Martyred bishops fire collectors’ enthusiasm

With a total of around £75,000 from the 890 lots that got away, most pieces sold for two or three figures.

To take the briefest of examples from the ceramics, a 19th century Staffordshire group, 91/2in (24cm) high, of Bishops Ridley and Latimer being burnt at the stake made £360 and a late 19th century painted Satsuma koro with Dog of Fo finial went at £85.

Collectables included a pretty early Victorian rosewood vanity box, 12in by 9in (30 x 23cm) fitted with silverplated bottles and boxes that went at £130, and silver saw a pretty 10z card salver by John Crouch and Thomas Hannam, London 1798 go at £260.

Although prices are not high, pieces do tend to be contested up to their levels as a couple of good early 20th century offerings in the furniture section showed.

First up was a 7ft 2in (2.18m) rosewood and marquetry longcase clock with arched brass dial chased throughout with floral scrolls and applied with silvered chime/silent Whittington/Westminster chime dials. It sold at £3600.

A few lots later came an Edwardian lady’s desk in rosewood inlaid throughout with satinwood and boxwood panels of neoclassical marquetry. Featuring a galleried top with two drawers above a central compartment and two flanking compartments, all with fitted interiors, this pretty 3ft 4in (1.01m) wide piece made £2400.

G.A. Key, Aylsham, December 12,13
Buyer’s premium: 11.75 per cent inc. VAT