The chairs, which dated from c.1930, had solid vase splats, leaf-carved cabriole supports and claw and ball feet. The set had been in storage for 20 years, always with the intention of being used again at some point in the future.
However, when the vendor decided to move to Spain the chairs were deemed unsuitable for his new home. They attracted lots of interest in Cheshire, however, and went to a Manchester dealer for £3250.
The same vendor also decided to get rid of a Riley oak billiard/dining table with a slate bed offered together with cues, snooker and billiard balls and a scoreboard. The London trade took the table for £1600.
The auctioneers were hoping a 19th century mahogany four door bookcase with gothic astragal glazed doors and plain panelled cupboards would have made a bit more than it did. The trade seemed to be put off by the large size of the piece (it stood at 8ft 6in (2.59m) and its badly warped doors. It took £2600.
Other notables included an early Victorian rosewood duet music stand which brought £1600 and an early 20th century George III-style serpentine fronted sideboard took £1250.
Outside of the furniture, a London dealer took home a 19th century bronze model of Rembrandt. The model, which came from a deceased estate in Shropshire, was an early example of the work of A.Carrier – by whom it was signed.
When Carrier became more established he added Beleuze to his name to make himself sound more important but this bronze only bore the name Carrier. It had been given a probate valuation of £800 but was taken up in saleroom for £2100.
Patrick Cheyne, Altrincham,
January 26
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Spain’s loss is Cheshire’s gain
Furniture was strong at this Cheshire sale at Patrick Cheyne on 26 January where the top seller was a set of eight (six and two carvers) and two near-matching George III style bleached walnut dining chairs.
