Sale report – Michael Bowman, Chudleigh
Michael Bowman's July auction at Chudleigh Town Hall saw a return to healthy levels of interest and bidding throughout. Jewellery formed the backbone of the sale and did not disappoint, with private buyers from Devon and Cornwall at hand to compete for many of the principal lots.
Of chief interest in a very routine picture section was the pair of early 19th century portrait miniatures in watercolour on ivory depicting Dr Allen, Medical Attendant to the Duke of Kent (Queen Victoria's father) and his daughter. These were unsigned, but of decent quality attracting the attentions of a Lancashire telephone bid of £430 from a collector with a keen interest in their historical significance. However it was the Devon trade’s offer of £160 that saw off all other interest for a 1914 watercolour of Teignmouth by George Lilly Anderson.
A 1950s Wedgwood coffee set decorated in the 'Travel' pattern with prints designed by the renowned painter and graphic artist Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) stood high above the normal level that most table wares find themselves in today's discerning marketplace. This coffee set for six was decorated with vignettes in grey and colours on a pale green ground and included stylised depictions of hot air balloons, steam trains and buses.
Ravilious engraved these designs in 1938, but the war years intervened and the small range of table wares which were finally made, did not reach the shelves until the 1950s. Nevertheless a Welsh telephone bidder was prepared to pay a double estimate £600 for the 15 pieces and an attractive 18th century Delft polychrome dish, approximately 10in (25.5cm), fetched £150 that was bought by a local buyer.
In the metalware section, two bronze plaques stirred interest in the lower price ranges. One a small shield, the other a 7in (17.5cm) rectangle with Latin inscription cast to both sides relating to George Somerset and dating to the 16th century. Offered in a single lot, a local bidder’s £340 successfully resisted the attentions of a telephone bidder, and tripling the auctioneer’s estimate. A couple of private buyers were eager to buy a 19th century bone china chess set from the orient, that eventually sold for £200.
A Birmingham 1923 pierced silver fruit bowl was bought by a local man for £110 and slightly further up the scale, an Austrian Art Nouveau green glass claret jug with electro plated mounts by WMF (Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik) was secured by a keen local collector who saw off telephone bidders, taking it home for a double estimate £770. The buyer showed particular interest because of the tiny running stork mark within the lozenge, confirming this piece was earlier than 1914. Later WMF pieces do not bear this distinctive mark - though they may still have significant value to other collectors.
In the buoyant jewellery section a lady's Rolex 18ct gold wrist watch with diamond set bezel on gold strap climbed above estimate, thanks to two telephone bidders, reaching a final price of £3,300. A 3ct diamond solitaire in the Art Deco style caught the eye of a Plymouth couple, prepared to secure it for £8,200. With both private and trade buyers at this Saturday sale, competition continued to be fierce.
Even a quite ordinary three stone diamond and sapphire ring was contested to a strong £2,500.
The sale finished with a telephone bidding battle over a Victorian turquoise set gold bracelet in its original fitted leather case made by the illustrious jewellers to the Queen - 'Hunt & Roskell'. A tempting £400-£600 estimate was soon left behind by determined interest from a Plymouth collector who triumphed over her Torquay opponent at an impressive £2,100 and a bidder in the room did acquire a charming Victorian cameo brooch at £150.
