There was a certain amount of monkeying around in Clevedon Salerooms’ Interiors sale on Thursday 25th October, where the usual eclectic mix of the desirable and unusual was spiced up by the appearance of a full-size gorilla.
Lest you think that Clevedon Salerooms has gone into the business of auctioning livestock, we would hasten to add that the gorilla in question was made of fibreglass and had originally been made as part of WOW! Gorillas, organised as part of the Bristol Art trail held in the summer of 2011. The event was organised by Bristol Zoo to celebrate the Zoo's 175th Birthday and to raise awareness for conservation. The trail saw 61 gorilla statues placed around Bristol, each decorated by a different artist. The Gorilla statues were based on Alfred, the famous Bristol Zoo gorilla. Our Gorilla was named Goram (No.33) and had been installed at Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station, presumably the cause of much comment amongst people on their daily commute. Measuring approximately 165cm high, our fine figure of an ape certainly made an impression and after some feverish bidding, the gavel finally fell at £1,000. Our gorilla won’t be travelling too far since the successful bidder was none other than Alan Goddard of the Clevedon Emporium, where Goram will be welcoming visitors. Monkey business aside, there was a distinct golden hue amongst the day’s top prices as gold continued its inexorable rise. Top of the tree was a fancy X-link bi-colour 9ct gold collar necklace weighing 54g approximately, which sold for £1,450. Next it was, that perennial favourite a 9ct gold curb link bracelet with a selection of fobs and charms, which sold for £1,200 and an Indian yellow metal bracelet having six cabochon gemstone which sold for £1,000. Also imparting a golden aura, an Isle of Man gold proof £2 coin, 2019, commemorating Churchill and the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, from a limited edition of 250, which did a little bit more than its face value, selling for £1,100. Sovereigns also continue to perform extremely well, where the top price was for a Queen Victoria shield back gold sovereign, 1866 which sold for £600.
Elsewhere there was ample evidence of bidders preparing to dig deep into their pockets for the rare and desirable. A pair of Royal Crown Derby 'Old Imari pattern' twin-handled ovoid pedestal vases, each with spire finial and fixed cover measuring 30cm high but with manufacturing flaws to one vase sold for £520. Also scoring highly for decorative appeal, a pair of William Yeoward (attr.) green glass table lamps, of double gourd form decorated with trailed clear glass, standing an impressive 51cm high, which towered over their estimate to sell for £440, proof positive that bidders never tire of the eclectic mix of Clevedon’s Interiors sales.