Antiques dealers’ collection goes under the hammer in Exeter

Roderick joined his father Noel in the family antiques business at Marwood in 1957 and met Valentine, when she came to work for the Butlers as a restorer in 1969.

The bulk of items bought and sold by the firm – and those the Butlers chose to keep – were acquired in the West Country, testimony to the huge range of goods that was readily available in the pre-internet days. Several pieces in the sale were bought from Bearnes in the 50s and 60s when the firm was based in Torquay.

The Butlers are not moving home (and the business will continue from the showrooms adjacent to the house) but they are selling some 481 lots. Live bidding will be available via thesaleroom.com. 

Wine bottle

This free-blown olive colour wine bottle c.1810 is decorated in gold with a sailing ship within a wreath and the caption Success to the John Blackwell. This 65-ton schooner was built in Bideford in 1862 on behalf of the Rolle Canal Co and made regular trips to Portugal and the Mediterranean. Estimate £300-400.

Bed hangings

These crewelwork bed hangings are estimated at £8000-10,000 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

One of a pair of crewelwork bed hangings, worked with a wonderful range of flora and fauna, that were originally part of the furnishings of Fulford of Great Fulford, Devon. One panel is inscribed Elizabeth Fulford No.29 and dated 1721. The panels became separated but were reunited by the Butlers who bought one at BHL and another at Lawrences of Crewkerne. Estimate £8000-10,000.

Micro-mosaic

This early 19th century Italian micro-mosaic has an estimate of £10,000-15,000 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

This early 19th century Italian micro-mosaic plaque depicts a reed and tree lined lake with a spaniel putting up wildfowl from a decoy trap. St Peter's Basilica appears in the background. Measuring a substantial 13 x 20cm in a walnut cushion frame, it is attributed to the workshop if Gioacchino Barberi (1783-1857). Estimate £10,000-15,000.

Powder horn

This early 19th century scrimshaw powder horn is estimated at £300-400 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

This early 19th century scrimshaw powder horn was acquired by the Butlers from Clem Ford, Lord of the Manor, Branscombe, in the late 1950s. In addition to the inscription J Conley and H Broom are a range of engraved motifs including a kangaroo. Estimate £300-400.

Merchant’s display model

This merchant’s display model for a Twyfords Planetas water closet is estimated at £100-150.

In the mid 1880s, Thomas William Twyford received an enquiry from a French architect that prompted him to invent the first one-piece free-standing pottery 'wash out' water closet with hinged seat. This plumber's sample or merchant's display model for a Twyfords Planetas water closet.  Estimate £100-150.

Spit jack engine

This 18th century spit jack engine is estimated at £400-500 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

This 18th century spit jack engine is a fine example of its type. Although unsigned it is probably by the Bristol maker P. Pearson who – as discussed in the Journal of The Antique Metalware Society – made these sophisticated gravity-driven geared movements for the homes of the West Country elite.  Estimate £400-500.

Claret jug

This early 19th century claret jug has an estimate of £3000-4000.

This early 19^th century claret jug is engraved with fruiting vines and the Royal arms of George Prince of Wales, the Prince Regent (later George IV). At the centre of the armorial device is the signature Lee, possibly for one of the engraver J. Lees listed at Half Moon Street, Bishopsgate, London. Estimate £3000-4000.

Harvest jug

This North Devon pottery sgraffito and slipware decorated harvest jug has an estimate of £2000-4000 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

This North Devon pottery sgraffito and slipware harvest jug is decorated with a horse drawn Durrant Common Stage Waggon (sic) approaching the Rising Sun Inn at the village of Umberleigh. A speech bubble from the wagoner reads ‘Away me Lads' while the inscription to Edmund Davey Sept. 22 1816 reads 'Fill mee full of liquor sweet for that his good when friends do meet when friends do meet and liquor plenty fill me again when I be empty'. Estimate £2000-4000.

Wooden chest

This 16th century chest has an estimate of £2000-3000 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale of the collection of Roderick and Valentine Butler on March 10.

This 16^th century oak or chestnut iron-bound chest was formerly in the church at Upper Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire. Made to allow for two padlocks, it was probably used to house the coffers or church plate. Estimate £2000-3000.

German jug

This silver-mounted German jug from 1571 has an estimate of £1000-1200.

It was not unusual for wealthy Elizabethan drinkers to have their German jugs and mugs mounted with silver decorated in the latest style with strapwork and engraved fruit and figures. This 8in (20cm) example combines a Rhenish ‘tigerware’ jug with a silver gilt mount marked for London, 1571 and the worn maker’s mark possibly for A Lombardi. An engraved coat-of-arms is for the Ellis family of Kent. It was one of the items in the sale bought at Bearnes c.1960. Estimate £1000-1500.