That makes it a little rarer and its nicely worn patina and steel escutcheon saw it sell for £3600 (estimate £800-1200).
There can't be too many Sunderland lustre rolling pins around but one turned up at the Ladywood salerooms. While the print - the west view of the cast-iron bridge built over the River Wear in 1793 - is quite common, the form is very scarce indeed. It sold at £440.
Another unexpected visitor to the Birmingham sale was a Sinclair C5 car (remember those?) sold in its damaged but original box for £500.
Melon-form caddy is a £3600 fruit
ALTHOUGH catalogued as a late 18th century fruitwood apple form tea caddy, this finely turned and carved 5 1/2in (13cm) high vessel sold by Biddle & Webb (15% buyer’s premium) on April 1 was more accurately a melon.