Clocks were in high demand in the Spring Fine Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 15th March when buyers sought out clocks by good makers, with those examples with unusual cases selling well above pre-sale estimates. The top lot of the was a Rare French Ormolu and Patinated Blackamoor Striking Mantel Clock, signed Maison Jolly à Paris, circa 1800 that sold for £14,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Another clock with an unusual case was a French Marble and Ormolu Obelisk-Form Striking Mantel Clock signed Deschamps, Paris; made circa 1800, it sold for £6,500 - more than ten times the bottom estimate.
Selling well, too, were an unusually small Hook and Spike Alarm Lantern Clock signed Tho. Wheeler of London and dating to the late 17th century (sold for £3,500), a French Ormolu Striking Mantel Clock by Filon À Paris, circa 1800 in the form of a lady ploughing (sold for £5,500), and a good York Minster Form Skeleton Striking Mantel Clock by Evans of Handsworth and retailed by Vassalli of Scarborough (sold for £2,800). A Rare and Early ‘Herbert Scott’s Design’ Electric Mantel Timepiece made circa 1910 sold well, too, at £1,400.
Amongst the Ceramics and Works of Art in the sale, a Set of Twelve Ornithological Engravings of Birds after George Edwards dating from circa 1740-1760, with provenance form the Court House, Bolton by Bowland, sold for £5,800. A Cold Painted Bronze Figural Lamp by Franz Xavier Bergmann modelled as a lady in a horse drawn sleigh sold for £2,800, a Pair of Pearlware Cats dating from the first half of the 19th century sold for £1,800, and an English Delft Charger, probably made in Bristol circa 1760 sold for £750.
Leading the Furniture in the sale was a George III Chippendale-Style Carved Mahogany Stand; dating from the late 18th century, it was sold as part of The Property of Sir Brooke Boothby, ex Fonmon Castle and achieved a hammer price of £4,500. Selling well, too, were a Joined Oak Dresser from the 17th century (sold for £3,200), a Large George III Irish Mahogany Wake Table (sold for £3,200), and an imposing 19th century Mahogany, Satinwood-Crossbanded and Boxwood-Strung Circular Dining Table (sold for £3,200). A Mahogany Framed Tub Armchair in the manner of Gillows sold for £2,500, a Regency-Style Carved Giltwood and Composition Overmantel Mirror sold for £3,500, and an Ushak Carpet from Central West Anatolia sold for £3,500.
The inaugural Asian Art Sale got off to a strong start, with high levels of interest and good prices throughout. Topping the sale was a Chinese Porcelain Tea Bowl and Saucer, Yongzheng, which was sold with provenance from the Dr Eileen Cobb Collection and realised a hammer price of £7,500. Selling well, too, were a Chinese Porcelain “Immortals” Bowl, Yutang Jiaqui mark, probably Shunzhi dating from the 17th century (sold for £4,500), a Chinese Porcelain Dish, Kangxi (sold for £4,500), and a Pair of Japanese Hardwood and Gilt Lacquer Panels, Meiji Period (sold for £4,000). A further interesting lot was a Chinese Porcelain “Red Cliff Visit” Wine Ewer and Cover, Kangxi/Yongzheng, which referenced a visit to the site of one of the most famous battles in Chinese history by a poet (sold for £2,800).
The Spring Fine Sale realised a total hammer price of £244,400 for the 301 lots, and a 90% sold rate, and the Asian Art Sale realised a total hammer price of £120,940 For the 180 lots and a 91% sold rate.
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