Country House Sale Results - 16th September

An eclectic Country House Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 16^th September saw a host of rare and interesting lots come under the hammer. One of the most unusual lots in the sale was a large 14^th Century Gilt and Painted Carved Oak Corbel, which once formed part of the vaulted ceiling of the South Transept of York Minster. The corbel was removed during the renovations following the terrible fire that broke out in 1984 and was sold with certificate of authenticity from the Minster for £3,800 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium).

Further rare lots that piqued buyers’ interest included a 10^th/11^th Century Islamic Pottery Bowl, probably from Nishapur (sold for £2,000), an 18^th Century Carved Oak Heraldic Lion that was once possibly a newel post finial (sold for £1,300), and a Pair of Tulipiere in Dutch Delft 17^th Century Style made by Christian Dior (sold for £3,500). Amongst the traditional antiques on offer, notable results were seen for a Mid-19^th Century Irish Killarney Yew and Arbutus Wood Work Table (sold for £3,200), a Pair of 20^th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Marriage Cupboards (sold for £1,500), and a Late 17^th Century Marquetry Eight Day Longcase Clock (sold for £2,200). Amongst the ceramics in the sale were a Pearlware Model of a Horse made circa 1800-10, probably in Newcastle, which sold for £1,200, a Chinese Porcelain Surprize Cup from the Tongzhi dynasty, which sold for £850, and two Etruscan/Attic Style Terracotta Black Figure Lekythos or Oil Ewers, which sold for £1,200. The ewers were reputedly purchased by the vendor’s great aunt and uncle during a cruise touring archaeological sites, during which time they are rumoured to have met Howard Carter.  

An atmospheric painting of Westminster Abbey by Moonlight by George Hyde Pownall (1866-1932) led the Picture Section, after selling for £6,000. It was sold alongside a work by the same hand depicting St. Paul’s in the evening light. Also selling well was a still life of assorted flowers by Laurence Biddle (1888-1968) (sold for £700), Figures and Cattle by a Woodland Stream by Archibald Russell Watson Allan (sold for £600), and a good selection of works by Brian Irving (1931-2013) which included Windy Day in the Dales with Farmer and Dogs (sold for £320).

The sale also saw Part II of the T.B. & R. Jordan Collection come under the hammer, which offered 50 lots of paintings by Staithes School artists for sale. The collection achieved a 98% sold rate, with many of the lots selling for well above estimate. Highlights of the collection included Cattle Grazing in Summer Pastures by Ernest Higgins Rigg (1868-1947) (sold for £680), Assorted Roses in a Silver Vase by Owen Bowen (1873-1967) (sold for £950), and Whitby Castle and Abbey from the Pool by Rowland Henry Hill (1873-1952) (sold for £420).

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