Tennants Auctioneers Spring ‘House Treasures’ Sale on 29-30 March was their biggest ever with 1,874 lots making a record £2.3 million.  They also broke a world record for the sale of a painting by Sean Keating P.R.H.A. which sold for £400,000, three times the former highest auction price achieved by this artist.

The Luck of the Irish

The Auction Centre in Leyburn was buzzing with anticipation and excitement throughout the two-day sale which attracted bidders from far and wide, including a group of buyers from Ireland, some of whom arrived by helicopter.  They, along with many other bidders both in the room and on the ten dedicated telephone lines, were interested in the star of the show – a painting by Sean Keating P.R.H.A. entitled “Ulysses off Connemara” which made a record price of £400,000.  It sold to a determined Irish gentleman who stood in the central aisle throughout the gripping bidding process.  He will be taking the picture back to its homeland.

Another Irish piece which attracted a lot of interest was lot 577, a George II Silver Irish Cream Jug by John Hamilton, Dublin from circa 1740 which sold for £7,500 (estimate £3,000-£5,000).

Liverpool Connections

In the paintings section, lot 1132 an oil on canvas by Robert Dudley entitled “The Prince’s Dock, Liverpool” sold for £20,000 (estimate £3,000-£4,000).  The painting was from the Cayton Hall Estate, South Stainley near Harrogate.

Also with strong Liverpool connections was an important Liverpool Delft Trade Ship Bowl painted with a full rigged ship and the inscription “George and Marg’ret Robinson 1765” which sold for £8,500 (estimate £5,000-£8,000).

The Thornton Collection of Parian (Part I) sells for £80,000

The first part of this remarkable and extensive collection of Parian figures, busts, vases and table ornaments collected over the last 30 years by Tina and Graham Thornton sold for in excess of £80,000. They came from all the main factories including Copeland, Minton, Worcester, Wedgwood, Robinson & Leadbeater, Belleek, Derby, Goss, Samuel Alcock & Co, S Rose & Co (Coalport) and J & T Bevington and many were copies of marble statues from antiquity, depicting biblical or literary subjects, or celebrating famous people from political and military history.  Lot 61, the Water Nymph figure, after John Thomas by Minton, 1873 sold for £1,300 (estimate £400-£600), lot 76, an impressive centerpiece bowl by Minton, 1862 sold for £1,700 (estimate £1,000-£1,500) and lot 75, a white and green tinted glazed “The Reader Flower Holder”, after Albert Carrier-Belleuse by Minton, circa 1875 sold for £2,200 (estimate £800-£1,200).

Ravenswick Hall Estate

The collection of fine antiques from the Ravenswick Hall Estate, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire sold for over £150,000 and included lot 1625, a Regency Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase which sold for £6,200 (estimate £4,000-£6,000), lot 1629, a Triple Pedestal Dining Table sold for £4,600 (estimate £5,000-£8,000), lot 1748, a Set of Six George III Mahogany Ladder Back Dining Chairs sold for £2,600 (estimate £1,500-£2,500), a Collection of English and Dutch Blue and White Delft Pottery including a Delft Wet Drug jar circa 1760-70 which sold for £900 (estimate £400-£600) and a dozen highly ornate mirrors including a Walnut Veneered and Parcel Gilt Wall Mirror in George II style which individually sold for £2,600 (estimate £600-£800).

Also from Ravenswick Hall came lot 1377, an impressive cut glass Chandelier (19th Century and later) with an unusual history.  It was formed from the constituent parts of three original chandeliers which had originally hung in the Guildhall, Hull until a Luftwaffe raid on the night of 7-8 May 1941. The remains of the three chandeliers were acquired by a relative of the family, Sir Philip Reckitt, and this chandelier was meticulously pieced back together by the current vendor in the mid 1950’s. It sold for £11,000 (estimate £2,000-£3,000).

Treasures of the Orient

Oriental antiques continue to make high prices at auction.  Lot 435, a rare Chinese Exportware Ewer and Cover in the form of a Mandarin Duck from the Qianlong period (mid 18th Century) sold for £8,000 (estimate £500-£800), lot 397, a pair of large 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Millefiore Vases sold for £15,000 (estimate £1,000-£1,500) and lot 451, a pair of Chinese Reticulated Ewers and Covers, circa 1700 (Kangxi period) sold for £9,500 (estimate (£700-£1,000).

Hunting and Taxidermy

Tennants traditional Hunting and Taxidermy Section yet again proved to be highly popular with collectors and interior designers. Notably, there was particular enthusiasm for African taxidermy including lot 1464, a Leopard Skin Rug which sold for £2,000 (estimate £1,000-£1,500) and lot 1448, a 19th Century (or earlier) Loggerhead Turtle Shell on a stand which sold for £1,500 (estimate £400-£600).  Also in the Hunting and Taxidermy Section were two Fallow and Red Deer Antler Armchairs, circa 1880, (lot 1443) which sold for £2,200 (estimate £1,200-£1,800) and a complete American Black Bear (lot 1470) which sold for £3,000 (estimate £1,200-£1,500).

From the county of Yorkshire

A Jug with Masonic interest (lot 304) sold for £2,200 (estimate £800-£1,200).  The Polychrome Painted White Salt Galzed Jug was dated circa 1770.  Also from Yorkshire was a Don Pottery Pearlware Dessert Service circa 1815 (lot 286) which sold for £7,000 (estimate £800-£1,200).

Specialist in charge of the sale, Adam Schoon said “The firm is delighted with the results as we achieved top prices for our vendors and also delighted our local, national and international buyers with the opportunity to purchase such a fine range of art and antiques.” 

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Lot 1235

Sold for £400,000

Lot 324

Sold for £8500

Lot 61

Sold for £1300

Lot 1443

Sold for £2200