Clevedon Salerooms held its most recent Interiors sale at the Kenn Road Auction Centre on Thursday 20th February and there were one or two surprises in store...
In the present market, it is almost vanishingly rare to talk about successes in the traditional furniture market, so it was refreshing to find the day’s highest price being just such a piece. A 19th century large pine and sycamore open-back high dresser, of three-shelves with twenty-four hooks, the base fitted with three long drawers was the stuff of Upstairs, Downstairs and would look quite at home in the kitchen of a large country house. However, in a world where the dresser has long ceded its position of pre-eminence to the island unit and granite worktop, would it prove to be a saleroom flop? Not a bit of it. Following immense pre-sale interest, a volley of rapid bids saw it leave its estimate well and truly in the shade to sell for an incredible £3,200.
Moorcroft ranks among the most enduring of the ‘art potters’ that enjoyed wide popularity in Britain at the end of the 19th century. It has been highly prized by collectors since the 1800’s and is still exceptionally collectable today. With its vast diversity in age, pattern, shape and form, there’s something to suit every collector, from those just starting out to those looking for the rarest most sublime pieces. So it was that the sale contained the first lots from a large collection of Moorcroft. Consigned from a local private collector, approximately twenty lots were offered, mostly of recent ‘Collectors’ Club’ manufacture. The source of much pre-sale interest, they sold for a combined total of over £2,500. There were other successes amongst ceramics. Scoring highly in the style stakes a mid-19th century Staffordshire porcelain floral part dessert service, comprising ten plates, three twin-handled comports, two tazzas and a centrepiece. Like the dresser, these more traditional ceramics no longer make the big prices they once did so it was a pleasant surprise when this one sold for a respectable £480.
Elsewhere in the sale it would seem that bidders are following the lead of the popular 1980s daytime quiz show and ‘going for gold’. A twisted flat curb link yellow metal necklace, stamped 'SG 22K', 61cm and weighing 26.4g approx. did well, selling for £1,350, whilst an Italian 18ct three-colour gold flexible bracelet, sold for £920. An Edwardian 9ct rose gold graduated curb link bracelet with swivel clasp, heart-shaped padlock and safety chain sold for £850, the same price as a fancy link yellow metal bracelet, stamped '585'. A Victorian gate link yellow metal bracelet sold for £700. Free valuation days are held at the Saleroom every Monday (except Bank Holidays), together with specialist jewellery days every third Tuesday. For more information please visit the website www.clevedonsalerooms.com