The day got off to a fine start when a late Victorian necklace of graduated lozenge-shaped drops from a closed link chain took £2900 against top hopes of £300. And although there was nothing outstanding among the ensuing silver, the rugs section provided its usual surprise in the form of a 20ft by 16ft (6 x 4.90m) Turkey green-ground carpet.
Decorated with multi-coloured medallions, it took £7500 against a £1200-1800 estimate.
The top selling furniture went more according to expectations. A George III mahogany serpentine chest of four long graduated drawers with crossbanded top and ribbon swag oval handles took £6200 against a top estimate of £5000.
A George III Hepplewhite-style satinwood bowfront chest with oval paterae and marquetry foliate swag decoration was a disappointment at a below-estimate £2000 but among the compensations was a Directoire kingwood and parquetry commode.
With a variegated marble top above three long drawers flanked by cupboards, the 4ft 5in (1.35m) wide piece was estimated at up to £1500 but sold at £3900.
Among the manuscripts which closed the day, a 1626 New and Accurate Map of the World with twin spheres, earth, fire wind and air by John Speed took £5600.
Oxford enjoys an old-fashioned success
THERE were few signs of recession at an old-fashioned, all-inclusive sale at Mallams Oxford on June 27 (15% buyer's premium) where more than 80 per cent of the 540 lots got away.
