Sale report – Plymouth Auction Rooms
The contents of several rural properties in South Devon and South East Cornwall provided the principle lots for the July antiques and collectables auction at Plymouth Auction Rooms. A rare 18th century gilt framed mirror attracted tremendous presale attention, partly due to the fact the plate was original and even though perished, had graced a dining room in a Devon property for several years.
Overall dimensions were 40.25 x 22.5in (102 x 57cm) with fine carved scroll work to the frame, though lacking a small piece, but this didn’t deter strong interest, keeping three telephone lines busy throughout the sale. Auctioneer Paul Keen’s gavel finally came down at £2,600 to a Westcountry dealer, outbidding a competitor in the room who had driven over 200 miles in the hope of securing it.
This was followed by a George III mahogany octangular wine cooler from the same property, of simple form with square tapering legs. It was enough to secure a healthy commission bid from a private buyer, eager to obtain it as a surprise birthday present. Despite interest from the Exeter trade, it was sold to the private buyer for £850.
A Regency rosewood games table sold on estimate at £500. Having traditional rectangular top and two fitted frieze drawers enclosing a removable games board, it was an attractive piece but did need restoration, a fact which deterred much private interest. There was also a problem with a pretty Edwardian lady’s writing desk in mahogany, as this was faded, but it still attracted £220 from a furniture specialist in the room.
The furniture section produced several other notable prices, which included a heavy dark carved cupboard inscribed 1605. Sadly it was a Victorian copy, and with an opening bid of £350 in the room, it rose to a respectable £430 selling to a buyer out of town.
The auction featured a large collection of silver with many lots exceeding their estimates. There were five silver services on offer with the best selling at £610 to an Exeter silver dealer after a good bid battle with a private collector. Dating from 1853 and 1855, this baluster shaped service with ivory handles and finials was by Richard Garrard, in London.
The trade took two other services, securing one by Wilson & Sharp Ltd for £400 and a Sheffield set for £370, made just before the war in 1937, which was the same date of a silver salver that made £480. In good clean condition and tipping the scales at (1.28k) it took an absentee bidder to beat the trade this time.
And two Victorian coffee and teapots dating from 1850 realised £340, being very ornate and decorated with foliage. Weighing 52oz (1.61k), the two attracted several private buyers before finally selling to a Westcountry buyer.
Quite modest silver found new breath in the sale, especially anything a little out of the ordinary like a silver and enamelled compact depicting the International Code Signalling Flags. Such a colourful make-up accessory had already caused a stir, so it was disappointing to see this vessel dating from 1913 make only £130 unlike a 1990 commemorative set of gold coins produced by Pobjoy Mint. These had been presented to Admiral White on his retirement as Governor of Gibraltar, and created a great deal of interest all through the viewing days.
In proof condition, the £600 estimate proved far too cautious when battle ensued between all interested parties. Eventually a coin specialist from Cornwall offering £1,000 proved too strong for the room and it returned across the border.
