It came from a Spanish bidder, albeit through an intermediary, on the day’s star lot – a 19th century mahogany pull-out dining table on turned legs.
Extended, it measured 4ft 3in by 13ft (1.3m x 3.96m) and its generous proportions, evenness of colour and practicality made it a sought after lot. So pleased was the buyer with his purchase at £3000 that he is rumoured to be looking for a second example. Of course, he’ll have to look very hard before finding another auction house that still does not charge a buyer’s premium.
Furniture led the way with other strong prices including £1220 bid by the local trade for a 19th century mahogany pedestal sideboard and £860 for a pair of antique gilt-painted overmantel mirrors.
Clocks and barometers also got a look-in with a French gilt-metal mantel clock bringing £520. And in the miscellaneous section, the winning entry was a painstakingly composed scratch-built model of HMS The George, a 5ft (1.52m) long 18th century 100-gun man-of-war.
Rendells, Ashburton, Devon,
February 22-23
No buyer’s premium
A glimpse of peseta power finds a welcome in Devon
UK: THE downward spiral of the euro against sterling since the single currency was launched has been a problem for auctioneers, particularly in the South, who could once count on French, Italian and Spanish dealers keeping the lower and middle ranges of the market buoyant, so there was naturally some satisfaction for these Devon auctioneers to see a little of the old peseta power in February.
