This was a 17th century oak wainscot chair entered into the sale from the estate of a local doctor’s widow, which was given an estimate of £600-1000 to take into account some defects and a chunk out of one of the side columns.
However, it was in essentially original condition and a belief that it was very much a local piece – North Cheshire rather than the wider catalogue description of North West England – and one of several telephone bidders went to £3800 to secure it.
Other furniture prices included £1600 on an early 19th century mahogany linen press and £1050 on an Art Deco Kemble Mini upright piano in a walnut and bird’s eye maple case.
Art Deco was also the favoured period among the silver where a four-piece tea service went over hopes at £1180.
Maxwells, Wilmslow, January 18
Buyer’s premium: 12 per cent
Local associations boost bids on 17th century chair
THE policy of these Cheshire auctioneers, Maxwells, to hold a decent sale in January rather than in the crowded period before Christmas generally pays off, and did so this year although, that said, the local associations of the top seller would probably have resulted in a good price at any period.
