern Railway steam locomotive, measuring 3.5 feet long, it also sold for £3600. The afternoons picture sale saw some lots take off. The top price paid was £4400 for an oil on panel by the Dutch artist Abraham Janssens (1575-1632) of hens and a cock bird in a barn. An oil on canvas of a chestnut race horse by Raoul Millais (born 1901) sold for £1800, an oil on canvas by Sir Alfred East (1849-1913) of figures by a farm sold for £1500 and a pair of coastal scenes on canvas by William Henry Williamson (1820-1883) which sold for £1900.

Nicholson’s next Fine Art & Antique sale is the 8^th & 9^th September and entries are currently being invited. They are also having a General sale on the 7^th August. For further enquiries contact Aubrey Dawson on 01428 653727.