Getting the Measure

The sale was notable for achieving one of the most surprising results seen at Clevedon Salerooms in recent years. A 17th century brass folding ‘Gunter sector’ measure rule, signed 'John Allen fecit' had arrived on one of Clevedon’s ever-popular Valuation days. The owner had been gifted it some years previously and, whilst not being exactly au-fait with  early scientific instruments, had been told that it ‘could be of some value’.  They were not to be disappointed as the rule turned out to have a link to one of the most celebrated makers of the 17^th century. Having generated considerable pre-sale interest, a volley of bids saw it very quickly leave its estimate in the shade and after a fiercely contested battle between an online and a telephone bidder, the gavel finally fell in favour of the former for a remarkable £10,000, proving perhaps that pre-sale estimates, like rules, are there to be broken.

It was a good day for watches where top price was for a Rolex gentleman's Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner stainless steel bracelet watch, which sold for £5,200. An Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch' chronograph bracelet watch sold for £2,800, just ahead of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust stainless steel bracelet watch, which sold for £2,700. Amongst Jewellery it was a 1920s diamond 18ct white gold square cluster ring, formed of nine old cut diamonds which took the top price of £3,200.Those looking to dine in style were well served with a canteen of Victorian Kings pattern silver cutlery for twelve settings, which crowned the Silver section, selling for £2,800.

The Asian art section yielded some particularly strong results. Chief amongst these was a Korean Joseon style mother-of-pearl inlaid box decorated with flowers and foliate scrollwork within Greek key borders. Arriving at one of Clevedon’s ever-popular Valuation Days it was the focus of sustained and spirited bidding which saw it quickly eclipse its estimate to sell for £4,300. Also performing well, a Japanese Meiji period bronze charger, which sold for £3,200 and an impressive 19th century Japanese Edo period suit of Samurai Armour (no home should be without one) which, following a round of feverish bidding sold for £3,000.

A strong pictures section was led in traditional fashion with an oil on canvas by Charles Hunt (1829-1900) 'The Travelling Musician', showing a cottage interior with an old man playing the violin or fiddle before an audience including two piglets, a donkey and a boy eating a turnip. Signed and dated (18) 98 it proved a popular work, selling for £2,600. Also performing well, 'Sailing Boats', a signed print by the perennially popular L.S. Lowry R.A. (1887-1976) sold for £2,500 and a mid-19th century primitive school oil on canvas of a Longhorn bull which sold for £2,200. A more contemporary note was struck by a group of works by Clevedon’s own celebrated artist Doris Hatt (1890-1969). An oil on board, ‘Still life with jug and bottle’ scooped the top price, selling for £2,400 whilst a group of ten watercolours by the same artist sold for a combined total of £3,300.

Staying with the contemporary theme, the sale saw the first twenty-five paintings from the studio of celebrated Bristol artist Barrington Tabb RWA (1934-2022). Clevedon Salerooms will be selling approximately two-hundred paintings, the residual contents of his studio, with the remaining works to be offered in forthcoming auctions. Having generated considerable press and public interest in the lead up to the sale hopes were certainly high and they were not to be disappointed with all twenty-five paintings finding new homes with a hammer total just shy of £10,000.

With Summer now upon us, Clevedon Salerooms are looking forward to a busy season, with Interiors sales on June 26th and July 17th alongside weekly Monday valuations at the Saleroom and Bristol valuations at Stoke Lodge on August 5^th.

Clevedon Salerooms next specialist Fine Art sale, for which entries are now invited will be on September 11th. For more information, please see the website.