Winter Wonders

A small oil on canvas by Charles Goldie (fl. 1855-1879) depicting Joan of Arc in profile had been discovered on a routine house visit by Clevedon Saleroom’s Director Mark Huddleston. Dated 1863 and measuring a diminutive 20cm x 14.5cm, what it lacked in size it made up for in detail: the Maid of Orleans depicted at the Siege of Trotes, holding a battle standard with French fleur-de-lis motifs, butterflies hovering, a tented encampment and figures distant. After a fierce bidding battle it reduced its estimate to ashes, selling for a remarkable £3,800.

Amongst the eclectic offering, it was amongst watches that the day’s top price was found and, as is so often the case, it was the magic name Rolex that aced it. A 1986 18ct gold Oyster perpetual day date was the focus of spirited bidding which saw the hammer fall at £7,000. In time honoured fashion it was the Jewellery section which opened proceedings where the star was an old cushion cut diamond solitaire ring. With a calculated weight of 2.30 carats it was certain to get bidders pulses racing and a volley of bids saw it sell for £6,000. Other big hitters included a Victorian diamond cross pendant brooch of unmarked yellow and white metal set with eleven old cut diamonds, which sold for £3,000. A Victorian diamond five stone 18ct yellow gold ring sold for £2,400, the same price as an emerald and diamond 18ct white gold 'tennis' style necklace, set with forty-seven square mixed cut emeralds. Elsewhere, there was ample evidence of gold’s seemingly irresistible rise; a yellow metal necklace with fancy openwork links modelled as stylised tulips was unmarked but tested as 18ct. Weighing an impressive 77g approx. it sold for an equally impressive £4,600. A George IV 18ct gold cased open face pocket watch by D&W Morice, Fenchurch Street, sold for £4,300, whilst an Edwardian 18ct gold cased open face centre seconds chronograph pocket watch, T.R. Hanby of Bradford, sold for £3,000. Staying with precious metals, one of the highlights of the Silver section was a composite 20th century Fiddle & Thread pattern flatware service, which weighed in at 6,370g and sold for a weighty £6,000.

Pictures also performed well. In addition to the Saint Joan previously mentioned, other healthy results included View of Rome from the River Tiber, an oil on canvas by Arthur John Strutt - (British, 1819–1888), which sold for £2,600 and 'The Sweet Smell of Fresh Wood' by contemporary British artist Arthur Karl Maderson (b.1942) which sold for £2,200.

In the present market, it is sadly rare to talk of impressive prices amongst so-called ‘brown furniture’ but the sale saw several good results in this much maligned area. Chief amongst these was George II 'red walnut' side table, probably Irish and dating to around 1750. Consigned from Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity collection, and sold in line with their heritage assets policy, it was being offered by Clevedon Salerooms at no selling cost, a benefit we extend to registered charities. With a Vitruvian scroll frieze between bead and reel banding and raised on cabriole supports, it was the sort of piece that would look quite at home in a Palladian country house of the period. Bidders clearly saw its potential and a tense tug-of-war online saw the gavel finally fall at £3,200.Another big hitter amongst furniture was a George IV walnut open arm library chair, circa 1830, in the early George II manner. Attributed to John Barrow for Gillows of Lancaster, this is one of the most covetable designs produced by the famous cabinetmakers. Fittingly it was one of the most watched items ahead of the auction and when its turn arrived it left its estimate standing, selling for £1,900.

This has been another tremendous year for Clevedon Salerooms with some exceptional sale results. Highlights have included a Lucie Rie bowl, which sold for £26,000, the sale of the Studio of esteemed Bristol artist Barrington Tabb, and a record price of £10,000 for an early Mouseman armchair. As we enter 2026, we are looking forward to even more exciting discoveries.