The year got off to a flying start at Tennants Auctioneers, when the first major sales of the year took place on 14th and 15th January, with a remarkable 94% of the lots selling. Bidders came out in force for the public viewing, supported by a raft of bidders across the world taking part in the sale online and over the phone.
The weekend was opened with Townhouse: The Property from the London Residence of a Lady of Title on 14th January. Intriguing provenance and a broad range of collectible and furnishing pieces pushed prices well above expected, and indeed the sale saw a total hammer price 64% above top estimate with 99% of the lots selling. Strong prices were seen throughout, but the top lots included the 1893-4 three volume ‘The Birth, Life and Acts of King Arthur…’ by Sir Thomas Malory illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley, which sold for £11,000 (plus buyer’s premium), a Five-Piece Ottoman Silver-Mounted Japanese Porcelain Writing Set and Tray, mid-19th century, which sold for £3,500, and a Cartier Gilt and Enamel Fountain Pen and Pencil, which sold for £800. A good selection of Asian ceramics was led by a Chinese Porcelain Bottle Vase from the 19th Century that sold for £9,500, and an Early 19th Century Regency Simulated Marble, Rosewood and Parcel-Gilt Painted Cabinet sold for £3,500.
High prices continued in the Country House Sale on 15th January, the top lot of which was a Pair of Howard & Sons Ltd Bridgewater Deep-Seated Armchairs, made in the early 20th century that sold for £7,700. Top prices were also seen for a Victorian Figured and Burr Walnut Half Tester Bed, circa 1860 (sold for £5,000), and an Early 20th Century Walnut and Chinoiserie Decorated Double-Caned Three-Piece Bergere Suite (sold for £2,500). The Pictures section of the sale achieved a 96% sold rate, with confident bidding across the board; highlights included Henry Scott Tuke’s ‘Portrait of Laura Julia Johanna Lawrence, wife of Nathaniel Lawrence’ (sold for £3,000), ‘Racing for the Market’ attributed to Joseph Richard Bagshawe (sold for £1,300), and ‘Bringing in the flock’ by Ernest Walbourne (sold for £1,300). Further lots of note include a Chinese Wucai Porcelain Vase, of archaic Gu form and made in the 17th century (sold for £4,500), a Barber of Winster 18th Century Oak Thirty Hour Longcase Clock (sold for £1,900), an unusual Oak and Silver Mounted Church Organ Form Striking Manel Clock circa 1887 (sold for £1,600), and a group of 19th Century Coalbrookdale Cast Iron Lantern Cloche and Covers (sold for £1,900).
Finally, in the Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale on 15th January, vintage and collectable watches were certainly in demand, with every lot selling. Of note were a silver 1928 tonneau shaped Rolex wristwatch (sold for £900), a 1960 18 Carat Gold Omega Seamaster (sold for £600), and a 1967 Smiths Military Issue Wristwatch (sold for £1,200). The top lot of the Silver Section of the sale was an Edward VII Gold-Mounted Glass and Tortoiseshell Dressing Table Service, the glass pieces by Charles and George Asprey and the tortoiseshell pieces possibly by Henry Atkin. The set was made in London in 1904 and sold for £6,000. Also of note were a German Silver Model of a Twelve Point Royal Stag, probably made by Neresheimer that sold for £6,500, and an Elizabeth II Silver-Gilt Dallah-Style Coffee-Pot by Grant MacDonald Silversmiths of London, 2002, engraved with the coat-of-arms of Qatar (sold for £800). Jewellery saw high prices for both period jewellery and contemporary pieces. Amongst the period pieces on offer strong interest was seen for amethysts, garnets and peridots, and the highlights included a Victorian Amethyst Riviere Necklace (sold for £1,700), and a Two Row Cultured Pearl Necklace with Sapphire and Diamond Clasp (sold for £6,000). Whilst top lots of the contemporary pieces included a pair of Diamond Solitaire Earrings (sold for £7,000) and a pair of Diamond Hoop Earrings (sold for £2,200).
The three sales achieved a total hammer price of £684,400 with a 94% sold rate.
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