Strong bidding was firmly in evidence at Clevedon Autumn Quarterly Fine Art sale on September14th. Amongst over 800 lots, some stellar results were seen but it was in the Silver section that day’s top price was achieved.
A handsome pair of sterling silver candelabra from the celebrated Danish silversmiths Georg Jensen had arrived at one of Clevedon’s ever popular Monday valuation events, somewhat inauspiciously in a shoebox, having spent most of the last 50 years hiding their light under a bushel in the owner’s sideboard. Finely cast with the crispness and quality one would expect from this stellar name, their quality shone through. The focus of much pre-sale interest, some very spirited bidding saw them leave their estimate well and truly in the shade, selling for £6,200.
As is traditional at Clevedon it was the Jewellery section which opened proceedings, where top price was the £5,500 paid for a single-stone diamond ring of some 2.1 carats. Also leaping over its estimate, a diamond, ruby and emerald set frog brooch, which sold for £3,800, the same price as an unusual early Victorian mesh necklace with turquoise set cannetille clasp. Amongst watches, it was the golden name ‘Rolex’ that sent pulses racing. A gentleman's Oyster Perpetual Daydate wristwatch, sold for £4,900, whilst a Gentleman's Oyster Perpetual Datejust Chronometer stainless steel wristwatch, also performed well, selling for £3,000.
Amongst a characteristically eclectic selection of collectors’ items, it was a piece of Grand Prix memorabilia that stole the show. Readers of a certain vintage will recall when Damon Hill was the golden boy of British Formula 1. On offer was a silver plated he had won for second place position in the 1997 Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. Purchased at auction in 2003, it was a trophy that fans of British motor sport would find hard to pass by and it easily raced passed its estimate, selling for £2,600.
Some strong results in the Asian section included a fine Tibetan gilt bronze figure of a bodhisattva, probably dating from the 17th or 18th century, it was an early piece and quickly surpassed its estimate to sell for £2,400, just ahead of an unusual 19th Century Anglo-Indian wirework- and mother-of-pearl inlaid hardwood box which exceeded all expectations, selling for £2,300.
A strong pictures section included an interesting collection of late Victorian and Edwardian watercolours consigned from an historic private collection in North Somerset. From this source came a very arresting monochrome study‘The Arrow of the Lord’s Deliverance by Francis Bernard (Frank) Dicksee (1853-1928), which shot passed its estimate to sell for £3,400, and a very atmospheric study by Albert Goodwin 'Westminster, Sunset Through The Smoke', which sold for £2,800. Also performing well, a stylish portrait of a – and a rare triple bird pigeon portrait, 'Topsy', 'Coronation Boy', and 'Blossom', by Andrew Beer the ‘Thomas Gainsborough’ of the pigeon racing world, which flew away, to sell for £2,100.
A good stock of wines and spirits, many drawn from the cellar of a collector and restauranteur brought the sale to a happy conclusion. Leading the way, three bottles of Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, 2010, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, which sold for £4,000, whilst three bottles of Domaine Méo-Camuzet Richebourg Grand Cru, 2005, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, sold for £3,800 and a single bottle of Macallan 25 Years Old Anniversary Malt, unblended single Speyside malt whisky, in presentation wooden case sold for £3,500.