Of the latest, he said it was a “decent enough” dispersal. “There was nothing that highly excited me in this sale,” he added, “but it was one with a fair balance all the way through.”
Topping the day were a pair of celestial and terrestrial globes by renowned 19th century London makers J.W. and G. & J. Cary and with a rather sad tale to them.
The 12in (30cm) diameter globes had been purchased in these rooms on 10 October 1998 for £12,800 by a private gentleman for his wife. But although they may have thought the world of each other then, they have since split up. Possibly they couldn’t stand each others’ latitudes but whatever the reason the globes found their way to the rostrum once again.
The pair which dated from 1816 and 1839 respectively, were in their original mahogany stands with compass dials and on turned baluster stems with tripod legs. This time around the value of the globes had fallen slightly and in the end they went to a Dutch specialist globe dealer at £10,000.
A “good commercial thing” was how Mr Finan described a Louis XV style inlaid marquetry centre table. The top of the 4ft 11/2in by 2ft 4in (1.26 x 71cm) table had ebony moulding and was decorated with a flowering urn on a rosewood ground with kingwood banding. The ebonised scroll legs were carved with shells and bells flowers and ormoulu mounted. A private buyer from Sherbourne gave the successful £3000 bid.
A set of set Regency mahogany dining chairs “did well enough for what they were”. The chairs, which had rope twist scroll backs and carved splats, were not in great condition but still attracted a London dealer to contest them to £2600. The works of art yielded a number of unexpected successes.
It is unusual to find a terracotta plant trough which has survived the ravages of time but an example offered here stamped J.M. Blasfield, Mill Wall & Paddington, London No.464 was in said to be in “spanking” condition.
The 2ft 6in by 21in (76 x 53cm) trough was carved with a classical design and was on bracket feet.
It appealed to a “top Grosvenor House” London based dealer who chased it to £2300. The same bidder took another piece a 17th century oak, bentwood, heart-shaped offertory box, another piece which survived the test of time.
It is unusual for a piece of this age with a nailed construction to survive so well so this box was something of a rarity. The centrally divided box measuring 7 by 11in (18 x 28cm) had remained untouched over the years and still retained its original colour and patination. All these factors saw the box exceed its £400-600 estimate to bring £1550.
Select offerings of tribal and japanese art found some success.
The bamboo to an important pair of bamboo vases was damaged and split but it was the “exceptional” menuki to the top of each vase which in Mr Finan’s opinion sold them.
The vases, which dated from the
19th century Meiji period, each stood at 161/2in (42cm) high and were decorated in gold lacquer and mounted with inscribed menuki.
They were a private buy at £2700.
Amongst the tribal art a fine New Hebrides hardwood club found favour.
Although the club was badly damaged Mr Finan had not seen a club such as this for many years. The head of the 19th century implement was of a flat incurving form with raised projections and was on a cylindrical shaft. It was taken it £640.
The “good honest” bits of silver were selling well.
Topping the silver was a Victorian two handled tray. The 2ft 6in (76cm) wide tray had chased floral decoration and a gadrooned border with masks and shells. It was a London trade buy at £1950.
Going to a different London dealer were a pair of George III entrée dishes of moulded rectangular form with gadrooned borders and turned ebony handles. The dishes were of good quality and were knocked down for £1550.
Not one of the best sellers but with an interesting buyer was a George III salver. The circular salver had a shell pattern border and was dated 1748 and from the workshop of London maker Ebenezer Coker. The market may be lukewarm about pieces like this 101/4in (26cm) wide salver but not the bidder – a member of the Coker family who took it at £725.
Finan & Co, Mere, October 6
Number of lots: 368
Number of lots sold: 318
Sale total: £140,510
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
Worlds apart, and seeing a drop in global values
VETERAN auctioneer Robert Finan is mainly a consultant these days but he holds two sales a year at the Old Ship Hotel at Mere and prides himself on coming up with a few pieces to interest various specialist interests.
