The sideboard came to the September 18 sale at Banbury held by Holloways (15% buyer’s premium) from a first floor flat in a West Country town – its original housing was presumably more grand. Of classical Regency proportions, the 7ft 1in wide by 2ft 8in deep (2.15m x 81cm) breakfront sideboard with fluted supports, paw feet and mask ring mounts was lionised by auctioneer Richard Hurley. He was happy with the condition of the sideboard, but it did require restoration to the veneers.
Undeterred by this prospect, dealers from Ireland, London and the provinces took it up to £20,000.
The dresser came to the Wrexham rooms of Wingetts (11.75% buyer’s premium) from a terraced house in North Wales – like the sideboard it was the only consignment from its source – and was the hit of the September 12 sale.
The sophisticated cornice and mahogany banding to the cupboards and drawers suggested it was a Borders dresser, rather than from the heartlands, and the original condition and fine patina of the base and spice drawers (the rack was dull) encouraged strong bidding from the trade. Measuring 7ft wide by 7ft 3in high (2.13 x 2.17m), the dresser sold at £11,500 to Parry.
Five-figure lone stars prove the case for the provinces
Fresh quality stock may be thin on the ground at present, but the early 19th century mahogany sideboard and the mid-18th century oak dresser, pictured, which provided the single highlights of their respective sales, were proof that hope should not yet be abandoned.
