Certainly the October 16 sale at the Norfolk rooms got off to a fine start when the two good, market-fresh pieces of Hannah Barlow’s Doulton Lambethware, opened the day at Norfolk, both doubling their lower estimates. First up was the 81/4in (21cm) lemonade jug, shown right, typically decorated with four horses followed by a 4in (10.5cm) beaker with three horses. Both were also decorated with bands of stiff lead designs, and with etched marks and monograms the ceramics went to the same collector at £1000 and £520 respectively.
Furniture, as usual, took the higher prices and here, in addition to Mr Barfoot’s caveats, it was noticeable that the reviving market still has a keen eye on estimates. The top seller, was a large Georgian mahogany bookcase with astragal glazed doors above panelled doors and dummy doors concealing drawers. Carrying hopes of
£400-600, it sold at £3800.
Going way above hopes, however, was an early 19th century mahogany case wall clock inscribed to the large circular dial, Kaltenbach, Railway Path, Stoke Newington. Estimated at up to £400, it sold at £1700.
Barlow’s horses gallop home
Auctioneer Geoffrey Barfoot has noted increased activity at the general sales in the Campsea Ashe rooms of Abbotts (10% buyer’s premium) and the mood has spread to fine art – “provided the lots are fresh to market and good or rare”.
