The table, which was estimated at £800-1200 had a double gateleg action and an apron with central shell carving. In good condition and of “lovely” quality the table needed only the minimum amount of restoration and went to a Surrey dealer in the room at £3400. Other furniture successes included a late 17th/early 18th century heavily carved panelled oak coffer which had been housed for years in the main entrance hall to a house converted into flats and which the vendor believed it to be worthless. It sold, however, at £2800.
Another early piece, a 17th century walnut chest of two short and three long drawers found favour with the trade. In orginal condition and needing only a bit of work, it was taken by a dealer on the phone at £2300.
Clarice Cliff conical sugar shakers are generally keenly contested but because of the fairly common Crocus pattern of the example offered here, it was conservatively estimated at £120-180, but bidders thought better of it and a battle between two bidders on the phone lines and one in the room saw it sell at £230.
One of the more unusual offerings was a painted barrel organ on a cart. The organ, which played eight tunes needed some work to both the exterior and interior but this did not deter a local collector who had big plans for it. The collector, who planned to use the barrel organ to raise money for charity, took it at £1400.
Crow’s Auction Gallery, Dorking
November 28
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Card table trebles expectations
Good stock furniture dominated this dispersal at Crowe's Auction Gallery led by a Regency walnut foldover card table.
