US vendor sees better times in the UK

Healthy bidding was helped by some good quality private furniture and clock entries and the 716-lot sale totalled about £150,000.

A private American vendor had a hunch that the weak US market for English timepieces merited shipping his clocks to the UK. He was right – his consignments included several of the top prices at Bristol. Among them was a giant English quarter-striking carriage clock by Charles Frodsham, c.1850, that fetched £10,200 from a Home Counties collector.

In good condition, the clock’s appeal lay in its large size, unusual case and other features, including an underslung lever escarpment with split bimetallic balance, a Harrison’s maintaining power mechanism and a quarter strike on two gongs.

From the same consignment, an Augsberg gilt metal and silver mounted quarter striking table clock, c.1700, probably by Nicolaus Rugendas and with its original tooled leather-covered box brought a winning £5300.

A strong price was also bid for a mid-18th century joined oak dresser, probably from Denbighshire, consigned from a local house clearance. With a three-shelf plate rack, its three frieze drawers to the enclosed base made it an unusual form and it was secured by a South Midlands oak dealer at £7400.

A deceased estate produced several notable entries including musical boxes, 18th century drinking glasses and garden furniture. Top of the dozen musical boxes was a c. 1890 keywind Nicole Frères six-air example at £2100. A pair of c.1750, wine flutes fetched £400 and a pair of 19th century Chinese barrel garden seats took £650.

Elsewhere, the flamboyant design and quality of a beautifully veneered and figured early Victorian mahogany cellaret ensured it was taken to £2700 by the trade.

Bristol Auction Rooms, Bristol, March 5
Buyer’s premium: 12.77 per cent