There is no doubt that a weak dollar has contributed to a weaker UK majolica market – and yet low estimates for good pieces continue to stimulate bidding.
The highlight of the December 3 sale conducted by
Winterton's at the Agricultural Business Centre,
Bakewell, was a George Jones strawberry dish modelled with a twig
handle and two bluetits.
This well-known model has made substantial sums in the past so a
£600-800 estimate was modest, even given the restuck handle and
some damage to the cream and sugar. It sold over the phone to a
collector at £2000. A Minton pineapple form jug had a reglued spout
but sold at £410.
Beswick farm animals, a perennial favourite collecting area in the
farming community, sold well in the Peak District. An Ayrshire bull
and a Hereford family group each made £340 closely followed by an
Ayrshire cow and calf pairing that sold for £320. An Aberdeen Angus
calf, model 1827A reached £310, as compared to the £250 bid for the
same animal with an alternative model number 1406A.
These were substantial prices for scarce models but, in a
different rarity and price league is the Sussex Cockerel - one of a
number of poultry models produced by the factory between 1963-70.
There was one at the Felixstowe rooms of Diamond Mills in December
which sold at £1050 but the example at Winterton's December 11 sale
in Lichfield did a little better and sold at £1300. There were two
other Beswick birds - a set of three pink-legged partridge wall
plaques (one with a chipped beak) sold at £140 while a jay (model
1219B) sold at £135.
A Beswick matt Fresian cow named Claybury Leegwater
was sold at £175 as part of Winterton's first sale at 8 Short
Street, Uttoxeter on December 9.
However, this event was helped most by the presence of some local
horology: an oak and mahogany 30-hour longcase by George Slater of
Uttoxeter (£800), an Allports of Uttoxeter oak framed aneroid
barometer (£120) and a George II oak and mahogany eight-day
longcase by Massey of Burslem (£1000). The top price of the sale
was £1550 given for a Victorian oak gothic floor standing
bookcase.
Winterton's, Bakewell, Uttoxeter, Lichfield, December 3, 9,
11
Buyer's Premium: 15 per cent
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