Their policy of holding sales on Saturdays also raised eyebrows among some in the trade but after the 533-lot November sale Fieldings’ director Nicholas Davies reported a 50/50 spilt between private buyers and dealers, adding that their second sale was better in terms of “quality, turn-over and prices ” than the first.
The highlight was a privately consigned 18th century oak gateleg table, 5ft 6in by 6ft (1.67m x 1.83m), with turned baluster columns and original hinges. Although it was missing a drawer, five telephones and several room bidders contested the entry and it sold to a dealer at £9500.
An early Georgian dresser from the same consignment fetched £2800 while the trade went to £3500 for a Clarice Cliff Oranges Stamford tea set in good overall condition.
Fieldings Auctioneers, Stourbridge, November 17
Buyer’s premium: 12.5 per cent
Second Saturday proves new firm’s point
THIS was the second sale for the West Midlands firm Fieldings Auctioneers who got off to a tough start by holding their first sale in October when the market was reacting to the September 11 attacks.