“If it is reasonably estimated it will sell,’ he said. But even he admitted there were exceptions to the rule. “I can’t give away run-of-the-mill Pembroke tables,” he said. “Nobody wants them.”
The policy seemed to be pay dividends at their two-day Norfolk auction on 8-9 January where the highlight was a Regency mahogany secretaire bookcase, 3ft 41/2in (1.1m).
Purchased by the vendor for £3400 ten years ago at a Keys country house sale, flexibility on the part of the vendor enabled it to sell to a private buyer at £3000.
Mahogany extending dining tables are perennial favourites and at Norwich, an Edwardian example sold in line with expectations at £2500.
One of the most unusual entries was a plasterwork collection box modelled as a turreted country house, 111/2in (29cm), and with different size coins slots.
Mr Goodley posited a c.1800 date for what he thought may have been a church’s charity box. It sold to a dealer at £450. A more surprising trade buy was a pair of 19th century lead crystal lustres in poor condition.
Although one lustre was chipped and the other had a repaired stem, the pair was taken to £1150 by a London dealer. Elsewhere, two popular Carlton ware pieces, the Guinness Toucans, brought £300 each.
Keys, Aylsham, Norwich, January 8-9 Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Lower estimates key to sticky sales
While it is almost impossible to sell some routine furniture at present, Keys specialist Paul Goodley echoed the traditional view that attractively pitched guidelines are the key to success.
