The top quality pieces in the 565-lot sale still got away to bring a hammer total of £140,000. Two of the major contributors were the two equal top sellers – a good set of four George III silver decanter stands and a rare c.1895 Daum Nancy art glass ‘mushroom’ table lamp. The 12in (31cm) high lamp had a shade resting on a three-branch iron support with a beaten collar and lead terminals. The salmon pink was etched with cameo decoration of winter trees covered with snow and with brown bark.
Some re-enamelling was needed and this open-shaded version is not the most sought after but it still got away on the telephone to a specialist company for the bottom estimate £4000.
The market for silver has been in a slump since the 1970s but the decanter stands at Penrith were a real hit. Each 5in (12.5cm) diameter stand was of circular form with a pierced gallery, a finely beaded rim and a wooden base centred by a concentric disc. The privately consigned stands were made by London maker Robert Hennell in 1783 and were a trade buy at £4000.
Other successes included a rare Victorian phaeton – a two-seater open carriage with an upholstered back rest and arms. This 19th century equivalent of the 20th century sports car had been in the same family since 1911 and needed some repair. Nevertheless, it got away at £1000.
Furniture struggled due to trade reticence but it was not all doom and gloom. A William and Mary oak chest of drawers took £1400 and a finely-figured burr walnut snap-top breakfast table £1650.
Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s, Penrith, September 26
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
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Daum lightens a long dark year
Penrith Farmers' and Kidd's have been badly affected by world events this past year. Situated in one of the worst hit areas for the Foot and Mouth epidemic, the county all but shut up shop. And just as things were starting to pick up the devastating events in America have created a marked caution in the trade.
