The dapper black youth on a bamboo chair carried stamped marks no.1419/148/12 and a signature, possibly Haniroff. Given the catalogue front cover spot and an estimate of £1800-2200, the piece attracted wide trade interest but dealers were all seen off by a club owner from the North.
After winning the figure at £10,000, the insouciant club owner declined an offer to have his prize wrapped, choosing to sit it in the back seat of his car, fastening the safety belt on the figure and then heading off up the M5.
Clarice Cliff naturally figured largely among the decorative arts and a 7in (18cm) Bizarre side plate in the Carpet pattern took £420. But she was outsold by a Susie Cooper Puck pattern biscuit barrel. Dated c.1933, the 5in (13cm) piece was in superb condition and doubled the mid-estimate when a collector took it at £660.
Not included with other Nouveau pieces among the decorative arts furniture, but taking the best price, was a c.1910, 2ft 9in (80cm) diameter walnut Nouveau centre table. With a shaped-edge top over six slender shaped supports with wheat-ear carved knees and united by spiral radiating stretchers centred by a stylised poppy boss, it took £1300 against a £200-300 estimate.
Leading bids in other sections included £1150 for an 87oz four-piece silver tea and coffee service, London 1840; £2700 for a George III mahogany chest-on-chest despite problems with the lower drawers and, among the second day collectors’ items, £2700 for a pair of Queen Anne-style box-lock flintlock pistols engraved Wise Bristol.
£10,000 Goldscheider goes clubbing
The 1440 lots of 20th century decorative arts offered on the first day of the September 3,4 sale at the Bristol Auction Rooms (buyer’s premium 12.77%) included a range of ceramics, plus a dozen items of metalware and furniture, but the lot that really made the decorator trade sit up was this 4ft 1in (1.25m) terracotta creation, right, by Goldscheider.
