Michael Bowman, Chudleigh
Michael Bowman's penultimate auction of antiques, art & jewellery at Chudleigh Town Hall proved to be the best sale for the auctioneer in over a year. Such events rely on the inclusion and successful performance of the higher value items and on this occasion two lots broke through the £10,000 barrier.
The sale was led by a 3.3 carat emerald cut diamond solitaire of particularly good colour set with two small baguette diamonds to each shoulder in platinum mount. It caught the eye of a Plymouth couple at £13,500 while from a Plymouth vendor a 4.3 carat diamond solitaire of brilliant cut also set in platinum remained nearer to home when a Western Morning News reader from Newton Abbot secured it for £12,000.
A more unusual jewellery entry was the 17th century French enamelled ring of uncertain age, bearing a date in enamel of 1607. However auctioneer Michael Bowman was not happy to claim this age for the gem, but a Swiss email enquirer was willing to take a chance, however, and parted with £3,100 for his prize.
Arriving in the original transparent sealed plastic wrapper as sold by the recently-deceased Fred Yates, a tiny oil just 4.5 x 5in (11.5 x 13cm) was still unframed and presented exactly as it was to the buyer when first bought. The vendor was keen not to have this disturbed, but luckily it was just possible to photograph for marketing purposes through the wrapping to reveal the cheerful subject of several figures outside a boathouse.
Such boating scenes generate considerable interest locally, but not enough as it went for £950 to a Middlesex collector, despite the valiant efforts of a Torquay telephone bidder on the day.
There were few surprises in the ceramics section. A collection of miniature Georgian plates and cups from Cornish vendors caused a minor stir by reaching £420 and a pair of 18th century Derby porcelain figures secured an expected £400.
Also in the lower price ranges, an Indian shield with a pair of halberds, arriving for sale via the monthly Plymouth valuation day, reached a four times estimate £410 and a black stained horn musical snuff box, only a few inches across, from a London estate went to a Belgian telephone bidder for £450. And from the same estate a brass carriage clock with repeating mechanism and circular white enamelled dial attracted several telephone bidders on account of the fact that it was made by the illustrious French firm of Drocourt.
Despite this internet excitement, Western Morning News subscribers reading about the clock over breakfast on sale day were keen enough to make the journey to Chudleigh and obtain it at £1,300, thwarting all telephone bidders with a triple estimate offer.
The surprise of the sale, however, lay in wait for a local vendor in the guise of a Japanese bronze warrior. Standing 15in (38cm) high overall on its carved wood base, the figure dated to the Meiji period - circa 1900 and was signed to one leg. Strong telephone interest was attracted by a tempting £500-£750 estimate, which was passed early on but the battle continued until the £4,600 offered by a determined London buyer defeated all opposition.
