Oak dressers find buyers in natural Cotswolds environment

An 18th century three-drawer example with shaped frieze and turned and block front legs, 5ft 6in by 2ft 7in (1.68m x 78.8cm) made the sale’s top price when it went to a dealer at £3200.

A second plainer example with an additional middle leg was secured by a private commission bid at £2200.

In addition to dressers, the market is strong for well-carved, late 19th
century Black Forest work and a hefty 2ft (61cm) walnut mantel clock carved with St Bernard dogs, went to a London dealer over the telephone at £3000.

By contrast, the demand for davenport desks has been sticky of late. An early 19th century example veneered with goncarlo alves – a wood sometimes mistaken for mahogany – had the benefit of commercially small proportions and a good colour, 141/2in (37cm). It was contested by the trade to £2800.

Other more run-of-the-mill examples made the high hundreds.

Although there was no shortage of davenports, the same cannot be said
of good quality 18th century walnut furniture.

A walnut veneered and banded chest on later bun feet, c.1720, 3ft 2in by 3ft (98cm x 91cm), brought £2800.

Buyers could not afford to be too fussy and an early 18th century walnut veneered and featherbanded secretaire sold at £1700 to a local restorer despite no fall and structural alterations.

One of the biggest surprises was an Arts and Crafts oak bookcase with single glazed door. Buyers are willing to pay for distinctive looking Arts and Crafts furniture, and although this bookcase was not attributed to a recognised designer it brought £1300.

And an Arts and Crafts/Nouveau dealer intent on securing a René Lalique dish with raised carnations decorating the borders, bid £575.

A royal provenance did little to push up the price of a badly damaged early 19th century Staffordshire potteries armorial jug and bowl set decorated with flowers, fleur-de-lys plumes and lions surmounting crowns.

According to the vendor, it had been given to his mother as a wedding present from a Mrs Edith Bibby who in turn had been gifted it from Queen Mary.

The set is thought to originally have been made for Prince George for the Royal Pavilion, Brighton.

Tayler & Fletcher, Bourton-on-the-Water,
February 20
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent