Tea-riffic Day at Clevedon Saleroom

The showstopper of the day came in the form of a Chinese famille rose tea pot. Finely painted with figures the presence of restoration was reflected in a modest estimate. This, however, did little to deter bidders and an intense battle between a commission bidder and those online ensued, with the auctioneer’s gavel finally knocked down at £950. [LOT 340]

The Jewellery section had begun proceedings, where top of the tree was a Belcher link charm bracelet stamped '750' which sold for £1,100. Also performing well a 9ct gold heavy curb-link bracelet which sold for £820. Elsewhere, a French gold bracelet came in just above top estimate at £610, whilst a 9ct gold hollow curb-link bracelet exceeded expectations at £460. A Clogau Welsh 9ct rose and yellow gold ‘Tree of Life’ design ring more than doubled its top estimate at £300.

Petrol – or lack of it - has been much in the news of late so topical jokes abounded when a large collection of vintage petrol cans was consigned by a local collector. Divided into 14 lots once again the presence of significant restoration did little to deter some (ahem) ‘spirited’ bidding and they sold for a combined price of over £2,000. [LOT 672] Also hitting the right beat in the Collectors section was a large quantity of mainly reggae LP records, divided into two lots which took everyone by surprise when they sold for an estimate busting £700.

It was a good day for Chinese ceramics, in addition to the teapot mentioned above, an early 20^th century Chinese Crackleware jardiniere stormed its estimate to make £320, whilst a pair of porcelain famille rose vases of a similar date, painted with fan decoration also did well at £180. From closer to home, an extensive Mason's Patent Ironstone China dinner service in the Mandalay pattern sold for £260 whilst a very decorative limited edition Wedgwood pastille burner in 18^th century style overcame some condition issues to sell for a fragrant £170.

Decorative appeal also accounted for the popularity of a pair of glass topped occasional tables with gilt metal wheatsheaf bases. As the most watched item online ahead of the sale expectations were high and, when their moment arrived they did not disappoint, quadrupling their estimate to sell for £400. [LOT 699] Elsewhere in the furniture section there were further signs of a rallying in demand for good quality brown furniture. A well-carved Victorian oak specimen chest sold for £210, and an Edwardian mahogany display cabinet confounded expectations to sell for £160, which was also the price paid for a reproduction Chippendale-style occasional table.

Finally, no home should be complete without a large cast brass figure of a 17th Century gentleman holding a cutlass. Measuring in at an impressive 104cm this swashbuckler certainly cut a dash in the saleroom going on to sell for £400. [LOT 525] Continuing the figural theme, a large torchere modelled as an Egyptian lady was even more of an imposing presence at 187cm, selling for £220.

The next two weeks sees intense activity, with a valuation day on Wednesday 27^th October at Stoke Lodge Bristol ,a general sale on 4^th November and, of course, our next Quarterly Specialist Sale on Thursday 25^th November.