The shape of the basic pine carcass with its shallow concave front was not typically Maltese, but five Maltese telephone bidders were confident enough of its origins to lock horns with two UK telephone buyers, one of the former taking the commode home. Its top was decorated with an oval panel of figures while the canted sides had similar panels centred by a lion.
Furniture brought most of the top prices. A Georgian mahogany chest-on-chest with good colour and balanced proportions took £2850 while oak specialists were drawn to a 17th century bible box with three small interior drawers enclosed by a sloping hinged lid. It was secured by an Oxfordshire buyer at £500.
A good price was also achieved for a late 17th century chest that realised £1850 despite lacking colour and depth of patina.
Outside of the furniture, the biggest bidding battle was fought over a teddy bear when a determined lady finally lost out to a telephone bidder for ownership of a Steiff bear. Although it had lost its trademark button in the ear, the Steiff name was still visible on the button studs of its collar and it was secured at £1200.
Brightwells, Leominster, June 20-21
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
Maltese rivals recognise their island treasure
With the dearth of fresh-to-the-market quality antiques, the zeal with which dealers seek out sleepers ensures that few lie dormant. Such was the case at Leominster where an 18th century walnut and marquetry commode, 5ft 10in (1.78m) wide, sailed past its £2000-3000 estimate and sold at £11,800 to a Maltese buyer.
