Not just the arcane specialist sections discussed on the previous page but areas like decorative glass, 20th century limited Worcester and Beswick editions and latter-day works of art, an example of which
at Bristol was a pair of 20th century
reproduction bronze figures of Cavalier pikemen.
Modelled after Winslow and each measuring 6ft (1.85m) high on hexagonal plinths, the pair was purchased by an interior decorator on behalf of a client at £1800.
Elsewhere among the sculpture a Victorian-style green-painted cast iron garden fountain with two circular tiers surmounted by a dolphin and cherub, 3ft 8in (1.11m) diameter, sold privately at £600; a bronze of a retriever by Jules Moginez made £580 and a racehorse signed John Willis Good, sold at £600.
Highlight of the ceramics was a c.1810 puce sponged pair of North Country cow creamers each measuring 5in (12.5cm) high and attended by a maid on a milking stool. Although lacking their ears and horns, the pair still managed £1000 from a collector.
The same amount of money was paid for an Italian renaissance-style jardiniere on stand, 3ft 10in (1.18m) high, decorated with allegorical scenes.
A private collection of Worcester limited edition collectables consigned from a deceased estate in Weston-super-Mare was highlighted by equine models. Hackney Stallion attracted £740, Mill Reef took £640 and Appaloosa Stallion sold at £560.
Best of the Beswick was the Beatrix Potter figure Mr Benjamin Bunny which brought £255, while the Doulton Burslem figure Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine attracted £390 despite three small chips.
Most attention among the works of art was focused on two small boxes, a George III satinwood and marquetry tea caddy which brought £520 and – consigned in remarkably good condition for its type – a Regency penwork tea caddy which sold at £730.
Glass was led by a Victorian pair of 10-drop trumpet-shaped lustre vases decorated in blue enamel and gilt, which attracted £250 while the furniture was topped by two burr walnut lots – a Maples & Co. Queen Anne-style dining room suite comprising a serpentine sideboard, six dining chairs and extending dining table which sold to the trade at £1450, and a Victorian piano top davenport of typical composition fitted with four real and four dummy drawers on ceramic castors, 22in (55cm) wide, which sold at £1350.
Bristol Auction Rooms, Bristol, March 9
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Collectables fill the traditional gap
UK: AS good-quality traditional antiques become harder to find – no piece of furniture made more than £1500 among the 902 lots at Bristol – collectables are becoming more and more of a commercial proposition at auction.
