Ensuite with each other, the bookcases, with cornices above pairs of astragal glazed doors and panelled cupboards below, were both cut down from a larger item.
Offered separately, the larger one at 7ft 59in (2.25m) wide took £2000 against a £1000-1500 estimate and, surprisingly, the other, at 4ft 8in (1.41m) wide brought £2300 where £500-800 had been predicted.
Ceramics offered later in the month included the pretty late 19th century Meissen porcelain centrepiece, illustrated right. Standing 191/2in (49.5cm) tall and with crossed sword marks in underglaze blue it had minor damage but went within estimate at £1650.
Stock furniture offered on the 12th saw a high casualty list but was led by an inverted breakfront Regency rosewood dwarf bookcase, 6ft 2in (1.87m) wide which went over expectations at £1600.
Sotheby’s Billingshurst
September 4, 12, 13.
Buyer’s premium: 15/10 per cent.
Pine pair of bookcases bring puzzle over prices
AUTUMN opened at Sotheby’s Sussex with a modest, but quite keenly bid for, furniture offering where the top sellers were two (7ft 6in (2.29m) William IV pine and oak bookcases.
